IE Children's Cabinet
This cabinet was designed to meet the goal of building a two-county Children’s Cabinet to support children, youth, and families and improve the ability to advance health and racial equity in our communities.
The foundation of the Inland Empire Children’s Cabinet is rooted in the need of equitable data driven policy that improves outcomes and quality of life for children in the region.
The Inland Empire Community Collaborative is committed to improving the lives of children and families in the IE. Through our large network of nonprofit organizations, IECC is well positioned to advocate for the community on a grander scale to demand justice and equity for children, families, and a wide intersection of underserved and marginalized communities.
Pillars of the Inland Empire Children's Cabinet
The IE Children’s Cabinet is focused on drafting policy solutions in four core areas: Basic Needs, Childcare, Youth Education, and Health & Wellness.
These pillars are broken into 3 age groups: Early Childhood (0-5 years of age), Grade School (6-13 years of age), and Young Adult (14-18 years of age).
These pillars are encapsulated by the understanding that the policy solutions recommended by this body will be rooted in equity.
Advocacy & Equity
The Inland Empire Children’s Cabinet aims to advocate on behalf of all families and their children. We know that growing and maintaining relationships in the community is essential to any grassroots movement or advocacy effort. As our cabinet grows, so does our influence and we intend to utilize our voice as a collaborative to advocate for equitable policies and funding to better the lives of children in the Inland Empire, California, and beyond.
American Rescue Plan Act Funding Recommendations
The Inland Empire Children’s Cabinet has worked on putting together a letter for the San Bernardino County and Riverside County Board of Supervisors that urges the counties to prioritize American Rescue Plans Act funds for children in five major areas: Child Care, Child and Youth Programs, Behavioral and Mental Health, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), and Housing Security. Read the letter and see the data by following the links below for your county.
Basic Needs
Many children in the Inland Empire are in need of many essential goods and services including stable housing and dedicated safe spaces. We want to work with nonprofit, public, and private organizations to further support the development of structures that give children and foster families resources that go beyond basic needs.
Categories of Interest: Homelessness | Safety | Foster Care Needs
Childcare
It is critical to the socioeconomic health of the region to provide around the clock childcare services to families who work outside traditional school hours. Our current childcare system does not come close to meeting the needs of working families. With high costs and limited accessibility women bear the burden of providing at home childcare. It is essential that we act quickly and boldly to address the need of childcare for the region and across the state.
Categories of Interest: Childcare | Infrastructure | Workforce Development | Equitable Access
Helpful Facts and Resources
84% of families in the IE do not have access to childcare simply because the infrastructure doesn’t exist. (Source)
Childcare workers are among the lowest-paid workers nationwide, with greater disparities among those working with infants. (Source)
The pandemic has pushed over 4.2 million women out of the workforce due to the high cost of childcare. (Source)
Youth Education
Providing families with a quality education is essential for securing a bright future for children in the Inland Empire. It begins with making sure our systems of education are addressing the needs of every child. We welcome collaboration from across the network of bi-county Inland Empire partners working to streamline pathways from high school to postsecondary education and into the workforce.
Categories of Interest: School Funding | Art Education | Foster Needs
Health & Wellness
Quality and accessible healthcare is critical to the wellbeing of growing children at every age. Expanding on mental health services, services for children with disabilities, and guaranteeing access to all forms of healthcare to children are only a few key components required to address the fundamental causes of poverty and inequity in the Inland Empire. Investing in the health and wellness of our future ensures we create more equitable avenues for opportunity to all children.
Categories of Interest: Behavioral Health | School Health | ACEs | Disabilities
Committee Interest Form
Are you interested in joining the IE Children’s Cabinet? Fill out the form to join our Subcommittee Interest List! You will be contacted when the committees are ready to start meeting.
Thank You to our Funders
Contact us: To learn more about the IE Children’s Cabinet email
Susan Gomez at susangomez@ieccnonprofit.org or Brian Romo at brianromo@ieccnonprofit.org
IE Children’s Cabinet Member Portal
For current IE Children’s Cabinet members, please follow the link below to access all of your online resources on SharePoint. If you are having problems accessing your account, please email Brian Romo at brianromo@ieccnonprofit.org for immediate assistance.