It's time to show your support again!
On Wednesday (March 30), the California Senate Education Committee will take up SB 1481, Food with Care. For the first time, Senators will be discussing and debating the value of this proposed policy.
It's important that they hear from you — their constituents and the people who are most affected by this bill.
We know not everyone has the time to sit around and watch a Legislative hearing to provide their support. Read on -- we offer a few different options through which to show your support.
Providing Public Comment at the Senate Education Committee hearing:
The hearing starts at 9am and the agenda is here. SB 1481 is third in the file order, BUT we're hearing that first item on the agenda, could take up to an hour or hour and half to be heard. So our best guess is that SB 1481 will be heard around 10-10:30 AM.
But I hate calling into hearings, it takes forever! We totally understand how frustrating and time-consuming it can be to call into hearings and wait around for your chance to speak for 10 seconds. If you'd like, we are happy to email you when SB 1481 is about to be up. That should give people 5-10 minutes to call in before witness testimony ends and public comment begins. Send Elyse a quick email and she'll add you to her list: elyse@ccfproundtable.org
How to call in to the hearing to provide public comment:
Participant Call-in Phone Number: 877-226-8163
Access Code: 7362833
Teleconference Instructions: Please note: In order for your testimony to be heard clearly, you must mute any devices you are using to live stream the committee hearing prior to calling into the teleconference service. Please do not testify using speakerphone or bluetooth, this can cause acoustic feedback and make it very difficult to hear your testimony.
Upon calling in, you will be placed in a “waiting room” where you will be muted but you can listen to the committee hearing as you wait.
When a committee moves to public comment, a moderator will ask for anyone who is wishing to testify in “Support” of the bill to please press 1-0. The moderator will again prompt those waiting in “Opposition” when the committee moves to opposition. You should press 1-0 when you are prompted by the moderator – be sure to listen for support or opposition and DO NOT press 1-0 until the proper position has been asked for.
When you press 1-0 on your phone, you will wait and an operator will assign you a line number, at that time you will be placed in the queue for identification. Remember your line number, the moderator will call out that number to identify YOU when it is your turn to testify. OF IMPORTANT NOTE: If you press 1-0 a second time, you will remove yourself from the queue and you will not be identified to testify. Every time you press 1-0 you either put yourself “In queue” or take yourself “Out of queue” so listen carefully, and press 1-0 only once when you are prompted by the moderator.
When you are successfully in the queue, with your assigned line number, the moderator will call out your line number, open your line, and at that time you may address the committee. You must have your own phone unmuted before you begin testimony.
A more detailed explanation of the teleconference instructions can be found here.
Sample comment -- feel free to make it your own, but don't forget to say the bolded sentence below (you may only have time to say the bolded sentence):
Good morning Chair Leyva and members. This is [Your Name] with [Organization] from [City], calling in strong support of SB 1481: Food with Care - Free Meals for Kids in Preschool and Child Care.With adequate funding and support, the Child and Adult Care Food program has the power to fill the gap in equitable access to healthy meals in child care, while supporting the financial stability of the child care workforce.I respectfully ask for your "aye" vote on SB 1481 to ensure our youngest learners receive the nutrition they need, and that child care providers are fairly compensated.Thank you. No time to call into the hearing on March 30? That's okay!
Here are some other options:
Call you local state Senator and ask for their support of SB 1481. Find your Senator here.
Send in a letter of support.
Volunteer to support the campaign.
And more opportunities will come up, so subscribe to our newsletter and stay tuned.
Questions? elyse@ccfproundtable.org
The CACFP Roundtable is committed to fostering a community of leaders who work together to build equitable access to the Child and Adult Care Food Program and nutritious meals in care settings. Your support goes toward programs and advocacy that help us get closer to ensuring everyone has the right to nutritious meals and making the CACFP an even better Food Program for all.
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