Podcasts about kids act

Send us a textIn this episode of Surviving-ISH, we pull back the veil on the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI)—a multi-billion dollar machine built on the broken spirits of children. We are joined by Tabitha, a survivor of the notorious Tranquility Bay in Jamaica and a relentless force for change.Tabitha isn't just sharing her story; she is leading a revolution. From the harrowing memories of overseas "treatment" to the systemic failures that leave survivors homeless and unheard, we explore the dark reality of an industry that operates in the shadows.But there is hope on the horizon. We break down the Protect the Kids Act—a landmark bill designed to dismantle the TTI by banning out-of-country placements and enforcing strict mental health oversight.  PLEASE SIGN & SHARE OUR PETITION:https://c.org/8BXpyZKnrz#SurvivorsUnrestrained #ProtectTheKids #TTI #ChildAdvocacy WE NEED YOUR HELP — RIGHT NOW. For decades, children in “youth residential programs,” wilderness camps, and the so-called Troubled Teen Industry have been abused, silenced, and taken far from home with no federal protections.It's time to change that.Survivors Unrestrained just launched a national petition demanding Congress pass the Protect Kids Act — a federal bill that would finally protect ALL children in every youth residential program in America.This bill will: Require a licensed clinician to determine if residential treatment is medically necessary Ban forced transport (“gooning”) STOP sending children across state lines without medical justification Completely ban sending children out of the country Require a 24/7 licensed clinician on site Ban seclusion, punishment-based restraint, and deprivation Guarantee communication rights so kids can call home and report abuse Protect foster youth from being institutionalized due to lack of beds Protect court-ordered youth with strict medical, legal, and safety standards Require accredited education and real medical/mental health care Mandate federal transparency and data reporting Create a Survivor-Led Federal Inspection Task Force to expose abuse Hold owners and staff accountable through background checks and oversight…and so much more.For the first time in U.S. history, this bill would create REAL federal protections for kids — because NO child should ever become a survivor of institutional abuse. This bill was created with survivor leadership, but it protects EVERY child.And now we need YOUR voice. Support the show

President Trump delivers remarks from the White House surrounding the signing of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, framing the legislation as a major win for American farmers, schoolchildren, and parental choice. The event centers on restoring whole and reduced-fat milk to school lunch programs, reversing prior nutrition policies, and aligning federal food standards with updated dietary guidelines emphasizing real food. Trump, joined by cabinet officials, lawmakers, medical professionals, and dairy farmers, highlights the health benefits of whole milk, its role in child development, and the economic impact on rural communities. Beyond the bill signing, Trump addresses executive actions on critical minerals and semiconductor supply chains, outlining new tariff structures and national security considerations. He also responds to questions on Iran, Venezuela, Greenland, NATO, tariffs, inflation, manufacturing growth, and U.S. trade leverage, emphasizing economic resurgence, energy policy, and geopolitical positioning. The briefing concludes with media Q&A touching on global security, sanctions, and industrial expansion.

Why do kids often act so differently at school than they do at home? In this episode, you'll learn how skills like adaptability and “theory of mind” develop over time, why younger kids struggle more with behavior shifts, and how structure, transitions, and social pressure shape school-day behavior. We explore concepts like afterschool restraint collapse, social battery depletion, and masking—and why post-school meltdowns are usually a good sign, in that your home is a place your kid feels safe. You'll learn some practical strategies for making things easier, including creating afterschool rituals, using visual schedules, feeding kids early and often, collaborating with teachers, and getting curious instead of reactive when behavior changes. Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Our Fresh Take with Ryan Wexelblatt Beth Arky for Child Mind Institute: "Why Are Kids Different at Home and at School?" Sign up for What Fresh Hell Plus on Supporting Cast to get all episodes ad-free, plus monthly bonus episodes. Supporting Cast works right where you already listen! Go to whatfreshhell.supportingcast.fm to subscribe in two taps for just $4.99 a month, or $39.99 a year. What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ Get 50% Off Monarch Money, the all-in-one financial tool at ⁠www.monarchmoney.com/FRESH Ready to raise money-smart kids? Start now with your first month FREE at acornsearly.com/FRESH! What Fresh Hell podcast, mom friends, funny moms, parenting advice, parenting experts, parenting tips, mothers, families, parenting skills, parenting strategies, parenting styles, busy moms, self-help for moms, manage kid's behavior, teenager, tween, child development, family activities, family fun, parent child relationship, decluttering, kid-friendly, invisible workload, default parent, kids behave differently at school and home, afterschool restraint collapse, child behavior school vs home, parenting behavior issues, why kids melt down after school, child development theory of mind, school transitions and kids, emotional regulation in children, social battery kids, parenting strategies after school, collaboration with teachers, child behavior communication Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your child's having a full-blown meltdown in public—or your teen is acting up and disrespecting you - eyes are on you, your stress is rising, and you just want to disappear. What do you do? In this episode, Sean and Jordan share powerful tools to handle those embarrassing, high-pressure moments with confidence and calm. Learn how to regulate your emotions, protect your child's dignity, and turn a public breakdown into a private moment of connection and teaching.

When your child is acting out or misbehaving, what is the right response? Dr. Roger Smith clarifies that while children need discipline, it's about much more than just punishment—it's mostly about training. This episode offers essential wisdom on how to respond to misbehavior: Prioritize the Goal: Your motive should always be to help your child grow, not stop them from embarrassing you. Time It Right: When a child's emotion is high, their listening is low. Learn when to remove a child from a situation to help them regain control before initiating training. Stay United: Always make sure your child knows that you are on their team, even when correcting their mistakes. Discover how to use judgment, emotional control, and the right timing to transform misbehavior into an opportunity for growth. Visit me at: https://rogersmithmd.com/ This has been a production of ThePodcastUpload.com 

The Senate unanimously passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, and Federal trade data shows, U.S. ethanol exports climbed sharply in August, driven by record sales to Canada and the European Union.

New legislation could expand milk choices in schools and influence California's dairy sector.

Dairy farmers and school children just received some welcome news, with the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act.

Two state attorneys general are taking major steps to tighten online age verification and protect minors. Florida's AG filed lawsuits against adult content sites under the state's new Age Verification Law, while New York's AG proposed detailed rules to implement the SAFE for Kids Act—setting out standards for parental consent, age assurance, and privacy protections. Together, these actions show how states are pushing beyond federal requirements, signaling that companies must prepare for evolving and highly technical compliance expectations. Hosted by Simone Roach. Based on a blog post by Paul L. Singer, Abigail Stempson, Beth Bolen Chun, and Andrea deLorimier.

Analysis on upcoming TSD Conference education, National Association for Pupil Transportation election results, the Federal Brake for Kids Act and the Federal Communications Commission revoking E-Rate eligibility of school bus Wi-Fi. Jeff Cassell, president of the School Bus Safety Company, discusses the need for safety leadership training, removing risk and reducing accidents in student transportation. Glenna Wright-Gallo, vice president of policy at neurotechnology software company Everway, has worked at the state government level and served as the assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services. At the TSD Conference this November, she brings her perspective as a person with a disability on educating and empowering individuals with disabilities. Read more about safety and special needs. Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Bus Safety Co. & RIDE. 

California and Delaware AGs are pressing OpenAI on child safety, warning that its recapitalization plan is subject to review and urging stronger safeguards. At the same time, AG Bonta backed California's LEAD for Kids Act, which would restrict companion chatbots for minors unless strict protections are in place. For legal, compliance, and product teams, these actions signal rising state-level scrutiny of AI and potential penalties for companies that design chatbots without adequate safeguards. Hosted by Simone Roach. Based on a blog post by Paul Singer, Abby Stempson, Beth Chun, and Andrea deLorimier

Photo by S. Sobotta Comprehensive coverage of the day's news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubles down in the face of global pressure to stop the war in Gaza. https://kpfa.org/app/uploads/2025/09/KPFA-Sharon.mp3 Palestinians in Gaza react to the countries that have recognized Palestinian statehood.https://kpfa.org/app/uploads/2025/09/KPFA-Rami.mp3 Georgetown University is in the national spotlight this week after flyers posted on campus were referred to the FBI.https://kpfa.org/app/uploads/2025/09/KPFA-Dalilah-9-26.mp3 Advocates and parents rally for the passage of AB1064,  Leading Ethical AI Development  for Kids Act. https://kpfa.org/app/uploads/2025/09/KPFAAnetta.mp3 The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – September 26, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!When your child's tone, excuses, or sneaky moments feel eerily familiar, it can trigger real fear - are we replaying my partner's behaviors? In this episode, we unpack the difference between normal child development and harmful adult patterns. We dig into nature vs. nurture (genes load the gun; environment pulls the trigger), why kids' emotional immaturity is expected while adult immaturity is damaging, and how to respond without projecting old wounds onto your child.You'll learn simple, repeatable tools: name the trigger (“I'm reacting to my spouse, not my kid”), pause before correcting, teach emotional language, model repair and accountability, hold consistent boundaries, and spot the red flags that deserve closer attention. We'll also share how one stable, nurturing parent can shift a child's trajectory - and why your day-to-day modeling matters more than DNA.Find video clips and full length video from this episode on YouTube and our other social media pages!On the web:www.twfo.comSupport the Show:Buy Us a Coffee!Online Program: www.independentlystrong.comSoberlink Device:www.soberlink.com/wheelsCheck out our blog:https://twfo.com/blogFollow us on TikTok:https://tiktok.com/@twfo_coupleFollow us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/twfo_couple/Follow us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TWFOCoupleFollow us on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@twfo_coupleFind Taylor Counseling Group:https://taylorcounselinggroup.com/Donate to Counseling for the Future Foundation:Donate Here

