On May 8, UNITE-LA joined the Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA) on their monthly advocacy trip to Sacramento.

UNITE-LA recently submitted public comment in response to Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed FY 2024–25 budget, which includes the consolidation of the Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) and the Youth Development Department (YDD) into a new entity: the City Infrastructure for Families Department (CIFD).

UNITE-LA continues to advocate for sustained investments in Gov. Newsom’s proposed budget and issued a press release last month recognizing that tough decisions must be made, while also maintaining a balanced budget.

UNITE-LA’s Senior Vice President of Education Policy and Public Affairs, Sonia Campos-Rivera, had the honor of facilitating a critical dialogue that included philanthropic leaders, public agencies and nonprofit leaders around the federal and state budget implications and its impacts to communities.

On Wednesday, May 21, UNITE-LA staff attended ECE Thrive LA's first annual advocacy trip to Sacramento where we elevated the need for the legislature to continue prioritizing child care and early learning in this year's budget.

UNITE-LA is proud to share that 38 business organizations from across California have signed on to our annual budget letter in support of increased early care and education (ECE) reimbursement rates.

UNITE‑LA took center stage at California Workforce Association’s (CWA) WORKCON in Costa Mesa, spotlighting the real financing challenges faced by workforce programs for opportunity youth and sharing transformative strategies from our My Pathway to Health initiative.

The L.A. Region K-16 Collaborative held its second Career Sector Advisory meeting, focused on the computer science sector, on May 13. The meeting, which convened local employers and K-12 and higher education teachers, faculty and administrators, began by exploring relevant labor market information (LMI) data. The data highlighted a need for developing pathways in key areas like cybersecurity and revealed trends that institutions and employers can use to stay ahead of evolving skill and hiring demands. It also identified persistent regional equity and attainment challenges.

Recently, Humberto Manuel Estratalán, director of Public Policy at UNITE-LA, joined Dr. Michael Olenick, president and CEO, Childcare Resource Center, and board member, UNITE-LA; Adonai Mack, CEO, Child Action, Inc.; and Darryn Harris, chief government affairs and community relations officer, St. John's Community Health, on a panel discussing the intersections between accessible child care and a thriving economy for all.

On April 29, UNITE-LA co-launched A Golden State for Kids, a communications campaign aimed at elevating the critical need of child care statewide.