Estimado amigo,

La sesión legislativa de este año ya está en proceso. En la nueva Asamblea General, comencé con gran actividad presentando una variedad de iniciativas de ley en el Senado enfocadas en la educación infantil temprana, vivienda, prevención de la violencia, y más. Puede encontrar más información sobre las iniciativas en que estoy trabajando visitando mi sitio de internet, o sígame en las redes sociales en Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, y LinkedIn.

Además de obtener logros en mi trabajo en el Capitolio, siempre estoy buscando formas de ayudar a mis representados, destacando oportunidades de su interés u organizando eventos que los acercan a recursos útiles. Lea más para ver el resumen informativo y las actualizaciones que le pueden ser de utilidad.

Como siempre, siéntase en libertad de comunicarse con mi oficina si necesita asistencia llamando al 773-278-2020, enviando un mensaje de texto al 773-207-7838, o mandando una nota a través de www.senatorpacionezayas.com/contact-us.

Sinceramente,

Senadora Estatal Cristina Pacione-Zayas | Distrito 20

Actualizaciones

Celebrando el Mes de la Historia de las Mujeres

Es marzo – y eso significa que, ¡es el Mes de la Historia de las Mujeres! Me siento orgullosa de ser parte del mes de la historia de las mujeres como servidora pública. Infórmese sobre las mujeres líderes cuyo activismo y lucha nos han puesto donde estamos hoy: www.womenshistory.org.

El 8 de marzo fue el Día Internacional de la Mujer. Una felicitación especial a las maravillosas mujeres que son parte de mi equipo. No sólo aportan un talento inmenso y trabajo arduo, pero también aportan experiencias únicas que informan nuestro trabajo para apoyar y mejorar las vidas de otras mujeres. Más información sobre el Día Internacional de la Mujer aquí: www.internationalwomensday.com.

Audiencias Temáticas en Educación Temprana Infantil

Nos emociona haber comenzado una serie de cinco audiencias temáticas conjuntas de los comités de Educación Temprana Infantil del Senado y la Cámara de Representantes, para explicar la importancia de invertir en los años tempranos de los pequeños, y sobre los cuatro componentes del programa Smart Start Illinois. Nuestra primera audiencia contó con un grupo de expertos en educación temprana: el presidente del Instituto Erikson, la Dra. Mariana Souto-Manning, el Dr. James Heckman de The Heckman Equation, y el Dr. Arthur Rolnick de la Universidad de Minnesota en las Twin Cities. Este pendiente de mis canales en las redes sociales para más información sobre la siguiente audiencia temática para que nos sintonice en https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp.

Codificando las Visitas Domiciliarias de DHS

Tenemos que reconocer que cuando un niño nace, también nace un padre de familia. Todos los padres tienen el deseo de proveer las mejores condiciones para el crecimiento de sus hijos, sin embargo, no recibimos un instructivo con cada niño. Retos inesperados pueden surgir para las familias que podrían debilitar su habilidad para satisfacer esas necesidades. Los programas de visitas domiciliarias funcionan con base en la evidencia para propiciar la unidad familiar, y poner en contacto a los familiares con recursos muy importantes, y ofrecer consejos de bienestar y desarrollo que contribuyan a un resultado óptimo para los niños facilitando una mayor estabilidad familiar. Lea más sobre mi iniciativa para codificar las visitas domiciliarias de DHS aquí.

Ampliando las Escuelas Comunitarias

Las escuelas comunitarias complementan la educación escolar formal al proveer programas fuera de la escuela que incluyen enriquecimiento artístico, ayuda con las tareas, desarrollo de liderazgo, deportes, y educación para adultos. Su impacto puede ser transformador para los jóvenes y para toda la comunidad. Mi nueva iniciativa apoyará un mayor acceso a las escuelas comunitarias en Illinois. Lea más aquí. 

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Last Monday, I was honored to attend the celebration in honor of Casimir Pulaski Day at the Polish Museum of America hosted by Rich Owsiany, President of the Polish Museum of America, and Małgorzata Kot, the Museum’s Executive Director. As a state and city holiday , many Polish-Americans use the day to honor the birthday of Pulaski, a Polish-born soldier who made a significant contribution to usher in democracy and independence in this country. He is considered the “father of the American cavalry” and trained American troops before eventually being killed in battle during the Revolutionary War. 