A regulator has accused NVIDIA of violating China's antitrust laws over its acquisition of chipmaker Mellanox. In its preliminary findings of an investigation it commenced in December, the State Administration for Market Regulation claimed that the company breached both national regulations and the conditional terms China outlined when it rubber-stamped the $6.9 billion takeover. Also, on Monday, the state's Attorney General Letitia James released more specifics about what the SAFE for Kids Act will entail in practice. And, Valve has apparently updated its Steam Early Access policy to no longer accept games with what the company deems to be "mature themes." As first reported by Gamesmarkt earlier this month, gaming studio Dammitbird, which develops the adult adventure game Heavy Hearts, was not allowed to put the title on Steam Early Access because of its content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As NSTA: The Bus Stop winds down its 6th Anniversary month, Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes a returning guest, Shane Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of Palmer Bus Service, Co-Chair of the Government Relations Committee. He also serves as a member of the NSTA Board of Directors. Shane shares insight from his journey into the student transportation industry and his path to a leadership position at Palmer Bus Service. The duo discuss his recent appointment as Co-Chair of NSTA's Government Relations Committee, his priorities for advancing advocacy initiatives, and his efforts in working with Rep. Pete Stauber's office to sponsor the “Brake for Kids” Act. Shane also provides an update on the unique political landscape for school bus contractors to navigate in Minnesota and how state-level advocacy can align with federal efforts in order to strengthen the industry. Switching gears, Shane talks about his own podcast, The Morning Route, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at its growth and direction. Curt asks Shane about his personal interests outside of work, and how these activities help him to stay balanced. Tune in to hear Shane's perspectives on leadership, advocacy, and storytelling in student transportation. Become a podcast subscriber and don't miss an episode of NSTA: The Bus Stop - NSTA Vendor Partners should reach out to us to take advantage of our comprehensive advertising package that reaches your target audience - student transportation professionals!Support the show

Is your toddler screaming at bedtime? Is your teen suddenly moody or defiant? Before you blame "bad behavior," take a breath. Dr. Wendy Hunter shares four real stories—from an 11-month-old to a 14-year-old—to show why acting out is often a cry for help, not disrespect. Learn how emotional dysregulation can look like defiance and discover calm, practical ways to respond. You'll walk away feeling more confident—and more connected to your child. You're not alone, and you're doing better than you think!    Read:  The Explosive Child by Ross Greene  Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka  Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids by Dr. Laura Markham    Send your questions to hello@pediatriciannextdoorpodcast.com or submit at drwendyhunter.com  Find products from the show on the shop page.   *As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.    More from The Pediatrician Next Door:    Website: drwendyhunter.com   Instagram: @the_pediatrician_next_door  Facebook: facebook.com/wendy.l.hunter.75  TikTok: @drwendyhunter  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drwendyhunter    This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast  IG: @reddrockmusic  www.reddrockmusic.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Take It Down Act has passed congress! As it heads to the president's desk for signing, Haley McNamara sits down with Eleanor Gaetan (VP and Director of Public Policy at NCOSE) to discuss what this law does, why it's needed, and what's next on the horizon for protecting kids online. They also discuss the momentum we are seeing at the state level for the Safer Devices for Kids Act, which requires device manufacturers to have safety settings ON by default. Contact us here: public@ncose.com Read more about the TAKE IT DOWN Act passing: EndSexualExploitation.org blog Learn about the Safer Devices for Kids Act: EndSexualExploitation.org/Device-Protection-Bill Watch the video version of this podcast episode here: https://youtu.be/BiI8YQ05kX4

Growing evidence links heavy social‑media use to rising anxiety, bullying, and sextortion among kids, and state lawmakers are racing to respond. In this interview, Harvard Law School's Leah Plunkett—reporter for the Uniform Law Commission's child‑influencer act—and University of Virginia family‑law scholar Naomi Cahn examine how new statutes seek to verify age, require parental consent, and redesign feeds to curb addictive features.Plunkett and Cahn compare Florida's and Utah's sweeping under‑14 account bans with New York's pending “SAFE for Kids Act,” explore design mandates such as late‑night notification curfews, and explain why long‑standing COPPA rules leave teens largely unprotected. They unpack First Amendment and privacy challenges already moving through the courts, highlight emerging “digital Coogan” laws that safeguard child‑creator earnings, and note international moves—from Australia's proposed under‑16 ban to the U.K.'s Age‑Appropriate Design Code.(Credits: General 1.5 hrs | MCLE available to TalksOnLaw “Premium” or “Podcast” members. Visit www.talksonlaw.com to learn more.)

Growing evidence links heavy social‑media use to rising anxiety, bullying, and sextortion among kids, and state lawmakers are racing to respond. In this interview, Harvard Law School's Leah Plunkett—reporter for the Uniform Law Commission's child‑influencer act—and University of Virginia family‑law scholar Naomi Cahn examine how new statutes seek to verify age, require parental consent, and redesign feeds to curb addictive features.Plunkett and Cahn compare Florida's and Utah's sweeping under‑14 account bans with New York's pending “SAFE for Kids Act,” explore design mandates such as late‑night notification curfews, and explain why long‑standing COPPA rules leave teens largely unprotected. They unpack First Amendment and privacy challenges already moving through the courts, highlight emerging “digital Coogan” laws that safeguard child‑creator earnings, and note international moves—from Australia's proposed under‑16 ban to the U.K.'s Age‑Appropriate Design Code.(Credits: General 1.5 hrs | MCLE available to TalksOnLaw “Premium” or “Podcast” members. Visit www.talksonlaw.com to learn more.)

When kids act out - whether it's stealing, shutting down, pushing boundaries, or having emotional outbursts - how can we respond in ways that guide them toward growth rather than shame?Today, we explore two powerful real-life situations:A young10-year old boy who stole money from his mentor:  What was driving his behavior, and how could adults respond in a way that fosters learning instead of punishment?A seven-year-old struggling with his parents' divorce: How can his mother support his overwhelming emotions without taking on his distress or trying to “fix” his sadness?Through these stories, we unpack the difference between control and connection, how to set limits without losing warmth, and why holding space for kids' emotions is the key to their long-term resilience.Tune in as we explore - 2:24 Opening thoughts3:21 I'm dealing with a child who stole money and could use some help with a conversation.7:29 I don't like how I showed up and I want to bring something new to the conversation22:13 How can I help my son cope with his new home?Please share with your family and friends! Use PODCAST50 to get $50 off tuition for my Spring Deep Dive, The Art of Repair Work: From Regret to Resilience. Group starts on March 31st for 8 weeks, so register early to save your space. For ongoing practice and deeper learning, join my monthly membership program. You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans. Subscribe & Follow:Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.Thank you for listening! Here are more ways to connect with me: Become a member of my online learning community Join my Spring Deep Dive: The Art of Repair Work Join our calls live Set up a private session Follow me on TikTok @dr.yvetteerasmus

Join the conversation with C4 & Bryan Nehman.  C4 & Bryan kicked off the show talking the weather conditions with Scott Wykoff.  Elon Musk held court in the oval office.  President Trump met with King Abdullah II over Gaza.  C4 & Bryan also discussed the for kids act which could tax sugary drinks up to $500 million dollars a year. Howard County Schools Superintendent Bill Barnes joined the show discussing virtual learning practices, the budget & more.  Kath Klausmeir & Bob Cassilly are against a increase in budget.  Listen to C4 & Bryan Nehman live weekdays from 5:30 to 10am on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM 101.5 & the WBAL Radio App.

In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I respond to a heartfelt question from Heather, a mom navigating divorce while helping her young child through big emotions and challenging behaviors like aggression and biting. I discuss how changes in relationships—such as a deployed parent, a changing caregiver, or shifting custody arrangements—can deeply impact a child's sense of stability and security. I explain why behaviors like biting and aggression often stem from emotional overwhelm rather than defiance and share practical, child-centered strategies to help guide children through these struggles. I also walk through limit-setting techniques that preserve the parent-child relationship while teaching emotional regulation and self-control. From handling aggression in the moment to reinforcing choices and natural consequences, I provide a clear framework for parents to set boundaries with confidence and consistency. If you're struggling with similar challenges, this episode will give you the tools to respond with empathy, structure, and intentionality. Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/ Common References: Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge. Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

Brian Dembowcyzk, author of "Family Discipleship That Works," talks about how we can do more than pass on head knowledge about Jesus, and help our children see the beauty of living like Jesus.  Gale Kragt of Spiritual Care Consultants talks about how we can challenge the lies we believe, embrace God's truth about ourselves, and allow that to changes our lives.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Family Life News Anchor Sarah Harnisch sits down with licensed Christian counselor Chris Anderson to talk about New York's new SAFE Act that sets limits on social media companies for kids and teens.

