Oakland

Opinion: Let’s Raise a Stronger Alameda County Together with Measure A

Published

8 years ago

May 6, 2018

Oakland Post

Measure on June 5 ballot supports child care and preschool

By Nancy Harvey

For more than 18 years, I’ve served families as an educator in the Bay Area, focusing on children ages 0-3 years old for the last 14 years as a family child care provider out of my West Oakland home.

I’m a third-generation West Oakland resident and relish sharing my neighborhood’s endless educational resources with children in my care—from visits to the local public library to Oakland parks and arranging visits with our fire department.

It is these early education opportunities that are helping children in my care develop, thrive and be ready for kindergarten and beyond. As a former kindergarten to 3rd grade teacher in Oakland schools and a mother of three, I know the difference quality early education makes in a child’s life.

We also know our Black and Brown children are bearing the brunt of the crisis with too many of them at a disadvantage before they even start their K-12 educational path.

Sadly, only 44 percent of Alameda County’s children enter kindergarten fully ready for school. And approximately 7,000 county children are waiting to enroll in an early education program. I’ve seen families, even dual-income parents with advanced degrees, move away unable to afford quality child care in addition to the skyrocketing housing costs here.

We have an education crisis on our hands in Alameda County.

The good news is we all can do something to put them on a better course by voting YES on Measure A on June 5. Measure A will provide our local children with safe, quality child care programs and ensure we educate young minds early, when 90 percent of brain development occurs.

Through a modest one-half cent sales tax, this measure will generate $140 million per year to enroll thousands of children in child care and preschool annually.

The measure will also be used to attract and retain quality childcare workers like me, so educators can afford to live and work in this region and keep building our next generation of responsible K-12 students, college graduates and citizens.

This is a critical piece of the measure because many child care providers are struggling and not able to earn a living wage despite being tasked with the responsibility of shaping young minds. We are also often lack healthcare benefits or the ability to retire in dignity.

Despite these challenges, I maintain a low staff-to-child ratio to ensure that the children in my care have the necessary adult-children interactions that promote increased, quality learning opportunities and prevent education gaps from developing. Measure A would help more children have this type of quality education experience.

It’s been a long road to have a solid solution before us that parents, child care providers, educators and our elected leaders all agree on.
Now it’s time for our entire community to commit to raising up a stronger Oakland together by investing in children, families, and educators.

Please join me in voting YES on Measure A to help all children and families in our community thrive.

Nancy Harvey is a Family Child Care Provider in Oakland and an associate member of Service Employees International Union Local 521.

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Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

Published

2 days ago

July 5, 2026

Oakland Post

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Arts and Culture

Prescott Circus Theatre Presents Free Summer Performance Series

Now in its 41st year, the Prescott Circus Theatre is a nationally recognized performing arts education program for Oakland youth. The circus offers safe environments that challenge Oakland youth, through circus arts training, to develop the skills and confidence to thrive on stage, in school, and in life.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Prescott Circus showcase pathways pyramid. Photo courtesy of Prescott Circus.

By Post Staff

The Prescott Circus, Oakland’s longest-running youth circus, is returning this summer with its free shows. Join the Prescott Circus’s young stars as they share their joys and talents through stilt-dancing, tumbling, juggling, and more.

At the heart of this one-hour show, which demonstrates teamwork, pride, and joy, are Oakland Unified School District students ages 8 – 17 from more than 10 different schools

This is accomplished through no-cost school and community programs for more than 300 Oakland youth each year. Performing company members from Prescott, where the program began, perform and make appearances at as many as 40 Bay Area events each year.

The summer program is funded in part by Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, California Arts Council, Port of Oakland, and the West Davis & Bergard Foundation.

Performances will be held Tuesday, July 14, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (ASL interpreted) and Wednesday, July 15, 11 a.m., at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. For free reservations go to

https://PrescottCircusSummerShows.eventbrite.com

For group reservations for camps, childcare centers, senior centers, go to www.prescottcircus.org

A community show will be held Saturday, July 18, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., at DeFremery Park,1651 Adeline St., Oakland.

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Activism

NPRC Joins National Grand Jury Proceedings Seeking Accountability, Constitutional Restoration

Organizers state that testimony will explore historical and political developments that they believe have contributed to the expansion of corporate influence over public institutions and governmental decision-making. Participants are expected to discuss concerns regarding constitutional governance, individual liberties, property rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo by Billie Powers.

Special to The Post

The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) has joined Toll and Roll and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations, victims, whistleblowers, and citizen groups in support of a nationally broadcast People’s Grand Jury proceeding scheduled for July 1 and July 7.

Organizers describe the event as a public forum designed to examine allegations of government abuse, judicial misconduct, legislative failures, and the erosion of constitutional protections affecting millions of Americans.

The proceedings will feature testimony from victims, families, advocates, and organizations from across the country who contend they have experienced harm through government actions, institutional neglect, and failures of oversight.

According to organizers, the People’s Grand Jury will focus on concerns involving probate courts, guardianships, conservatorships, child welfare systems, property rights, civil liberties, and what participants view as a growing disconnect between government institutions and the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to serve.

NPRC is participating because many of the issues being examined mirror the concerns raised by advocates, victims, and families who have participated in its monthly town halls. For years, families have reported cases involving exploitation of elders, questionable guardianships, estate depletion, denial of due process, and a lack of meaningful oversight within probate court systems.

“This proceeding gives victims and advocates an opportunity to place their experiences on the public record,” said Tanya Dennis, lead facilitator of NPRC. “For too long, families have struggled to have their voices heard regarding elder abuse, probate exploitation, and government inaction. This forum allows those stories to be shared before a national audience.”

In keeping with principles of transparency and fairness, invitations have been extended to legislators, members of the judiciary, law enforcement representatives, and other public officials who may wish to respond to concerns raised during the proceedings or defend actions taken by their respective institutions.

One of the primary outcomes sought by organizers is public consideration and support for the People’s Remedy and Restoration Act, a proposed legislative framework that advocates believe would strengthen oversight, increase accountability, provide remedies for victims of governmental abuse, and restore constitutional protections.

The proceedings are expected to be broadcast nationally, providing citizens throughout the United States an opportunity to observe testimony, review evidence presented, and participate in an ongoing conversation regarding government accountability and the protection of individual rights.

Advocates hope the hearings will encourage meaningful dialogue, legislative reform, and renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

Individuals, organizations, public officials, and members of the media interested in attending or obtaining access information may contact the organizers at tollandroll2025@gmail.com.

As Americans continue to debate the future of constitutional governance, judicial accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens, the July proceedings are expected to serve as a significant forum for public testimony and civic engagement. For more information, go to https://tollandroll.com