While at this event, we also were thrilled to unveil signage designating Milwaukee Avenue from Sangamon Street in Chicago to Greenwood Road in Niles as the Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor. This designation honors the contributions Polish Americans have made to Illinois for generations. Last year, I spearheaded House Bill 5581 along with now Congresswoman Delia Ramirez to support community interests in designating an artery, Milwaukee Ave., that connects many Polish businesses, cultural institutions, and residents. This law not only recognizes the impact of cultural contributions of the Polish community  to our state but also encourages tourists to visit these areas, support existing businesses, or even attract new stores to the area. Joining the celebration honoring Casimir Pulaski and unveiling the signage for this designation was an amazing full-circle celebratory moment reminding myself and other officials how important visibility and inclusion is for thriving communities across the state.

SPRINGFIELD – In collaboration with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, State Senator Cristina H. Pacione-Zayas introduced new legislation to clarify and expand offerings and funding for community schools in Illinois, ensuring that innovative community education models can reach more geographies.

“As a former community schools director, I can testify to the numerous benefits community schools yield for students, their families, and communities at large. Thriving communities have strong neighborhood schools that extend their walls into the neighborhood,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago). “Community schools complement formal schooling by providing out of school time programming including arts enrichment, homework help, leadership development, sports, and adult education. The positive impact can be transformational for young people and an entire community. This initiative will support greater access to students and families across Illinois.”  

Community schools are schools that cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships between the school and other community resources to promote student achievement, positive learning conditions, and the well-being of students through wraparound services. SB2391 adds language about a designated program coordinator and articulates types of wrap-around services that could be offered in a community school.

Currently, the Illinois State Board of Education passes through federal grants to create new sites and support existing community schools across the state. Senate Bill 2391 broadens the offerings of community schools, promotes trauma informed interventions, and encourages the state to ensure funding opportunities through state and federal resources.  

“Every school should have access to the resources needed to become a sustainable community school, including a designated community school coordinator, which is essential to link services and develop community partnerships” said Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery. “The transformative power of community schools, and their unique capacity to serve all students, have proven to positively impact academic, health, and social outcomes for students by providing year-round, comprehensive, multi-faceted support for whole child/whole community well-being. With this legislation, it is our hope the number of community schools will increase throughout the state.”

Senate Bill 2391 passed the Education committee on March 7, 2023. It now goes to the Senate floor for further consideration.

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SPRINGFIELD – A legislative initiative introduced by State Senator Cristina H. Pacione-Zayas codifies home visiting programs administered by the Department of Human Services for over 30 years. Home visiting is an essential program in the early childhood ecosystem that helps eligible parents and caregivers support their child’s development from the prenatal phase through age five.

“We have to acknowledge that when a child is born, a parent is born as well. All parents desire to provide the best upbringing for their children, but instruction manuals do not come with each child. Unexpected challenges can arise for families and potentially undermine their ability to meet these needs,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago). “Home visiting programs are evidence-based and aim to support bond building, connect families to critical community resources, and provide guidance on wellness and development to contribute to optimal child outcomes and greater family stability.”

Typical home visits involve in-person interviews with family members and caregivers, guidance on promoting safety in the family’s living space, coaching on approaches to parenting that promote healthy development.  “Start Early has long championed the importance of home visiting programs for expecting and new families. We are excited to see SB1794 advance, which ensures these programs have the legal authority to continue to support Illinois families for generations to come,” said Ireta Gasner, Vice President Illinois Policy. 

Currently, DHS home visiting programs exist because of budget appropriations from the state or the federal government. This initiative to codify DHS home visiting programs contributes to the sustainability of critical resources for families with young children and sets the stage for increased investments as proposed in the Governor JB Pritzker’s Smart Start Illinois plan. As such, Senator Pacione-Zayas, a longtime early childhood advocate, has been leading the charge to deepen the knowledge of General Assembly members to understand the importance of investing in the early years through a series of subject matter hearings in the Senate Early Childhood Committee.  

Senate Bill 1794 passed the Senate Health and Human Services committee on March 7, 2023. It now goes to the Senate floor for further consideration.