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.
120 lawmakers propelled record investment in children, new scorecard says
Michele Kayal | November 3, 2022 |
Scorecard for 117th ranks members’ commitment to children One-hundred-and-twenty members of Congress helped propel record investment in children this year, according to a new …
Statement: Fear no longer an obstacle to benefits for children of immigrants
Michele Kayal | September 9, 2022 |
In response to the Biden Administration’s release of a final rule on public charge, First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley made the following statement: “We …
Statement: Inflation Reduction Act’s climate investments will protect children but Congress must work harder to restore children to the agenda
Michele Kayal | August 16, 2022 |
On today’s signing of the Inflation Reduction Act, First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley made the following statement: “We applaud the House …
On its 25th Anniversary, we must make CHIP permanent
Michele Kayal | August 5, 2022 |
Congress must add CHIP permanency to the Inflation Reduction Act On the 25-year anniversary of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), First Focus Campaign For …
Statement: Reconciliation must make room for children
Michele Kayal | July 29, 2022 |
In response to the reconciliation agreement unveiled by Sens. Schumer and Manchin — the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) —First Focus Campaign For Children President …
Free school meals, national Summer EBT included in anti-hunger bill
Michele Kayal | July 27, 2022 |
First Focus Campaign for Children applauds the introduction of the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 8450), aimed at reducing child hunger and improving the health …
Statement: Migrant children will be safer under proposed measure
Michele Kayal | July 13, 2022 |
In response to today’s introduction of the Children’s Safe Welcome Act, Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus Campaign for Children, released the following statement: “For too long, …
120 lawmakers delivered best results for kids in decades, new scorecard says
Michele Kayal | June 2, 2022 |
One-hundred-and-twenty members of Congress made children a priority in 2021, according to a new analysis by First Focus Campaign for Children, achieving the best results …
Child care proposal would meet critical need
Michele Kayal | May 19, 2022 |
Early learning must be included in any budget deal First Focus Campaign for Children is pleased to support the child care and preschool reconciliation proposal put …
Children’s mental health would get boost from bill
Michele Kayal | May 10, 2022 |
Strengthening the role of schools in mental health promotion, prevention and intervention is key to battling the mental health crisis afflicting our nation’s children, experts said during First Focus on Children’s Kids and …