LOS ANGELES – Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) today joined forces with Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) and First 5 LA in hosting a children and family advocacy forum covering issues ranging from the children’s health insurance legislation that’s currently being debated in the State Legislature to issues such as children’s health, juvenile diabetes, and the universal preschool movement.

The Forum provided a great opportunity to educate the public about the emerging dynamics of the children and family advocacy debate, the national and electoral ramifications, and how they could become a leader in this emerging movement.

“There is no greater priority in California than ensuring a healthy life for our children,” Assemblymember Levine said. “Investing in the health and welfare of our children improves their development, school performance, and results in long-term savings in health care costs. The health of our children is truly tantamount to the health of our society.”

Assemblymember Levine has a deep passion for health and physical fitness. In 2004, he created the Assemblymember Lloyd Levine Kids Fit & Fun Challenge in which schools compete to bring out the most students, families and teachers to walk, run, bike or skate a five kilometer course. The event was designed with the belief that exposing kids to “fun” exercise will help them see that physical activity is not a chore. He has also carried legislation to help clinics treat obesity-related diabetes and asthma, and to help make sure student food is nutritious. He is also one of two Legislators on the California Taskforce for Youth and Workplace Wellness.

Today’s forum was held at the First 5 LA Building. First 5 LA is a unique child-advocacy organization created by California voters to invest tobacco tax revenues in programs improving the lives of children in Los Angeles County, from prenatal through age 5. First 5 LA champions health, education, and safety causes concerning young children and families.

“At First 5 LA, we are committed to ensuring that every child in LA County gets the best possible start in life – and we know from extensive research that this must start even before birth, with the health and welfare of the pregnant woman,” First 5 LA Executive Director Evelyn V. Martinez said. “That’s why, to date, First 5 LA has committed more than $800 million to fund programs serving pregnant women, children and families. We are involved in promoting healthy births, school readiness, family literacy, child abuse prevention, universal preschool, free and low-cost health insurance, and many other initiatives throughout LA County.”

Said Dr. Gary Mangiofico, the CEO of Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP), whose goal it is to make voluntary, high-quality preschool available to every 4-year-old child in Los Angeles County, regardless of their family’s income, “Study after study concludes that high-quality preschool aids in the academic and emotional development of young children, provides opportunities for economic growth, has the power to transform communities, and is a worthwhile public investment. By combining innovative business practices with a deep understanding of early childhood education, LAUP seeks to serve as a model for universal preschool systems across the state and around the country.”

Healthcare is without a doubt the biggest topic being discussed at the State Capitol in Sacramento this year, and as such, John Gilman from the Assembly Committee on Health was also present to discuss the health plan that was introduced by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez in December.

Said Speaker Núñez, who was not able to attend today’s forum: “All sides agree health care is the paramount issue in the capitol for 2007. In the “fair share” health care plan I announced in December, we emphasize prevention and wellness; cutting out red tape and government from medical decisions while empowering doctors and patients, containing costs and understanding the special circumstances of small business. Above everything else, however, we emphasize making sure all California children get the health care they need – It’s the practical and moral thing to do.”

Today’s forum closed with a presentation by Michael Petit, the President of Every Child Matters. During the 2006 midterm elections, the issue of children and family advocacy turned the tide in several national campaigns; most of that success was based on the polling and research done by Mr. Petit. He has compiled that information into the online book Homeland Insecurity: America’s Children at Risk, which he presented today.

Drawing mostly from official federal data, Homeland Insecurity shows the challenges families face in raising healthy children. It shows that government policy is failing many of these families. It dispels ideologically driven myths that government-supported programs are ineffectual and that taxes are evil. It shows that some states do much better for children than others. And it shows that a new ten-year $500 billion invest-in-kids initiative would improve the life chances of all children, keep the U.S. competitive in a global economy, and help to support an aging population.

To download the book, please visit the following Web site: http://www.everychildmatters.org/homelandinsecurity/index.html.