Ever notice how your child's mood is often dictated by what they are consuming online? New York has recently signed into law the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act which requires parental consent before use by under 18's. Social media law expert Sarah Hoffman weighs in on the topic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Cyber Matters, Tanner Wilburn and Katherine Kennelly cover a wide range of cybersecurity, privacy, and regulatory news. The episode begins with a discussion of the Department of Commerce's final determination prohibiting Kaspersky Lab from providing antivirus software and cybersecurity services in the United States.  Tanner then delves into the ongoing challenges with the SEC's cyber disclosure rules that went into effect in December 2023. Many companies have been using cautious language in their Form 8-K filings, often stating that they have not yet determined the materiality of cyber incidents. The SEC has issued further clarifications, including guidance on how companies should assess and disclose ransomware attacks. Katherine discusses the American Privacy Rights Act, which was unexpectedly pulled from a congressional hearing. The pair then covers the Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act (PADFA), which took effect on June 23. This act establishes new restrictions on data brokers transferring sensitive personal data to foreign adversary countries, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Tanner and Katherine cover several significant court decisions. These include a ruling from the Northern District of Texas in American Hospital Association v. Becerra, which challenged the Department of Health and Human Services' definition of individually identifiable health information. The Supreme Court's decision in Murthy v. Missouri, addressing government involvement in social media content moderation, is also discussed. Additionally, they touch on the landmark Supreme Court decision overturning the Chevron deference doctrine and its potential effect on the administrative state. (More to come on future episodes).  State-level privacy legislation is a major focus of this episode, with Tanner highlighting three new state privacy laws taking effect on July 1: the Oregon Consumer Privacy Act, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, and the Florida Digital Bill of Rights Act. He discusses unique aspects of each law and notes Texas's aggressive approach to enforcement. The podcast also covers other state-level developments, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's veto of a cybersecurity safe harbor bill, Vermont's failure to pass a privacy bill, and Rhode Island's enactment of comprehensive privacy legislation. Katherine examines New York's newly enacted child and teen online safety bills, the New York Child Data Protection Act and the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act. Tanner then discusses California's third CCPA settlement, involving Tilting Point Media and its mobile gaming app. International cooperation in privacy regulation is touched upon, with Tanner noting the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) signing a partnership agreement with France's data protection authority (CNIL) for joint research and information sharing. The episode concludes with discussions on several other topics, including a lawsuit by the Arkansas Attorney General against Temu, Project Veritas challenging an Oregon privacy law before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Microsoft's blog post on "skeleton key" AI jailbreak techniques, and a brief mention of a Neiman Marcus hack. __________________________ Questions, comments, and feedback can go to cybermatterspodcast@gmail.com, and dont forget to subscribe to the podcast and share with your network.  Thanks for joining us, and we'll see you next week! _______________________ Links Mentioned in the show: https://www.bakerlaw.com/insights/northern-district-of-texas-flashes-the-blue-lights-on-ocrs-pixel-guidance/

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill that would allow parents to block their children from getting social media posts suggested by a platform's algorithm, a move to limit feeds critics argue are addictive. Pags gives his thoughts.

Car Jitsu , Panty Fetish & The Safe For Kids ActSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Ferguson in the Morning 06-21-24 Mary Theresa McLean from the St. Louis GOP talks about solutions for the city. We discuss New York Gov. Hochul signing legislation barring social media companies from bombarding children with “addictive” feeds in the nation's first “SAFE for Kids Act.” Story here: https://nypost.com/2024/06/20/us-news/ny-gov-kathy-hochul-signs-bill-banning-addictive-social-media-feeds-for-kids-the-first-in-the-nation/   NewsTalkSTL website: https://newstalkstl.com/ Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsTalkSTL Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/NewstalkSTL Livestream 24/7: http://bit.ly/newstalkstlstreamSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 3: 5:05pm- Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Election Attorney Linda Kerns join The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss their tireless efforts to protect the integrity of the 2024 election. Visit https://protectthevote.com/pennsylvania/ to learn more about volunteering as a poll watcher or worker in Pennsylvania. And you can find Kerns at: www.lindakernslaw.com. 5:20pm- National Review's Andrew C. McCarthy wonders, “have we seen the last of the Trump trials?” He writes: “I don't think so. Or let me at least put it this way: I think those who look at the calendar, look at the negative reaction in much of the country to Alvin Bragg's patently politicized prosecution of [Donald] Trump, and pronounce lawfare at an end are overconfident.” You can read the full article here: https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/have-we-seen-the-last-of-the-trump-trials/ 5:40pm- On Thursday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the SAFE for Kids Act arguing that “our kids are worth fighting for.” But does this new legislation give the state's Attorney General far too much regulatory power over social media? It certainly seems like it. Rich notes that the bill also seems to do away with anonymity online. 5:55pm- While appearing on The View, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci said the only crime he is guilty of is “trying to save people's lives.”

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (06/20/2024): 3:05pm- During a CNN panel discussion, host Dana Bash suggested she is hesitant to play videos of Joe Biden for fear that snippets of the content will be used to portray the president as old and feeble. Earlier this week, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre baselessly claimed that Republicans were using “cheap fakes” to make President Biden look bad. But, as Rich notes, the videos are not fake, and no one is making them look any worse than they otherwise would be—Biden is making himself look bad all on his own. 3:30pm- During last week's G7 meeting in Italy, a video went viral when Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni appeared to corral President Joe Biden who—at that moment—was staring into the woods. Biden's campaign team has argued that the video is a “cheap fake,” and that the zoomed in version of the original video fails to display a paratrooper Biden was speaking with. However, as Matt explains, the original version of the video may be even more damning than the “cheap fake!” 3:40pm- Speaking with Anderson Cooper on CNN, New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman revealed that Donald Trump is taking next week's presidential debate very seriously, working tirelessly to prepare for it. 3:45pm- While appearing on MSNBC, former Meet the Press host Chuck Todd told Katy Tur that Donald Trump appears to be getting his 2016 “swagger” back—which could be bad news for Joe Biden in the 2024 election. 4:05pm- Elizabeth Pipko—Spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's upcoming campaign rally at Temple University's campus in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, June 22nd. Pipko is a former model, a 2016 Trump campaign staffer, and author of the book, “Finding My Place: Making My Parents' American Dream Come True.” 4:30pm- If you could give former President Donald Trump one piece of advice prior to next week's presidential debate, what would it be? Listeners react—explaining that Trump should focus on the economy and foreign policy (not personal insults). Others say Trump should avoid becoming entangled in claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him. Above all, most listeners agree that Trump must remain positive and optimistic by highlighting his record as president. 5:05pm- Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Election Attorney Linda Kerns join The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss their tireless efforts to protect the integrity of the 2024 election. Visit https://protectthevote.com/pennsylvania/ to learn more about volunteering as a poll watcher or worker in Pennsylvania. And you can find Kerns at: www.lindakernslaw.com. 5:20pm- National Review's Andrew C. McCarthy wonders, “have we seen the last of the Trump trials?” He writes: “I don't think so. Or let me at least put it this way: I think those who look at the calendar, look at the negative reaction in much of the country to Alvin Bragg's patently politicized prosecution of [Donald] Trump, and pronounce lawfare at an end are overconfident.” You can read the full article here: https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/have-we-seen-the-last-of-the-trump-trials/ 5:40pm- On Thursday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the SAFE for Kids Act arguing that “our kids are worth fighting for.” But does this new legislation give the state's Attorney General far too much regulatory power over social media? It certainly seems like it. Rich notes that the bill also seems to do away with anonymity online. 5:55pm- While appearing on The View, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci said the only crime he is guilty of is “trying to save people's lives.” 6:05pm- In his latest piece, Shawn McCreesh of The New York Times bizarrely claims Donald Trump is trying to reset expectations for next week's presidential debate, explaining: “The former president has set a low bar for President Biden's performance at next week's matchup. Now, he is preparing supporters for the possibility that Mr. Biden clears it.” You can read the full article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/19/us/politics/trump-biden-debate-expectations.html 6:15pm- During a CNN panel discussion, host Dana Bash suggested she is hesitant to play videos of Joe Biden for fear that snippets of the content will be used to portray the president as old and feeble. Earlier this week, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre baselessly claimed that Republicans were using “cheap fakes” to make President Biden look bad. But, as Rich notes, the videos are not fake, and no one is making them look any worse than they otherwise would be—Biden is making himself look bad all on his own. 6:25pm- While appearing on MSNBC, former Meet the Press host Chuck Todd told Katy Tur that Donald Trump appears to be getting his 2016 “swagger” back—which could be bad news for Joe Biden in the 2024 election. 6:50pm- Katie Jerkovich of The Daily Wire writes: “A sequel to the 1987 Mel Brooks monster hit ‘Star Wars' parody ‘Spaceballs' is in the works, with actor Josh Gad and Brooks on board producing the upcoming film. Amazon MGM Studios confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that a sequel to the 1980s comedy is in early development with Gad not only on board to produce, but star in as well.” You can read the full story here: https://www.dailywire.com/news/spaceballs-2-is-happening-with-mel-brooks-producing

