Kids Need Your Help

There’s still time! We’ve got another chance to tell Congress that in the midst of a public health crisis, we can’t take fruits and vegetables off kids’ school lunch trays.

Last week—after intense debate—Congress postponed a crucial vote to either gut or protect new standards that have improved school lunches. We’re gaining more and more momentum, and until the House of Representatives votes, we’re keeping the pressure on—act now to defend healthy school lunches for kids!

Union of Concerned Scientists analysis has shown that increasing our consumption of fruits and vegetables could prevent thousands of deaths and billions of dollars in health care costs each year from diet-related chronic disease. Today, Americans of all ages are not eating nearly enough of these healthy foods.

Congress recently improved federally funded school lunches by requiring at least half a cup of fruits and vegetables with every meal. These standards were a positive first step in ensuring that kids will get the foods they need to grow up healthy. We can’t go back on the gains we have made to improve kids’ diets.

Urge your member of Congress to stop the attack on healthy school lunch standards!

Sincerely,

Ashley Elles
National Field Organizer
Food & Environment Program
Union of Concerned Scientists

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday endorsed the appointment of a child protection czar to make sweeping changes in the way the county protects abused and neglected children.

The action comes a year after the death of Gabriel Fernandez, an 8-year-old boy who was severely beaten despite repeated calls to the child welfare authorities. The case was first reported by The Times.

The new Office of Child Protection would represent the most significant reorganization of county government in nearly a decade since the supervisors selected William T Fujioka as chief executive and endowed his office with significantly enhanced authority. The child welfare czar would report directly to the supervisors and be responsible for developing a funding and policy strategy for the Department of Children and Family Services and all other county departments responsible for protecting vulnerable children.

The vote on the proposal was 4-1, with Supervisor Don Knabe opposed; he called it an unnecessary new layer of bureaucracy.

For the latest information go to www.latimes.com