Children's Agenda
About the Children's Agenda
The Santa Clara County Children’s Agenda Network (CAN) is a county-wide network of cross-sector leaders committed to working together to improve outcomes for children, youth and families. We accomplish this collectively, by sharing knowledge, aligning and coordinating resources, and using data and research to inform decision making, guide program and policy improvement, and drive results.
Upcoming CAN Meetings FY 2025-26:
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Sept 8 (2nd Mon), 2025, 12pm-2pm – "Every Child Safe & Stable"
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Location: SSA Pioneer, Mt. Pleasant, & Prospect Rooms (353 W Julian St.)
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Data: Real Cost Measure, Food Security, Housing Stability, Foster Care
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Nov 12 (2nd Wed), 2025, 12pm-2pm – "Every Child Healthy"
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Location: SSA Oak Grove and Gunderson Rooms (353 W Julian St.)
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Data: Prenatal Care, Pediatric Access, Dental Health, Social Emotional Wellbeing
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Feb 11 (2nd Wed), 2026, 12pm-2pm– "Every Child Successful in Learning"
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Location: SSA Auditorium (333 W Julian St)
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Data: Kindergarten Readiness, Third Grade English Language Arts Standard, Eight Grade Math Standard, Chronic Absenteeism, School Suspension Rates
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June 3 (1st Wed), 2026,12pm-2pm - "Every Child Thriving in Life"
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Location: SSA Auditorium (333 W Julian St)
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Data: Graduation Rates, Enrollment in post-secondary education, Career and College readiness, Stable Employment and Positive Net Worth
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Join the Children's Agenda Network or RSVP to the Meetings HERE!
MISSION
Kids in Common advocates for education, healthcare, social-emotional wellbeing, and justice for all children in Santa Clara County by supporting policies, promoting data-driven action, and fostering collaborations of cross-systems leaders and experts.
VISION
Every Child...
Safe & Stable
Successful in Learning
Healthy
Thriving in Life
Values and Principles of Action
Our Values
Every Child Matters
Every child should have an equitable pathway to a healthy and successful life. We cannot allow race, poverty or zip code to be a barrier to success nor define opportunity. The potential of our children is a resource we cannot afford to waste.
Community
We focus on what connects us rather than what separates us and communicate to each other with transparency and integrity
Focus on Families
Children thrive in healthy families and our work should be focused on strengthening families to support the healthy development of their children. Healthy families build the next generation of healthy children and families.
Courage
We have the tough conversations that no one likes having and take risks in pursuit of improving outcomes for children, youth and their families.
Principles of Action
Targeted Universalism
We have common goals for all our children and recognize the need to redesign our structures to address the specific barriers to opportunity that exist between differently situated populations.
Continuous Improvement
Disciplined and relentless commitment to improved results and to narrowing racial and economic disparities.
Strategic Action
Aligning efforts and resources to magnify impact within my organization and in partnership with other organizations.
Equity
We must recognize and address structural and institutional racism, discrimination, harassment, and biases across systems that contribute to inequitable outcomes for children and their families.
Results Focused
Using data and evidence to tell us whether we are successful in our individual organizations’ work as well as at the community level.
Stakeholder Engagement
Ensuring those affected by the decisions are involved in making them.
Children's Agenda Network
Children’s Agenda Network members have agreed to the values of the Children’s Agenda
and to advance its goals by focusing on equity, results and collaboration.
Children’s Agenda Network Co-chairs
Mary Ann Dewan, PhD* - Chair, Kids in Common
Community Leader
Judge Leonard Edwards* - Vice Chair, Kids in Common
Retired, Santa Clara County Superior Court
Fernando S. Mendoza, MD, MPH* - Kids in Common Board of Directors
Professor of Pediatrics, Emeritus and Emeritus Associate Dean of Minority Advising and Programs, Stanford University School of Medicine
Children’s Agenda Network Members
Rocio
Abundis
SCC Dept. of Families and Children's Services
Elizabeth
Alvarez
Healthier Kids Foundation
Jessica
Bautista
Santa Clara Family Health Plan
Susan
Brutschy
Applied Survey Research
Jennifer Kelleher
Cloyd
FIRST 5 Santa Clara County
Leonard Perry
Edwards
Dora
Beyer
Excite Credit Union
Ted
Lempert
Children Now
Ziem
Nguyen Neubert
YMCA of Silicon Valley - Project Cornerstone
Melinda Kay
Snavely
Healthier Kids Foundation
Rafael
Vaquerano
Gardner Health Services
Mara
Williams Low
Leo M. Shortino Family Foundation
Joe
Herrity
Groundwork Consulting
Marlene Zapata*
- Kids in Common Board Member
Marilyn
Ampuero
Pacific Clinics
Matt
Bell
Pivotal
Mariel
Caballero
SCC Probation Department
Dawn
Coppin
San Jose Public Library Foundation
Zelia
Faria Costa
Behavioral Health Services Dept
Kyra
Kazantzis
Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits
Linda
Lenoir
Mary
Patterson
Child Advocates of Silicon Valley
Christine
Thorsteinson
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Joey
Vaughan
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
Marlene
Zapata
KIC Board
Bernice
Aguilera Toney
South County Youth Task Force/ Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office
Catherine
Aspiras
County of Santa Clara BHSD School -based services
Arcel V.
Blume
Social Services Agency, County of Santa Clara
Israel
Canjura
City Of San Jose-Youth Empowerment Alliance
Mary Ann
Dewan
Mary Cheryl B
Gloner
KIC Board
Gay
Krause
Krause Center for Innovation-MVLA/Challenge Team
Fernando
Mendoza
Stanford University
Patty
Ramirez
Program Manager II, Santa Clara County Social Services Agency
Rosemary
Tisch
Prevention Partnership International/Celebrating Families!
Jamie
Wang
Kids In Common Treasurer
Matthew
Tinsley
SCCOE - Early Ed
Brenda
Alvarezmoya
Parents Helping Parents
Kelly
Batson
United Way Bay Area
Lee Anna
Botkin, MD
Santa Clara Valley Healthcare
Teresa
Castellanos
Community Activist
Sarah
Duffy
Social Services Agency, County of Santa Clara
Veronica P
Goei
Grail Family Services
Hilary
Kushins
Dependency Advocacy Center
Grace
Meregillano
Santa Clara County Public Health Department
Josh
Selo
Bill Wilson Center
Patrick
Tondreau
Tracy
Weatherby
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
Tamara
Schane
The Law Foundation
Member Organizations
Children Now
County of Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing
Parents Helping Parents*
Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits
City of San José
County of Santa Clara Probation Dept.*
San José Public Library Foundation
Stanford Children’s Health
County of Santa Clara Dept. of Family & Children’s Services
Gardner Health Services*
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
United Way Bay Area*
County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency*
Healthier Kids Foundation
Silicon Valley Community Foundation*
* Member of the Children’s Agenda Leadership Council