In this episode of The Tech Jawn, we cover Apple's World Wide Developer Conference Keynote. Brothech breaks down the new hotness coming to visionOS 2, iOS and iPad OS 18, WatchOS 11, and macOS Sequoia. TechLifeSteph catches us up with the saga of the phantom system data on her new Macbook Air. To make a long story short, Steph had to make a trip to the Genius Bar.And we wrap things up by talking about New York's new Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act. The bill, expected to be passed into law by New York's governor, essentially outlaws algorithmic feeds for children.Link to Show Notes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to “Sara Gonzales Unfiltered”! In this episode, we dive into the latest updates on Donald Trump's classified documents case and the controversial FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago. We reveal explosive new filings showing the FBI's authorization of deadly force, including staged photos and a potential confrontation with the Secret Service. The episode explores the political persecution of Trump, with 91 indictments raising questions even among average Americans. We discuss the severe economic downturn, which has families relying on savings, credit cards, and payday loans to afford groceries in 2024. Fast food prices at McDonald's and Taco Bell have risen by well over 100% due to rising fuel costs, supply chain issues, and government fiscal policies. Both political parties have contributed to this economic crisis that is affecting all Americans. Additionally, Google and Meta are opposing two New York bills aimed at protecting children from social media addiction. The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act aim to limit social media companies' use of addictive feeds and protect minors' personal data. Despite nearly $1 million spent lobbying against these bills, parents must recognize the dangers these platforms pose and protect their children. We also discuss how industries often scapegoat individuals to appease public outrage, drawing parallels between Harvey Weinstein's case and the current situation with Sean "Diddy" Combs. Despite the portrayal of Combs as the sole bad actor, many others have been complicit in perpetuating misconduct. BlazeTV contributors Jaco Booyens and Eric July join the show.   Today's Sponsors: PreBorn! To donate, dial #250 and say the keyword "baby" or go to https://preborn.com/sara Jase Medical Go to https://jasemedical.com and enter code SARA at checkout for a discount on your order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Live Q&A Replay, Kris sits down with Elizabeth Woning to talk about the Protect Kids Act 2024. Sexuality in culture is much different than it was 25 years ago. Today, culture will say that gender is fluid, and the biology of someone is not held as the truth anymore. Elizabeth shares the reality of the LGBTQ+ movement and how it impacts our kids. Later on in the episode, they talk about the Protect Kids Act of 2024, a piece of legislation that takes measures to protect children from some of the ramifications of this movement! https://protectkidsca.com/ https://changedmovement.com/ Connect with Kris Vallotton: Website: https://www.krisvallotton.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kvministries/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kvministries/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kvministries Additional Resources by Kris Vallotton: https://shop.bethel.com/collections/kris-vallotton About Kris Vallotton: Kris Vallotton is the Senior Associate Leader of Bethel Church, Redding, and is the Co-Founder of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM) and Spiritual Intelligence Institute. He is also the Founder and President of Moral Revolution and a sought-after international conference speaker. Kris and his wife, Kathy, have trained, developed, and pastored prophetic teams and supernatural schools all over the world.

Gender confusion and questioning has massively increased in each successive generation with some reports stating 30% of Gen-Z identifying as LGBTQ. Why is this? What can we understand with it? How do we make a shift? The Protect Kids Act 2024 is a key that all individuals can take part of now. This measure is needs 500,000 signatures by April 18, 2024 to get added to the November ballot. The protect kids act: - Protects Women's Sports (creating safe spaces for biological females) - Requires Parental Notification (if a student begins to socially transition) - Prevents Childhood Sterilization (from irreversible puberty blockers & surgeries) Find out more at: protectkidsca.com Download the petition at: protectkidsca.com/sign-petitions/ Download the media kit to share: Media Kit --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moral-revolution/support

It's very common for all humans- kids and adults- to have more behavior struggles and dysregulation. Kids with vulnerable nervous systems, as well as attachment trauma, are especially likely to demonstrate some confusing patterns with regard to where they are regulated and where they aren't. In this episode, you'll learnThe neurobiology behind why it's normal for kids (and adults) to behave better at school (or work or out shopping or wherever)How the connections in a family could be the trigger for dysregulationHow all families tend to have moments that ebb and flow in dysregulation- this is normalResources mentioned in this podcast:The Tragedy of Disorganized Attachment (Part 5 of 6) {EP 38}Stress Response System {EP 94}When Connection Isn't Safe {158}Read the full transcript at:  Follow Me On:FacebookInstagramOver on my website you can find:Webinar and eBook on Focus on the Nervous System to Change Behavior (FREE)eBook on The Brilliance of Attachment (FREE)LOTS & LOTS of FREE ResourcesOngoing support, connection, and co-regulation for struggling parents: The ClubYear-Long Immersive & Holistic Training Program for Parenting Professionals: Being With***Hey, if you listen to podcasts, you'll probably love listening to Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors on audiobook! Download it on Audible or wherever you get your audiobooks!*** :::Overwhelmed and unsure where to start? Check out the START HERE podcast- I put it together just to answer the question "Where do I start?" Get your invitation at RobynGobbel.com/StartHere :::::Want to pick Robyn's brain, hang out with her in Zoom meetings and a forum you can access in an app? Come join us in The Club!Are you a professional who wants to support families of kids with big, baffling behaviors? Then Being With is for you!Just need a little extra help? Head to RobynGobbel.com/FreeResources

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about the uncertainty parents and school administrators have faced since the Invest in Kids Act expired at the beginning of the year.   

They don't listen. Don't obey. They misbehave.Act lazy.Defiant.Blame.Whine.Argue.This episode will help.Listen and learn the secrets to reaching your kids' hearts.Go deeper with Sean at www.SaveMyFamily.us

Educational freedom is one of the pillars of this show in 2024 and coming back to discuss just that here in the state of Illinois is Mailee Smith of Illinois Policy. What's up with the future of the now-dead Invest in Kids Act and educational freedom in the state. Also, how have unions affected that and so much more in the state and locally in Chicago as well. If this is here, it's coming to a locality or state near you soon too. Find Mailee's work here: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/union-membership-in-illinois-hits-record-low/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's highlight the times when children are the ones leading by example.   Amidst tales from the gift shop to the pickleball courts, I uncover a parallel universe to school where the expected roles of decorum are often flipped. 

