More than 750 members of the child care advocacy group Parent Voices from around the state traveled to Sacramento on May 2 to bring their urgent message regarding the continuation of funding for child care programs to the attention of the governor and state legislators. The annual rally, “Stand For Children,” was planned to address policy makers as they move closer to their consideration of the May Revised Budget.

Despite enormous challenges, including job losses and the struggle to meet the basic needs of their families, parents made the commitment to travel to Sacramento believing that their personal realities and economic circumstances could help influence the tough decisions that legislators face in coming weeks.

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Working families that rely on CalWORKs and other state programs for child care must deal with a reporting process that is often complex and burdensome, such that even a minor change in income status must be reported immediately. But a new bill from Assemblymember Holly Mitchell (D-Culver City) could alleviate some of the bureaucracy and prevent disruptions in care for young kids.

AB 1673 would streamline eligibility requirements for child care offered by CalWORKs (except Stage 1), the migrant day care program, the state preschool program and any child care program established at a higher education institution. Children enrolled in these programs would be eligible for a full 12 months. The bill would also impose limited interim reporting requirements for families enrolled in the programs.

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Parents and other advocates are joining a major mobilization against the governor’s proposed cuts to child care funding. They are fighting to preserve child care for thousands of families—and maintain California’s system of subsidized child care.

Parents spoke out at recent Assembly budget hearings in Sacramento. The budget subcommittee has rejected some of the governor’s proposed changes, but nothing is entirely off the table until legislators and the governor negotiate and pass a final budget.

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Thanks to a grant from the California Department of Health, the local non-profit organization Walk ‘n Rollers will host and promote the kickoff for El Marino’s Bike to School Week festival this coming Sunday, May 6. The event will also promote National Bike to School Day.

Assemblymember Holly Mitchell (D-Culver City) will be on hand for the kick off event at El Marino Language School, at 11450 Port. Rd, which will run from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

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In California, low-income women who are pregnant for the first time can’t receive federal TANF assistance—known as CalWORKs—until they are in their third trimester. When CalWORKs began twenty-five years ago, there was a strong state General Assistance (GA) program to help very poor, childless pregnant women during their first two trimesters until TANF kicked in. But as in most states in the country, California’s GA program has deteriorated significantly, so that now many pregnant women face the prospect of zero income during their second trimester.

We now know from research just how important the second trimester is in terms of fetal development, and that proper care at this stage can prevent preterm births and future developmental disabilities—both of which are expensive. In fact, according to the Institute of Medicine and March of Dimes, the average first-year medical costs—including inpatient and outpatient care—are about ten times greater for preterm infants ($32,325) than for term infants ($3,325).

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Assemblymember Holly J. Mitchell (D-Culver City) has authored a Homeowners’ Due Process Rights bill, A.B. 2425, which she said is a much-needed measure to protect homeowners going through the foreclosure process.

An investigation by state Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris has revealed that the foreclosure process has been undermined by industry practices causing uncertainty in the system of public recording of real estate interests, and chaos in the loan modification process.

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Community members came out last Friday in support of Assemblymember Holly Mitchell's (D-Culver City) Environment Cabinet Committee to watch the documentary film "Bag It," and to participate in an after-screening discussion at West Los Angeles College.

Produced by Reel Thing Productions in association with the Telluride Institute, Bag It is a powerful look at the impacts of plastics on society.

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Members of the Culver City community came together on Friday to watch a screening of the documentary Bag It, at West Los Angeles College, and to participate in an after-screening discussion with experts and advocates.

The film, which takes a look at the impact of plastic on our society, people’s throwaway mentality and the overuse of disposable products, was hosted by Assemblymember Holly Mitchell’s (AD 47 – Culver City) Environment Cabinet Committee.

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It seemed like a win-win: Low-income pregnant first-time mothers get the early prenatal care they need and might not be able to afford otherwise for their babies; and taxpayers and insurance companies save money in the long run by reducing the number of notoriously at-risk low-birthweight babies, whose medical needs cost 10 times that of full-term babies.

Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, last week presented the Assembly Committee on Human Services with AB 1640, a bill that would give low-income pregnant women access to funding through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program without proving they're in their third trimester.

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Parents, educators and child care providers will have an opportunity this week to tell legislators about the importance of two critical early childhood programs.

On Tuesday, members of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance will meet to consider proposed cuts to education programs, including plans to eliminate transitional kindergarten. Trailer bill language released by finance officials in recent weeks still eliminates the program, but would allow 4-year-olds to be enrolled in kindergarten classes if the child turns 5 during the school year and meets all district requirements, similar to waivers already in place.

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