Media Advisory
Community-led legislative priorities will offer a bold approach to big problems facing children and families
Collaboration brings together 37 local organizations and the legislative Keiki Caucus to tackle economic, education, health challenges
Contact: Ryan Catalani
[email protected]
(808) 531-5502 ext. 4
Who: Deborah Zysman, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network
Rep. John Mizuno and Sen. Karl Rhoades, Keiki Caucus co-conveners
Jessica Histo, Hawaiʻi Diaper Bank
Stephen Morse, Blueprint for Change
What: Press conference with community and legislative leaders to announce package of bills benefitting Hawaiʻi’s children and families
When: Friday, January 24 at Noon
Where: Hawaiʻi State Capitol, Room 423
HONOLULU, January 22, 2019 — On Jan. 24 at the Capitol, community and legislative leaders will unveil a bold vision for tackling some of Hawaiʻi’s most pressing issues facing children and families.
The well-being of Hawaiʻi’s children ranks only 24th in the nation, and nearly half of Hawaiʻi’s families struggle to afford basic needs. The fourth annual Hawaiʻi Children’s Policy Agenda, convened by Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network, brings together 25 policy priorities from 37 organizations and advocates. Along with the legislative Keiki Caucus package, these initiatives will improve the health, education, and economic well-being of Hawaiʻi’s children and families.
One major initiative would create a statewide Paid Family Leave program, which Hawaiʻi is ready to implement thanks to a recent nonpartisan study commissioned by the Legislature. Paid Family Leave would allow all workers to take paid, job-protected leave to care for their families. It’s an affordable policy that would benefit both family well-being and the economy.
Community leaders will also highlight proposals that would make diapers more affordable for low-income families and create a family visitation center at Waiawa Correctional Center. The Keiki Caucus co-conveners will also share their legislative package priorities.
Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network is a nonprofit creating a unified voice for Hawaiʻi’s children. Its grassroots movement strives to ensure that all keiki are safe, healthy, and ready to learn. For more information, visit http://www.hawaii-can.org.
The Keiki Caucus, established in 1994, is a bipartisan group of House and Senate members joined by more than 100 community advocates including non-profits, educators, businesses, and parent groups to develop proposals and initiatives to benefit Hawai‘i’s youth.