On this topical show re-air, Crystal welcomes Dr. Stephan Blanford, Executive Director of Children's Alliance, for a wide-ranging conversation on childcare. They delve into the importance of childcare as an economic driver and its societal impacts through preparing kids for success in school and life. A review of the state of childcare in Washington reveals that this critical resource is often out-of-reach for those who need it most and looks at the factors that make it inaccessible and expensive. Crystal and Dr. Blanford then discuss how various stakeholders can make an impact on the issue at all levels of government. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available below and at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Twitter at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii, find Dr. Stephan Blanford at @StephanBlanford and Children's Alliance at @ChildAllianceWA.   Dr. Stephan Blanford As the Executive Director of Children's Alliance, Dr. Stephan Blanford leads a team of committed staff, volunteers and more than 6,000 members, advocating fiercely for the improved outcomes for children in Washington state. As an unapologetic advocate for racial and social justice, Stephan's work has ranged from early learning to college entrance leading small, direct service youth development agencies to multidisciplinary demonstration projects. In 2013, he was elected by the voters of Seattle and served a four-year term on the Seattle School Board, where he received the “Leadership for Equity” award at the conclusion of his term. More recently, the Evergreen Chapter of the American Society of Public Administrators awarded him the “Billy J. Frank Race and Social Justice” award for leadership and advocacy. Extending his work at a national level, he is the board chair of Integrated Schools and serves on the board of Partnership for America's Children, Balance our Tax Code Coalition, and several other progressive organizations. Dr. Blanford holds a Bachelors' degree in Social Justice from Antioch University, a Masters in Public Policy from the Evans School of Governance and Public Policy and a Doctorate from the College of Education at the University of Washington.   Resources Children's Alliance   Washington Child Care Collaborative Task Force | Washington State Department of Commerce   2023 KIDS Count Data Book | Annie E. Casey Foundation   “Child care costs more than college in Washington state” by Melissa Santos from Axios   “Report: WA's high cost of child care hits single moms hardest” by Sami West from KUOW   “The Real Costs Of Child Care In America” by Joy Borkholder from InvestigateWest   Transcript [00:00:00] Crystal Fincher: Welcome to Hacks & Wonks. I'm Crystal Fincher, and I'm a political consultant and your host. On this show, we talk with policy wonks and political hacks to gather insight into local politics and policy in Washington state through the lens of those doing the work with behind-the-scenes perspectives on what's happening, why it's happening, and what you can do about it. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get the full versions of our Friday week-in-review show and our Tuesday topical show delivered to your podcast feed. If you like us, the most helpful thing you can do is leave a review wherever you listen to Hacks & Wonks. Full transcripts and resources referenced in the show are always available at officialhacksandwonks.com and in our episode notes. Well today, I am very pleased to welcome to the program Dr. Stephan Blanford, the Executive Director of Children's Alliance. And I wanted to have a conversation today about childcare - how important it is, how unaffordable it has become, and how we fix this - it's so important to so many people. And so I guess I will just start off by asking you, Stephan, why is childcare so important? Why does it matter so much? And what brought you to this work? [00:01:24] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Interestingly, I have a background in education - I served as, I was elected and served for a term on the School Board in Seattle. And also my doctoral work was in K-12. And there's a tight correlation between kids having experience in high-quality early learning settings and them doing well in K-12 settings. And so if you are interested in increasing achievement in the K-12 setting - and in particular, if you're interested in addressing the opportunity gaps, the racial opportunity gaps that affect so many children - you have to prioritize early learning and high-quality childcare in order to achieve that goal. And so that's something that I've been passionate about since - in particular - since my young child was of an age where she was getting into childcare. And I learned a lot about it and then have had a passion to try to have all kids have the type of experience that she had. [00:02:29] Crystal Fincher: Certainly, and I certainly have had my own experiences with childcare with my son, who is now definitely much older than childcare age right now. What do you say to people who say - maybe are an employer - what does childcare have to do with me? Why is this something we should be worried about as a community and as a society? [00:02:51] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Yeah, that's a great question. Because in many parts of the state - Seattle in particular, but many parts of the state - we're one of the most childless cities in the United States. So lots of people don't have that type of experience where they're looking for childcare, where they even know someone that is seeking out childcare. But it is such an economic driver. And so many of the negative outcomes that we see in society - in all parts of the state and in all parts of the nation - are correlated with kids not doing well in school and then not being successful in life. And so I tell people all the time, whether you are a grandparent that whose kids are no longer in school or a business owner or whatever, there's a huge implication on your life by the access or lack of access to childcare. [00:03:43] Crystal Fincher: Well, speaking of access - what is the state right now? We hear that it's unaffordable, we hear that it's hard to come by. Is that true? [00:03:53] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Yes, it is. In many parts of the state, there are families that have to drive great distances in order to find childcare. We call them childcare deserts, where there's such a limited supply of childcare that families are just giving up on that. And in many cases, it affects women - because obviously women are, who would normally be in the workforce are having to make really tough decisions and go back to taking care of kids at home where they would prefer to be out in the workforce and helping to support their families. So it has huge implications, whether you're in one of those childcare deserts or even if you're in a more populated part of the state - because that inability to find any childcare and more importantly to find high-quality childcare has severe implications for families and communities at large. [00:04:50] Crystal Fincher: Why is it so hard to find? [00:04:52] Dr. Stephan Blanford: There's a great number of complex factors that lead to the fact that the supply is reduced. The fact that when I sent my kid to childcare - I was also in school in a graduate program - and I was paying more in childcare costs than I was paying for tuition at that time. And that has not improved over the 10 years since I graduated from graduate school. That hasn't changed - where the cost of tuition at the University of Washington is lower than the average cost of childcare in most parts of the state right now. And so - mine is a middle-class family - if you're a low-income family, then the economics of that just do not pan out. And so we are coming to realize that childcare is a public good - it's a public benefit in the same way that K-12 education benefits the community as well as it does the individual child. But we don't have a mechanism by which we can support childcare centers so they can provide this critical service. And if I could add one more thing that I think is really important and complicates this matter, many of the childcare providers in Washington State and around the country are Black and Brown women. And for some unknown reason that has a lot to do with race and racism, they are undercompensated. It is the third lowest paid profession in Washington State right now. And when we think about the importance and the change in trajectory for kids that having access to high-quality childcare can have, it's unconscionable that that would be the third lowest paid profession. You would think that it would be way up there with doctors and other critical professions - it would be compensated at a rate that is commensurate with its importance in society - but for some reason it is not. [00:06:51] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, absolutely. And you brought up a great point. It is more expensive to pay for childcare than it is to pay for college, which is really saying something with the inflation that we've seen in higher education prices and along with childcare costs. So in this situation, how is it that costs are so high yet compensation for workers is still so low? [00:07:18] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Well, there's a big component of it that has to do with ratios. In most childcare centers that are licensed, you have to have a certain number of adults for a certain number of children. And in particular, kids that are 0-3 years old - they require an even more robust ratio to ensure that the kids are safe during that time that they are away from their parents. And so that has a lot of bearing on the cost - as well as a licensed center has to have exits, has to have lots of equipment in the center, has to be safe and obviously secure so kids aren't getting out and getting out into the street or whatever. And all of those costs are borne by the childcare provider, usually a business person who is trying to establish a center that has all the safety measures in place and the appropriate staffing ratios to ensure that kids are safe and learning while they're in their care. And that all of those things together lend themselves to it being a pretty expensive enterprise. [00:08:27] Crystal Fincher: Now, what does it mean - for a family and for a community - for childcare to be this expensive? [00:08:34] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Well, we spend a lot of time at Children's Alliance advocating that there is a role that the state government has to play in subsidizing the cost. Because the reality right now is - for low-income families who cannot afford those expensive costs that we've been talking about, that means that their kids don't have access to childcare at all. Or they have access to very low-quality childcare - we're talking about being placed in front of a TV and spending eight hours a day, not engaging in that way - and those are pretty significant, have long term consequences for young children. We believe that there is a role that the state government has to play. It has funded the Fair Start for Kids Act in 2021, which is driving about a billion dollars into the sector. And that's a start, but it is by no means the solution to the problem. So we will continue to advocate for improvements and increased funding to make it more affordable for families - middle- and low-income families - to be able to afford childcare, and also provide support for the providers who are trying to provide the service. [00:09:49] Crystal Fincher: So, you talk about how it is so challenging for the families to afford it. It sounds like the families who most stand to benefit from high-quality childcare, and who we need to make sure have access, are the ones having the hardest time affording and accessing it. Is that how you see it? [00:10:09] Dr. Stephan Blanford: That is exactly correct. Yes, that is exactly correct. And so the Fair Start for Kids Act that was passed in 2021 has gone a long way towards making it more affordable, but we don't have enough supply in Washington state. And that lack of supply is impeding the ability of the legislation to provide childcare. Ultimately, if you're a childcare provider and there are subsidies that are available, you're still trying to figure out ways to make sure that all the families in your community are getting childcare. And if you are constrained by the fact that you're only licensed to take care of 15 or 20 or 50 kids, then if there are a 100 kids standing outside your door waiting to get in, then you have to make some difficult choices. And in many cases, the families of those children - those hundred that are stuck outside - they then have to make difficult choices, which include someone staying at home so that there's someone to take care of the children. [00:11:15] Crystal Fincher: Which again, impacts a family's ability to be economically mobile, to participate fully in our economy, to be able to advance in the workplace. Childcare - for people with kids, communities with kids - is so key to just everybody's ability to function and participate in our society, basically. [00:11:40] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Right. And it has disproportionate impacts, as I've shared before, on women and their participation in the workforce. There's a study out of Washington State University that says that the gains that have been made in women's participation in the workforce in Washington State have been totally eroded by the fact that childcare is so inaccessible. Women who have decided that they want to participate in the workforce and have made that move and have gotten the training necessary to be able to participate in the workforce - those gains have been eroded by the fact that there is no childcare. And so we're trying to bring that data to legislators and say that we are at a time now where there's need for significant intervention and investment in the childcare sector to ensure that women can participate and children can be served. [00:12:37] Crystal Fincher: So you talk about there being this shortage and the wages being so low. How do we impact this shortage of childcare workers and pay them a living wage? [00:12:52] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Well, it has been nice to see - as someone who's kind of a grizzled veteran of advocacy around childcare and other issues - it's been nice to see a coalition of people who are now concerned, who now see the implications of this situation that we're in. So now there are business leaders, governmental leaders who never would have been talking about childcare 5 years ago, 10 years ago. And they now know that it is critically important to the economies of their communities, to business interests, to just every aspect of society. We can't really restart the economy to the degree that it needs to be restarted without a significant investment in accessibility and availability of childcare in the state. It just won't happen. And what it portends - our inaction - is that more and more populations are gonna be disproportionately impacted by that inaction. [00:14:02] Crystal Fincher: So what else is needed to help address both the affordability and the issues on the business owner's side - like the regulations, which sound like they're necessary to protect kids - and the costs involved? [00:14:18] Dr. Stephan Blanford: I believe that at some point we're going to have to have a statewide conversation about childcare. And my hope is that that will lead to more significant legislation. And if not legislation, a referendum that is passed or an initiative that is passed by the citizens of the state to tax themselves to be able to afford childcare for anyone who needs it. There are other states that are playing around with the idea of universal pre-K - making sure that every child in the state has access, which means a significant investment in childcare - there's an argument that says that it's a public good and should be funded in the same way that public education is funded. And the economics of it - there's a study that says that for every dollar invested in childcare, there's a $17 return to the economy of the jurisdiction that makes that investment, which is a significant bargain and helps to address some of the biggest challenges that we face around opportunity gaps - racial and economic opportunity gaps. So my hope is that there - we'll continue to have these conversations and get to the point where the voters of the state take this issue up. I believe it will pass. I think enough people are connected to it and understand that they will benefit. And my hope is that we'll see that in the short-term because it's having detrimental impacts right now for families and communities all across the state. [00:16:07] Crystal Fincher: It absolutely is having detrimental impacts. Barring a statewide initiative being passed - and that's a great idea - what can cities, counties, regions do to try and address this in their own areas? [00:16:27] Dr. Stephan Blanford: A great question. So I mentioned the fact that I served as a School Board director here in Seattle. And during that time, we were able to create a partnership between Seattle Public Schools and the City of Seattle where there were significant investments and collaboration between the two sectors - the K-12 sector and the early learning sector - to actually have childcare centers based in some of our elementary schools that were under-enrolled. Kids would move directly from the early learning part of the school into the K-12 sector. And there was a national organization that reviewed that collaboration and gave it its highest rating - saying all states in the nation should emulate that type of a model. Because in many cases there are schools that are under-enrolled - so they have classrooms that are unoccupied - and by doing a little bit of work around licensing and changing the structure of the school, they can ensure that kids at all ages in their community from 3 years old to 5 years old, and then from 5 years old to 10 or 11 are served by that elementary school. And I think that's a model that could be emulated in many parts of the state and would go a long way towards solving this problem because there's a significant investment that a business owner has to make in order to secure a space, make the changes in that space before they can open their doors and serve the first child. There are existing buildings - schools - that can solve that problem very easily, but it requires a lot of collaboration and cooperation between schools, cities, and in some cases those aren't easy collaborations to make. [00:18:25] Crystal Fincher: Definitely, but it does sound promising - obviously, with the review that it received from when it was happening. Is that still happening? [00:18:34] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Oh yeah, yeah. I was having a conversation with a parent the other day that was talking about the fact that she was able to get childcare and it was just down the street at her local school here in Seattle. And she was just gushing about how important it was and how much it helped her family to be able to have that accessibility and availability so close to their home. And when she got done, I said - Yeah, I was on the School Board, I voted for that, I helped to champion that. And she was really grateful. And it made me very proud because that was a contentious issue - not everybody on the School Board was supportive of that notion. But I know that collaborations between sectors like the early learning sector and the K-12 sector - they go a long way towards addressing some of these very pernicious issues that we've been grappling with for years, like our opportunity gaps, that Black and Brown kids stand to benefit, particularly if those collaborations are set up in the schools that they normally attend. [00:19:42] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. Now we also are hearing a lot about school closures right now, about coming deficits, about structural deficits in education. Are these types of partnerships things that can help that kind of situation? [00:19:59] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Absolutely, absolutely. I think you have hit the nail on the head in that - I hear those stories and I'm really glad that I'm not a School Board director anymore and have to grapple with the declining enrollments that we're starting to see in Seattle and many other school districts. But there's an opportunity there to address the childcare crisis while those schools are going through the challenges that they're going with finance and declining enrollments. I think there's a great opportunity to take some of those classrooms and be very intentional about making them childcare settings. And there's always the possibility that we can be building new childcare settings in communities - and in the short-term, we can redeploy empty classrooms in schools to serve that challenge while we're building those settings 'cause eventually the kids are gonna come back. We know that our enrollments go up and then they go down. And at some point those classrooms are gonna need to be filled by K-5 students. But during that time where we have empty classrooms, why not redeploy them in order to solve the childcare crisis that we are in right now? [00:21:20] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. I think some other things I've heard talked about were challenges with zoning in some areas, challenges with opening up - being allowed to open in certain areas - obviously, in Downtown Seattle and several downtowns who've experienced a lot of growth and the availability of childcare and childcare centers has not grown with them, especially in some of those concentrated areas where it's harder to get real estate, afford a lease, find space. What can be done in that area? Is that something worth addressing and taking on? [00:21:57] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Yeah, I think so. While I was on the School Board - and I was campaigning 10 years ago, so I've been done with my School Board service for about 6 years - and there was a real push to try to make Downtown more of a living neighborhood and involving having an elementary school being based there, increasing the number of childcare settings. And in many cases, it didn't really pencil out - we have a number of families that are choosing to live in the Downtown area, but not at sufficient numbers to warrant the opening of an elementary school. I don't know if that has changed in the six years that I've been off the board, but we need to make decisions that are based on the data that we have and not use childcare and K-12 as a driver to create that neighborhood. Seattle Public Schools didn't have the luxury of investing, hoping that kids were gonna come. We needed to be sure that kids were already there before we tried to deploy a childcare setting or a K-12 setting there. But the question that you ask, which I think is an important one, has to do with licensing and changing settings to be able to allow children to be served in those settings. And that's a partnership between the City, which can do a lot of the licensing, the state and the school districts in order to work in collaboration to ensure that the spaces are conducive to learning and the safety of the kids that are going to be put there. [00:23:41] Crystal Fincher: And is there anything within the private sector that employers, especially larger employers, can do to help their employees afford and access childcare? [00:23:53] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Yes, and many, many employers are starting to do that - either by placing a childcare setting inside of their buildings. And I think in particular, given the fact that there's so many vacancies in office space Downtown - if I were an employer and I was trying to one, get my staff back into the office, and two, help to drive the economy by getting people back to work - I would seriously consider working with a childcare provider to provide their service inside of my building. I can tell you from my own personal experience that I have employees right now who are very challenged by the notion of coming back to work, being back in the office on a regular basis because of the inaccessibility of childcare. And so if there were a site in our offices that was dedicated childcare, I could imagine that those employees would be excited by that notion. They'd be able to hang out with their kid at lunchtime. They would - the transit or the transportation issues that are associated with taking your kid to childcare and then going into the office - a lot of that would be solved because you'd all be in the same place. I have worked for an organization that had onsite childcare, and I know it was a driver - it was something that helped us to attract talent and retain talent because in many cases, people wanted to be in the same building that their kids were getting their childcare. [00:25:32] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. Onsite childcare is an elite benefit for employees with families, certainly. So looking - for average people in the community who recognize that this is a problem, that this is an issue, but maybe aren't seeing the urgency from some of their elected officials or from within their community. What can the average person do to help move policy like this forward, to help advocate for what can help? [00:26:04] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Well, it's something that Children's Alliance has been working on for quite a while, so I'm gonna be shameless and plug my organization and say - check us out at childrensalliance.org, and you can lend your voice to the many voices that - we have 7,000 members across the state who are all advocating for childcare. We are reaching out to legislators. I have two legislators on my schedule today that I'll be talking to about this issue. And I think it is critical that those who are concerned about this issue, they're reaching out to their legislators and saying the time for studying this is over - we need to take action on it and demanding that type of action. I think that extends to School Board races - here in Seattle, we have School Board races that are occurring right now. City Council races - every opportunity to reach out to your elected officials and share with them why this is a priority. I know from my own experiences as an elected official, childcare is usually way down on the list of things that people think are important. And as we've discussed today, we're now understanding how central it is to so many aspects of life for families and communities all across the state. And so I encourage your listeners to be very active and not just sit on the sidelines around this critical issue. [00:27:39] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely, that's fantastic advice. And even in the candidate world - we've seen candidates in recent years not be able to run or to have to drop out of races for lack of childcare. It really is something affecting everyone. And it also shines a light on the importance of electing people who understand this issue, who have experience with what it's like to deal with this. And hopefully that helps them to be more invested in making some better policy. So I thank you so much for the time that you've taken to speak with us today - very informative, definitely given us a lot to think about, some things to move forward on, and an outlook for and a pathway to get this thing fixed. So thank you so much for your time, Dr. Stephan Blanford. [00:28:29] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Oh, thank you, Crystal - you ask really good questions and I'm hopeful that we're moving some of your listeners to action. [00:28:37] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely, thank you so much. [00:28:39] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Thank you. [00:28:40] Crystal Fincher: Thank you for listening to Hacks & Wonks, which is produced by Shannon Cheng. You can follow Hacks & Wonks on Twitter @HacksWonks. You can catch Hacks & Wonks on every podcast service and app - just type "Hacks and Wonks" into the search bar. Be sure to subscribe to get the full versions of our Friday week-in-review shows and our Tuesday topical show delivered to your podcast feed. If you like us, leave a review wherever you listen. You can also get a full transcript of this episode and links to the resources referenced in the show at officialhacksandwonks.com and in the podcast episode notes. Thanks for tuning in - talk to you next time.

