Policy

Every child has a right to education, health, safety and a comprehensive set of supports that will help them reach their full potential. Elev8 focuses on changing public policy to close the gap between this vision and reality.

Elev8 supports increased government investment in under-resourced neighborhoods and schools in urban, rural and Native American communities. But funding isn't the only element needed to make sustainable policy solutions. It is also crucial to authentically engage members of the community to identify local problems, create solutions, and evaluate the effectiveness of the programs that emerge.

Elev8 brings together students, parents, community-based organizations, schools, government, philanthropy, business, national advocacy groups and service organizations to advocate for change. We work on local, state and federal levels to promote high-quality education, economic sustainability and good health for families. Read the latest Elev8 policy news.

Our Legislative Agenda focuses on initiatives we consider essential and on which we can act now. Please join us in our actions and campaigns related to the following issues:

Education:

High-quality evidence-based extended-learning programs aligned with school-day goals and curricula; parents and community members who are actively involved with local schools.

• Extended-learning programs are critically important to ensuring student success and turning around struggling schools. We support legislation that encourages and funds parental and community involvement in schools, including the Full Service Community Schools Act.

Food Programs:

Expansion of school breakfast and lunch programs that provide a safety net to the approximately 12 million children who live in food-insecure households.

• Hunger has a negative impact on performance in school and leads to an increased likelihood of illness, including an increased chance of obesity.¹ Legislation that expands access to food programs, including the AFTERschool Meals Act of 2009 and the Hunger Free Schools Act of 2010, is a priority for Elev8.

Healthcare:

Comprehensive primary care, including behavioral health and dental services for all children and adults.

• Elev8 incorporates school-based health centers as an effective way to keep students healthy and avoid excessive absence due to illness. We support legislation that invests in school-based health as well as state Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) and care for uninsured adults.

Social Services and Low-Income Tax Credits:

Policies that ensure the economic stability of low-income families.

• We advocate for legislative changes to increase the number of families who benefit from the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. Making the Child Tax Credit fully refundable would have a significant, positive impact for our communities. Federal assistance and benefits programs like Temporary Assistance to Needy Families are also crucial for struggling families.

Youth Development and Juvenile Justice:

Funding for youth mentoring and delinquency prevention programs that build safe, supportive communities for children and their families.

• Elev8 works in communities that cope with violence, making it dangerous for children to walk home from after-school programs or to play outside. The reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act and the Youth PROMISE Act can combat violence and help develop student leaders within our communities.