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: New refugee protection legislation advances child safety
Michele Kayal | December 22, 2022 |
Bill offers “workable, affirmative vision,” advocate says In response to today’s introduction of the Refugee Protection Act, First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley made the following statement: …
Statement: Budget bill boosts child care, children’s health
Michele Kayal | December 20, 2022 |
Child poverty and other issues to get greater coordination In response to the FY 2023 budget deal reached by Congressional negotiators, First Focus Campaign for …
Nearly 300 advocates push Congress to restore improved Child Tax Credit
Michele Kayal | December 8, 2022 |
Improved CTC “kept children fed and warm and in their homes” Nearly 300 organizations today urged Congress to lock in tax credits that support …
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, …