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.
New HUD Homeless Data Grossly Undercounts Children and Youth
Michele Kayal | January 8, 2020 |
Decline in rate misleading and Fast Facts about children, youth and homelessness Government data released yesterday grossly undercount homeless children, youth and families, and …
Congress must prioritize children and address unfinished business in budget deal
Michele Kayal | December 20, 2019 |
First Focus Campaign for Children (FFCC) is pleased that Congress has produced an appropriations package for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) that includes important investment …
Statement: Congress Must Pass Budget Deal And Ensure Timely Resources for Children
Michele Kayal | July 24, 2019 |
First Focus Campaign for Children applauds budget progressUrges lawmakers to ensure timely resources for children The budget caps and debt limit deal reached by …
Proposed Changes to SNAP will Overwhelmingly Harm Children
Michele Kayal | July 23, 2019 |
Today, the Trump Administration has proposed yet another rule that will make it harder for families with children to put food on the table. …
Press Release: First Focus Campaign for Children applauds passage of H.R. 3300 as a positive first step toward cutting child poverty in half
Michele Kayal | June 20, 2019 |
A second bill, on child care, also provides vital supports for families WASHINGTON—The Economic Mobility Act of 2019 (H.R. 3300), passed yesterday by the …
Statement: In support of The Protecting Immigrant Families and Improving Immigration Procedures Act of 2019
Michele Kayal | June 13, 2019 |
The First Focus Campaign for Children applauds the introduction of S. 1733, The Protecting Immigrant Families and Improving Immigration Procedures Act of 2019 by …
Press Release: 120 Lawmakers Prioritize Children
Michele Kayal | May 8, 2019 |
First Focus Campaign for Children 2018 Congressional Scorecard ranks child protectors 2018 was a terrible year for children. It was the year they were …
Statement: First Focus Campaign for Children Calls on Administration to “Do No Harm”
Michele Kayal | April 10, 2019 |
It’s hard to believe we’re here again. Apparently, the inhumane treatment enforced by the Department of Homeland Security under departing Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen was …