Michele Kayal Vice President, Media and Communications
Michele Kayal is an award-winning journalist who has covered everything from post-Communist Europe to country music cookbooks for the New York Times, Associated Press, NPR and other national outlets. As a “recovering reporter” she now deploys her media and communications skills on behalf of the children served by First Focus and First Focus Campaign for Children.
Before joining First Focus, Michele spent three years leading communications for Relief International, a $100 million humanitarian organization providing refugee assistance in 16 countries. For more on Michele’s background, please visit her LinkedIn profile.
Statement: Child care bills help industry; Funding must be included in the next COVID-19 relief package
Michele Kayal | July 29, 2020 |
First Focus Campaign for Children applauds today’s House passage of two critical and complementary child care bills, but the good work will mean nothing …
Child poverty bill to benefit millions of children
Michele Kayal | July 3, 2020 |
COVID-19 pushing poverty numbers higher Today’s reintroduction of the Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2020 has come just in time. The Child Poverty Reduction …
Statement: Children gain coverage, access in new legislation
Michele Kayal | June 25, 2020 |
First Focus Campaign for Children is pleased that The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 1425), unveiled today by chairs of the House health …
Statement: Today’s introduction of the Child Care is Essential Act
Michele Kayal | May 27, 2020 |
In response to introduction of the Child Care Is Essential Act in the House and the Senate, Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus Campaign …
HEROES Act shortchanges children
Michele Kayal | May 14, 2020 |
Important strides, but key issues overlooked The $3 trillion Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, unveiled this week by the House …
Bipartisan CHIPPER Act offers strong solution
Michele Kayal | May 13, 2020 |
As the economic toll of COVID-19 robs American families of their jobs and the health insurance that comes with them, lawmakers must act decisively …
Children hit hard by COVID-19 fallout
Michele Kayal | April 21, 2020 |
Advocate Demands Congress Protect Kids COVID-19 may not be killing children in the same numbers as adults, but the virus that has locked down …
Statement: Senate package good first step for kids but children need more robust measures
Michele Kayal | March 26, 2020 |
We commend Senate lawmakers’ unanimous passage of the $2 trillion coronavirus emergency bill, and even more, for using it to offer relief to America’s …
Statement: Congress’s coronavirus response is a good first step, but bigger, bolder measures are needed
Michele Kayal | March 18, 2020 |
We applaud Congress for passing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, providing families and children with increased food and nutrition assistance, supplemental state funding …
First Focus Campaign for Children identifies 120 lawmakers who prioritize children
Michele Kayal | March 12, 2020 |
In 2019, nearly one-in-six of our nation’s children lived in poverty. The number of kids without health insurance rose to more than 4 million, …