Why Kids Act the Way They Do. Deven (16yo) and Ethan (13yo) talk about why they behave like they do and how they have achieved incredible results so early in life. They discuss their unique type of homeschooling and how you can make minor adjustments to your words and actions to achieve great results quickly. Young adults can learn how to become teenage millionaires and parents can learn how to train their kids to be respectful, helpful and successful.   www.RealPowerFamily.com

0:00 - Dan & Amy break down yesterday's GOP search for a speaker   8:23 - Brighton Park meeting on migrants at Kelly HS   28:24 - Invest in Kids Act   54:36 - NYC polling on migrants, POTUS   01:00:40 - President of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, co-founder of the Muslim Reform Movement and former US Navy Lieutenant-Commander, Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, reacts to UN SecGen Antonio Guterres' remarks at the UN Security Council meeting. Dr. Jasser has also announced that he is running for congress in Arizona's 4th District -  ZforAZ.com   01:20:18 - Noted economist Stephen Moore on the House GOP's search for a speaker "What the hell is going on with these idiots" For more Steve @StephenMoore   01:33:48 - Sean Spicer, host of the “Sean Spicer Show” on Apple Podcasts, gives his perspective on Trump's legal troubles and How Republicans talk about abortion could shape the election outcome. Follow Sean on X for podcast updates and more @seanspicer   01:51:47 - Hampshire HS' production of “The Prom” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis-Gates, who has been outspoken against the state's school choice program, is sending her child to a private school, according to the Illinois Republican Party and other reports. Davis-Gates took office in 2022 to lead the third largest teachers union in the country. Since taking office, Davis-Gates has publicly spoken out against the Invest in Kids Act, which allows people to pay for scholarships for students to attend private schools rather than attend public schools in Chicago or throughout the state. Donors get a 75% Illinois income tax credit for their contributions to the program. If legislators do not extend the program, it ends at the end of the calendar year.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support

