Kids in Common Policy Agenda
Kids in Common (KiC) bases its policy priorities on data-driven insights from the Annual Children’s Data Book, focusing on the four pillars of its mission: ensuring every child in Santa Clara County is Safe and Stable, Healthy, Successful in Learning, and Thriving in Life. The indicators in the Data Book, which define each pillar of KiC’s mission, were developed and selected by cross-system partners of the Children’s Agenda Network to provide an overview of how children and families in Santa Clara County are faring.
With a strong focus on communities experiencing the greatest disparities, KiC advances strategies and policies aligned with the annual data indicators for each pillar to address the most pressing needs of children and families.
Every Child...
Safe & Stable
Priority:
-
Uplift and support strategies and resources to improve housing stability, food security, and Real Cost Measure for SCC youth and families.
-
Percentage of Families Living Below the Real Cost Measure
-
Number of SCC Students Experiencing Housing Instability
-
Percentage of Families At Risk for Food Insecurity
Healthy
Priority:
-
Uplift and support strategies and resources that prevent, identify, and promptly and effectively treat behavioral health challenges and ensure every SCC child has access to adequate physical and social-emotional healthcare.
-
Percentage of Mothers Receiving Early & Regular Prenatal Care
-
Percentage of Children on Medi-Cal with a Routine Health Check-Up & Dental Appt in Past 12 Months
Successful in Learning
Priorities:
-
Ensure families have access to services that promote optimal development and well-being for early childhood.
-
Support accessibility to extended learning opportunities, particularly programs that facilitate social emotional wellbeing and support for Third Grade ELA and Eighth Grade Math.
-
Support the transparency and analytics of school suspension data, and/or the implementation of evidence-based alternatives to suspensions.
-
Percentage of Children Fully Ready for Kindergarten
-
Percentage of Students Meeting or Exceeding Third Grade English Language Arts (ELA) and Eighth Grade Math Standard
-
Percentage of Students Absent 10% or More of the Time (Chronic Absenteeism)
-
School Suspension Rates
Thriving in Life
Priorities:
-
Support the implementation of early warning systems that identify students facing challenges and provide timely, targeted support in academics, behavior, and human services.
-
Support the transition into apprenticeships or training opportunities for youth who leave school without graduating.
-
Support strategies that remove financial barriers to post-secondary education.
-
Percentage of Students Graduating on Time
-
Percent Enrolled in Postsecondary Education within 12 Months of Graduation
Priority for Latinx Youth:
In support of the 2025 Latino Health Assessment, as well as the declaration of the Public Health Crisis for Latino Residents determined on Sept 16, 2025, Kids in Common’s Policy and Advocacy Agenda will also prioritize championing policies as outlined above that specifically support SCC Latinx youth, as they represent 28% of all youth in Santa Clara County (SCC), but demonstrate some of the highest disparities in the county in regard to basic needs, health, and education support.
Kids in Common Ongoing Advocacy (FY 2025-26):
Every Child Safe & Stable and Healthy:
KiC pledged to provide our support for Measure A, the Board of Supervisors' temporary, 5/8-cent sales tax on the November 2025 ballot to protect local health services in response to the recently approved federal budget which includes the most significant cut to healthcare funding in history. KiC Attended community rally on Wed Sept 10, 2025, alongside other Santa Clara County Nonprofits (including the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits and Latina Coalition), and provided public comment in support of Measure A at Board of Supervisors Meeting on Sept 16, 2025. The measure passed! A heartfelt thank-you to the Save Our Local Hospitals campaign for leading this charge.
Immigrant Rights:
-
KiC supported the measure proposed to the city to require federal ICE agents to disclose their identities during operations, and attended the community rally and City Councilor Meeting on Sept 10, 2025. The measure was passed by the City Council.
-
KiC supported the proposal for the development of a comprehensive Immigration Enforcement Response Plan provided by Supervisors Arenas and Duong, and provided a letter of support as well as public comment during the Board of Supervisors Meeting on Sept 16, 2025. The Measure passed unanimously.
-
KiC attended IPEN Safety Training.
-
KiC attended the SCC Rapid Response Network Training.
Latino Youth:
On Nov 1 2025, KiC signed in support of SOMOS Mayfair’s efforts to rebuild MASCA. For decades, MACSA was a cornerstone for East San José youth as a space for education, healing, leadership, and growth. Revitalizing MACSA means restoring a vital hub where the Children and Youth Masterplan come alive: a home for healing, learning, organizing, and community power; this is particularly important in light of the recently declared public health crisis for the Latino community in Santa Clara County, as well as the recently published Latino Health Assessment which highlights the community need for more safe spaces for local Latino youth to gather. The letter of support urges decision-makers to 1. Rebuild the Facility, 2. Secure a long-term agreement, 3. Prioritize Community Over Profit, 4. Center Community Vision, and 5. Ensure Sustainable Funding.
Housing:
-
11/13/25: KiC signed SV@Home’s letter opposing proposed changes to San José’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (IHO). These changes would weaken another critical tool for housing affordability in our city, further impacting low-income families in San José.