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.
Five-year waiting period hurts children, women
Michele Kayal | September 10, 2021 |
Today’s introduction of the Lifting Immigrant Families Through Benefits Access Restoration Act of 2021 (LIFT the BAR Act) would level the playing field for thousands of …
Statement: HEAL for Immigrant Families Act expands health care access for immigrants
Michele Kayal | May 13, 2021 |
Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus Campaign for Children, made the following statement in response to the introduction of “The Health Equity and Access under …
More than 250 advocate groups urge White House to fight child poverty
Michele Kayal | April 20, 2021 |
More than 250 national, state, and local organizations are urging the White House to build on the extraordinary child poverty-fighting measures in the latest …
This is the moment — How ordinary people can help America’s kids
Michele Kayal | April 15, 2021 |
It shocks many people to know that the United States has among the highest rates of child poverty in the developed world. That 15 …
More than 500,000 children would benefit from House immigration bills
Michele Kayal | March 18, 2021 |
Immigration bills would spare families “toxic fear” of separation Today, the House of Representatives passed the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 (H.R. …
Victory for immigrant youth in Dream and Promise Act
Michele Kayal | March 5, 2021 |
Advocates welcome expanded provisions, disappointed by juvenile justice exclusions In response to the introduction of the Dream and Promise Act, Bruce Lesley, President of First …
120 lawmakers prioritize children, new scorecard says
Michele Kayal | February 4, 2021 |
117th must build on momentum to tackle challenges, opportunities One-hundred-and-twenty members of Congress made children a priority in 2020, according to a new analysis …
Editorial Board Memo: One single issue will unite the country
Michele Kayal | January 13, 2021 |
To the members of the Editorial Board: Congress has now certified that Joe Biden will be Inaugurated as our nation’s 46th President on January …
Children get “down payment” in COVID-19 relief deal
Michele Kayal | December 22, 2020 |
Parity, health care, nutrition provisions are welcome First Focus Campaign for Children is pleased to see several important gains for children in the COVID-19 …
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 …