On this Tuesday topical show, Crystal welcomes Dr. Stephan Blanford, Executive Director of Children's Alliance, for a wide-ranging conversation on childcare. They delve into the importance of childcare as an economic driver and its societal impacts through preparing kids for success in school and life. A review of the state of childcare in Washington reveals that this critical resource is often out-of-reach for those who need it most and looks at the factors that make it inaccessible and expensive. Crystal and Dr. Blanford then discuss how various stakeholders can make an impact on the issue at all levels of government. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available below and at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Twitter at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii, find Dr. Stephan Blanford at @StephanBlanford and Children's Alliance at @ChildAllianceWA.   Dr. Stephan Blanford As the Executive Director of Children's Alliance, Dr. Stephan Blanford leads a team of committed staff, volunteers and more than 6,000 members, advocating fiercely for the improved outcomes for children in Washington state. As an unapologetic advocate for racial and social justice, Stephan's work has ranged from early learning to college entrance leading small, direct service youth development agencies to multidisciplinary demonstration projects. In 2013, he was elected by the voters of Seattle and served a four-year term on the Seattle School Board, where he received the “Leadership for Equity” award at the conclusion of his term. More recently, the Evergreen Chapter of the American Society of Public Administrators awarded him the “Billy J. Frank Race and Social Justice” award for leadership and advocacy. Extending his work at a national level, he is the board chair of Integrated Schools and serves on the board of Partnership for America's Children, Balance our Tax Code Coalition, and several other progressive organizations. Dr. Blanford holds a Bachelors' degree in Social Justice from Antioch University, a Masters in Public Policy from the Evans School of Governance and Public Policy and a Doctorate from the College of Education at the University of Washington. Resources Children's Alliance   Washington Child Care Collaborative Task Force | Washington State Department of Commerce   2023 KIDS Count Data Book | Annie E. Casey Foundation   “Child care costs more than college in Washington state” by Melissa Santos from Axios   “Report: WA's high cost of child care hits single moms hardest” by Sami West from KUOW   “The Real Costs Of Child Care In America” by Joy Borkholder from InvestigateWest Transcript [00:00:00] Crystal Fincher: Welcome to Hacks & Wonks. I'm Crystal Fincher, and I'm a political consultant and your host. On this show, we talk with policy wonks and political hacks to gather insight into local politics and policy in Washington state through the lens of those doing the work with behind-the-scenes perspectives on what's happening, why it's happening, and what you can do about it. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get the full versions of our Friday week-in-review show and our Tuesday topical show delivered to your podcast feed. If you like us, the most helpful thing you can do is leave a review wherever you listen to Hacks & Wonks. Full transcripts and resources referenced in the show are always available at officialhacksandwonks.com and in our episode notes. Well today, I am very pleased to welcome to the program Dr. Stephan Blanford, the Executive Director of Children's Alliance. And I wanted to have a conversation today about childcare - how important it is, how unaffordable it has become, and how we fix this - it's so important to so many people. And so I guess I will just start off by asking you, Stephan, why is childcare so important? Why does it matter so much? And what brought you to this work? [00:01:24] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Interestingly, I have a background in education - I served as, I was elected and served for a term on the School Board in Seattle. And also my doctoral work was in K-12. And there's a tight correlation between kids having experience in high-quality early learning settings and them doing well in K-12 settings. And so if you are interested in increasing achievement in the K-12 setting - and in particular, if you're interested in addressing the opportunity gaps, the racial opportunity gaps that affect so many children - you have to prioritize early learning and high-quality childcare in order to achieve that goal. And so that's something that I've been passionate about since - in particular - since my young child was of an age where she was getting into childcare. And I learned a lot about it and then have had a passion to try to have all kids have the type of experience that she had. [00:02:29] Crystal Fincher: Certainly, and I certainly have had my own experiences with childcare with my son, who is now definitely much older than childcare age right now. What do you say to people who say - maybe are an employer - what does childcare have to do with me? Why is this something we should be worried about as a community and as a society? [00:02:51] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Yeah, that's a great question. Because in many parts of the state - Seattle in particular, but many parts of the state - we're one of the most childless cities in the United States. So lots of people don't have that type of experience where they're looking for childcare, where they even know someone that is seeking out childcare. But it is such an economic driver. And so many of the negative outcomes that we see in society - in all parts of the state and in all parts of the nation - are correlated with kids not doing well in school and then not being successful in life. And so I tell people all the time, whether you are a grandparent that whose kids are no longer in school or a business owner or whatever, there's a huge implication on your life by the access or lack of access to childcare. [00:03:43] Crystal Fincher: Well, speaking of access - what is the state right now? We hear that it's unaffordable, we hear that it's hard to come by. Is that true? [00:03:53] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Yes, it is. In many parts of the state, there are families that have to drive great distances in order to find childcare. We call them childcare deserts, where there's such a limited supply of childcare that families are just giving up on that. And in many cases, it affects women - because obviously women are, who would normally be in the workforce are having to make really tough decisions and go back to taking care of kids at home where they would prefer to be out in the workforce and helping to support their families. So it has huge implications, whether you're in one of those childcare deserts or even if you're in a more populated part of the state - because that inability to find any childcare and more importantly to find high-quality childcare has severe implications for families and communities at large. [00:04:50] Crystal Fincher: Why is it so hard to find? [00:04:52] Dr. Stephan Blanford: There's a great number of complex factors that lead to the fact that the supply is reduced. The fact that when I sent my kid to childcare - I was also in school in a graduate program - and I was paying more in childcare costs than I was paying for tuition at that time. And that has not improved over the 10 years since I graduated from graduate school. That hasn't changed - where the cost of tuition at the University of Washington is lower than the average cost of childcare in most parts of the state right now. And so - mine is a middle-class family - if you're a low-income family, then the economics of that just do not pan out. And so we are coming to realize that childcare is a public good - it's a public benefit in the same way that K-12 education benefits the community as well as it does the individual child. But we don't have a mechanism by which we can support childcare centers so they can provide this critical service. And if I could add one more thing that I think is really important and complicates this matter, many of the childcare providers in Washington State and around the country are Black and Brown women. And for some unknown reason that has a lot to do with race and racism, they are undercompensated. It is the third lowest paid profession in Washington State right now. And when we think about the importance and the change in trajectory for kids that having access to high-quality childcare can have, it's unconscionable that that would be the third lowest paid profession. You would think that it would be way up there with doctors and other critical professions - it would be compensated at a rate that is commensurate with its importance in society - but for some reason it is not. [00:06:51] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, absolutely. And you brought up a great point. It is more expensive to pay for childcare than it is to pay for college, which is really saying something with the inflation that we've seen in higher education prices and along with childcare costs. So in this situation, how is it that costs are so high yet compensation for workers is still so low? [00:07:18] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Well, there's a big component of it that has to do with ratios. In most childcare centers that are licensed, you have to have a certain number of adults for a certain number of children. And in particular, kids that are 0-3 years old - they require an even more robust ratio to ensure that the kids are safe during that time that they are away from their parents. And so that has a lot of bearing on the cost - as well as a licensed center has to have exits, has to have lots of equipment in the center, has to be safe and obviously secure so kids aren't getting out and getting out into the street or whatever. And all of those costs are borne by the childcare provider, usually a business person who is trying to establish a center that has all the safety measures in place and the appropriate staffing ratios to ensure that kids are safe and learning while they're in their care. And that all of those things together lend themselves to it being a pretty expensive enterprise. [00:08:27] Crystal Fincher: Now, what does it mean - for a family and for a community - for childcare to be this expensive? [00:08:34] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Well, we spend a lot of time at Children's Alliance advocating that there is a role that the state government has to play in subsidizing the cost. Because the reality right now is - for low-income families who cannot afford those expensive costs that we've been talking about, that means that their kids don't have access to childcare at all. Or they have access to very low-quality childcare - we're talking about being placed in front of a TV and spending eight hours a day, not engaging in that way - and those are pretty significant, have long term consequences for young children. We believe that there is a role that the state government has to play. It has funded the Fair Start for Kids Act in 2021, which is driving about a billion dollars into the sector. And that's a start, but it is by no means the solution to the problem. So we will continue to advocate for improvements and increased funding to make it more affordable for families - middle- and low-income families - to be able to afford childcare, and also provide support for the providers who are trying to provide the service. [00:09:49] Crystal Fincher: So, you talk about how it is so challenging for the families to afford it. It sounds like the families who most stand to benefit from high-quality childcare, and who we need to make sure have access, are the ones having the hardest time affording and accessing it. Is that how you see it? [00:10:09] Dr. Stephan Blanford: That is exactly correct. Yes, that is exactly correct. And so the Fair Start for Kids Act that was passed in 2021 has gone a long way towards making it more affordable, but we don't have enough supply in Washington state. And that lack of supply is impeding the ability of the legislation to provide childcare. Ultimately, if you're a childcare provider and there are subsidies that are available, you're still trying to figure out ways to make sure that all the families in your community are getting childcare. And if you are constrained by the fact that you're only licensed to take care of 15 or 20 or 50 kids, then if there are a 100 kids standing outside your door waiting to get in, then you have to make some difficult choices. And in many cases, the families of those children - those hundred that are stuck outside - they then have to make difficult choices, which include someone staying at home so that there's someone to take care of the children. [00:11:15] Crystal Fincher: Which again, impacts a family's ability to be economically mobile, to participate fully in our economy, to be able to advance in the workplace. Childcare - for people with kids, communities with kids - is so key to just everybody's ability to function and participate in our society, basically. [00:11:40] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Right. And it has disproportionate impacts, as I've shared before, on women and their participation in the workforce. There's a study out of Washington State University that says that the gains that have been made in women's participation in the workforce in Washington State have been totally eroded by the fact that childcare is so inaccessible. Women who have decided that they want to participate in the workforce and have made that move and have gotten the training necessary to be able to participate in the workforce - those gains have been eroded by the fact that there is no childcare. And so we're trying to bring that data to legislators and say that we are at a time now where there's need for significant intervention and investment in the childcare sector to ensure that women can participate and children can be served. [00:12:37] Crystal Fincher: So you talk about there being this shortage and the wages being so low. How do we impact this shortage of childcare workers and pay them a living wage? [00:12:52] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Well, it has been nice to see - as someone who's kind of a grizzled veteran of advocacy around childcare and other issues - it's been nice to see a coalition of people who are now concerned, who now