BUDGET ADVOCACY: MAKING KIDS A PRIORITY IN THE CITY BUDGET

Because most needed improvements in services for children, youth and their families require money, each year Coleman works to see that good ideas for helping kids get translated into hard cash in the city budget. Kids don't vote or pay city hall lobbyists. We know that without vigorous advocacy and organizing, children's programs become a low public policy priority. Most of the city budget gets developed behind closed doors - with public input only at the very end of the process, and only influencing a tiny portion of the budget. In addition to pursuing a budget that prioritizes children, we want to see the entire budget process reformed.

Coleman's major goal is to involve those most affected by city budget priorities in the budget discussion. Our work includes:

- Training parents, youth, community activists and service providers on influencing the budget process.
- Convening work groups to identify and research budget priorities.
- Publishing reports and other materials on budget needs.
- Sponsoring events and demonstrations, such as Speak Up for Kids Day, 1000 Kid March, and the Baby Brigade, that provide opportunities for the public to express opinions about the budget.
- Providing testimony at public hearings on the budget, and meeting with elected officials about budget priorities.
- Making recommendations for improvements in the city budget process that increases public involvement and scrutiny of departmental budgets.

In recent years, our work has resulted in millions of dollars added to the budget for kids. This includes $12 million additional annual dollars for childcare, as well as millions more for after-school programs, universal health care, youth development, and family support. Coleman has also had tremendous influence in modifying the city budget process, including creating pressure for increased public hearings and responsiveness to direct input from the community, increased openness from the Mayor's Office, and collaboration between the executive and legislative branches.

SAN FRANCISCO'S BUDGET TIMELINE

• November-February
  City departments create their budgets (Don't forget: Everything the City does is part of a department.)
  
  
• February-June 1st
  Mayor's budget staff craft city budget and the Board of Supervisors holds preliminary hearings on city departments.
  
  
• June 1st-mid-July
  Board of Supervisor analyzes and modifies budget.
  
  

CURRENT BUDGET UPDATES AND POLICY PAPERS – 2004

• Revenue fact sheet
  
  
• Budget cut fact sheet
  
  
• Randall fact sheet
  
  
• SFFD fact sheet
  
  
• Binder survey on priorities
  
  
• Report on survey on budget cuts
  
  

GENERAL RESOURCES

• Board of Supervisors Who Signed the SF Child Advocacy Network's Pledge For Children Wins in November 2004 Elections--click here for a copy of the pledge
  The following Supervisors during their 2004 campaign made a pledge to work and vote for policies that improve the lives of chidren and youth, and make San Francisco a more family friendly community. San Franciscans--let us keep them accountable to their promises now they are in city hall!
  District 1: Jake McGoldrick
  District 2: Michela Alioto-Pier
  District 3: Aaron Peskin
  
  
• "Budget Advocacy at the Local Level: Helpful Hints" by Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth
  
  
• "Turning up the Heat for Happy, Healthy Kids" an advocacy manual by Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth
  
  
• "San Francisco's Budget Process and Reforms: Evaluation and Recommendations, September 2002" – a critique of San Francisco's budget process
  
  
• Click here for additional resources.