see the implications of this situation that we're in. So now there are business leaders, governmental leaders who never would have been talking about childcare 5 years ago, 10 years ago. And they now know that it is critically important to the economies of their communities, to business interests, to just every aspect of society. We can't really restart the economy to the degree that it needs to be restarted without a significant investment in accessibility and availability of childcare in the state. It just won't happen. And what it portends - our inaction - is that more and more populations are gonna be disproportionately impacted by that inaction. [00:14:02] Crystal Fincher: So what else is needed to help address both the affordability and the issues on the business owner's side - like the regulations, which sound like they're necessary to protect kids - and the costs involved? [00:14:18] Dr. Stephan Blanford: I believe that at some point we're going to have to have a statewide conversation about childcare. And my hope is that that will lead to more significant legislation. And if not legislation, a referendum that is passed or an initiative that is passed by the citizens of the state to tax themselves to be able to afford childcare for anyone who needs it. There are other states that are playing around with the idea of universal pre-K - making sure that every child in the state has access, which means a significant investment in childcare - there's an argument that says that it's a public good and should be funded in the same way that public education is funded. And the economics of it - there's a study that says that for every dollar invested in childcare, there's a $17 return to the economy of the jurisdiction that makes that investment, which is a significant bargain and helps to address some of the biggest challenges that we face around opportunity gaps - racial and economic opportunity gaps. So my hope is that there - we'll continue to have these conversations and get to the point where the voters of the state take this issue up. I believe it will pass. I think enough people are connected to it and understand that they will benefit. And my hope is that we'll see that in the short-term because it's having detrimental impacts right now for families and communities all across the state. [00:16:07] Crystal Fincher: It absolutely is having detrimental impacts. Barring a statewide initiative being passed - and that's a great idea - what can cities, counties, regions do to try and address this in their own areas? [00:16:27] Dr. Stephan Blanford: A great question. So I mentioned the fact that I served as a School Board director here in Seattle. And during that time, we were able to create a partnership between Seattle Public Schools and the City of Seattle where there were significant investments and collaboration between the two sectors - the K-12 sector and the early learning sector - to actually have childcare centers based in some of our elementary schools that were under-enrolled. Kids would move directly from the early learning part of the school into the K-12 sector. And there was a national organization that reviewed that collaboration and gave it its highest rating - saying all states in the nation should emulate that type of a model. Because in many cases there are schools that are under-enrolled - so they have classrooms that are unoccupied - and by doing a little bit of work around licensing and changing the structure of the school, they can ensure that kids at all ages in their community from 3 years old to 5 years old, and then from 5 years old to 10 or 11 are served by that elementary school. And I think that's a model that could be emulated in many parts of the state and would go a long way towards solving this problem because there's a significant investment that a business owner has to make in order to secure a space, make the changes in that space before they can open their doors and serve the first child. There are existing buildings - schools - that can solve that problem very easily, but it requires a lot of collaboration and cooperation between schools, cities, and in some cases those aren't easy collaborations to make. [00:18:25] Crystal Fincher: Definitely, but it does sound promising - obviously, with the review that it received from when it was happening. Is that still happening? [00:18:34] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Oh yeah, yeah. I was having a conversation with a parent the other day that was talking about the fact that she was able to get childcare and it was just down the street at her local school here in Seattle. And she was just gushing about how important it was and how much it helped her family to be able to have that accessibility and availability so close to their home. And when she got done, I said - Yeah, I was on the School Board, I voted for that, I helped to champion that. And she was really grateful. And it made me very proud because that was a contentious issue - not everybody on the School Board was supportive of that notion. But I know that collaborations between sectors like the early learning sector and the K-12 sector - they go a long way towards addressing some of these very pernicious issues that we've been grappling with for years, like our opportunity gaps, that Black and Brown kids stand to benefit, particularly if those collaborations are set up in the schools that they normally attend. [00:19:42] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. Now we also are hearing a lot about school closures right now, about coming deficits, about structural deficits in education. Are these types of partnerships things that can help that kind of situation? [00:19:59] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Absolutely, absolutely. I think you have hit the nail on the head in that - I hear those stories and I'm really glad that I'm not a School Board director anymore and have to grapple with the declining enrollments that we're starting to see in Seattle and many other school districts. But there's an opportunity there to address the childcare crisis while those schools are going through the challenges that they're going with finance and declining enrollments. I think there's a great opportunity to take some of those classrooms and be very intentional about making them childcare settings. And there's always the possibility that we can be building new childcare settings in communities - and in the short-term, we can redeploy empty classrooms in schools to serve that challenge while we're building those settings 'cause eventually the kids are gonna come back. We know that our enrollments go up and then they go down. And at some point those classrooms are gonna need to be filled by K-5 students. But during that time where we have empty classrooms, why not redeploy them in order to solve the childcare crisis that we are in right now? [00:21:20] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. I think some other things I've heard talked about were challenges with zoning in some areas, challenges with opening up - being allowed to open in certain areas - obviously, in Downtown Seattle and several downtowns who've experienced a lot of growth and the availability of childcare and childcare centers has not grown with them, especially in some of those concentrated areas where it's harder to get real estate, afford a lease, find space. What can be done in that area? Is that something worth addressing and taking on? [00:21:57] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Yeah, I think so. While I was on the School Board - and I was campaigning 10 years ago, so I've been done with my School Board service for about 6 years - and there was a real push to try to make Downtown more of a living neighborhood and involving having an elementary school being based there, increasing the number of childcare settings. And in many cases, it didn't really pencil out - we have a number of families that are choosing to live in the Downtown area, but not at sufficient numbers to warrant the opening of an elementary school. I don't know if that has changed in the six years that I've been off the board, but we need to make decisions that are based on the data that we have and not use childcare and K-12 as a driver to create that neighborhood. Seattle Public Schools didn't have the luxury of investing, hoping that kids were gonna come. We needed to be sure that kids were already there before we tried to deploy a childcare setting or a K-12 setting there. But the question that you ask, which I think is an important one, has to do with licensing and changing settings to be able to allow children to be served in those settings. And that's a partnership between the City, which can do a lot of the licensing, the state and the school districts in order to work in collaboration to ensure that the spaces are conducive to learning and the safety of the kids that are going to be put there. [00:23:41] Crystal Fincher: And is there anything within the private sector that employers, especially larger employers, can do to help their employees afford and access childcare? [00:23:53] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Yes, and many, many employers are starting to do that - either by placing a childcare setting inside of their buildings. And I think in particular, given the fact that there's so many vacancies in office space Downtown - if I were an employer and I was trying to one, get my staff back into the office, and two, help to drive the economy by getting people back to work - I would seriously consider working with a childcare provider to provide their service inside of my building. I can tell you from my own personal experience that I have employees right now who are very challenged by the notion of coming back to work, being back in the office on a regular basis because of the inaccessibility of childcare. And so if there were a site in our offices that was dedicated childcare, I could imagine that those employees would be excited by that notion. They'd be able to hang out with their kid at lunchtime. They would - the transit or the transportation issues that are associated with taking your kid to childcare and then going into the office - a lot of that would be solved because you'd all be in the same place. I have worked for an organization that had onsite childcare, and I know it was a driver - it was something that helped us to attract talent and retain talent because in many cases, people wanted to be in the same building that their kids were getting their childcare. [00:25:32] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. Onsite childcare is an elite benefit for employees with families, certainly. So looking - for average people in the community who recognize that this is a problem, that this is an issue, but maybe aren't seeing the urgency from some of their elected officials or from within their community. What can the average person do to help move policy like this forward, to help advocate for what can help? [00:26:04] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Well, it's something that Children's Alliance has been working on for quite a while, so I'm gonna be shameless and plug my organization and say - check us out at childrensalliance.org, and you can lend your voice to the many voices that - we have 7,000 members across the state who are all advocating for childcare. We are reaching out to legislators. I have two legislators on my schedule today that I'll be talking to about this issue. And I think it is critical that those who are concerned about this issue, they're reaching out to their legislators and saying the time for studying this is over - we need to take action on it and demanding that type of action. I think that extends to School Board races - here in Seattle, we have School Board races that are occurring right now. City Council races - every opportunity to reach out to your elected officials and share with them why this is a priority. I know from my own experiences as an elected official, childcare is usually way down on the list of things that people think are important. And as we've discussed today, we're now understanding how central it is to so many aspects of life for families and communities all across the state. And so I encourage your listeners to be very active and not just sit on the sidelines around this critical issue. [00:27:39] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely, that's fantastic advice. And even in the candidate world - we've seen candidates in recent years not be able to run or to have to drop out of races for lack of childcare. It really is something affecting everyone. And it also shines a light on the importance of electing people who understand this issue, who have experience with what it's like to deal with this. And hopefully that helps them to be more invested in making some better policy. So I thank you so much for the time that you've taken to speak with us today - very informative, definitely given us a lot to think about, some things to move forward on, and an outlook for and a pathway to get this thing fixed. So thank you so much for your time, Dr. Stephan Blanford. [00:28:29] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Oh, thank you, Crystal - you ask really good questions and I'm hopeful that we're moving some of your listeners to action. [00:28:37] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely, thank you so much. [00:28:39] Dr. Stephan Blanford: Thank you. [00:28:40] Crystal Fincher: Thank you for listening to Hacks & Wonks, which is produced by Shannon Cheng. You can follow Hacks & Wonks on Twitter @HacksWonks. You can catch Hacks & Wonks on every podcast service and app - just type "Hacks and Wonks" into the search bar. Be sure to subscribe to get the full versions of our Friday week-in-review shows and our Tuesday topical show delivered to your podcast feed. If you like us, leave a review wherever you listen. You can also get a full transcript of this episode and links to the resources referenced in the show at officialhacksandwonks.com and in the podcast episode notes. Thanks for tuning in - talk to you next time.

Fr. Patrick preached this homily on August 16, 2023 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Wadsworth, OH. The readings are from Dt 34:1-12, Ps 66:1-3a, 5 and 8, 16-17 & Mt 18:15-20.

Howie broadcasts LIVE from Toyota of Portsmouth to bring you the latest on the (second) Trump indictment, the Biden Crime Fam, and the culture wars.

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