Monique Ramos

Partner

Monique Ramos provides California Strategies & Advocacy’s clients strategic insights regarding the State Budget and the Legislative process, as well as specialized policy expertise. She manages the multiple facets of a comprehensive government affairs program, ranging from federal policy initiatives, external stakeholder engagement, fiscal policy, interaction with the Governor’s office and agencies, and the design and execution of a legislative agenda. Ramos’ ability to navigate the complex legislative process in Sacramento consistently exceeds client expectations.

Since joining California Strategies & Advocacy, Ramos has consulted many clients focused on coalition building, legislation, and state budget, including, First 5 Los Angeles, the Early Care and Education Coalition, Californians Together and Pearson. Ramos’ spearhead and supported the following budget successes:

 

  • Approximately $1.5 billion for early care and education over the last three years.
  • $132 million for Californian’s first voluntary CalWORKs Home Visiting pilot program through 2021.
  • $40 million annually for the Foster Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, to ensure foster families have at least six months of child care for new foster placements.
  • $5 million for the Bilingual Professional Development Program, competitive grants to support professional development for teachers and paraprofessionals seeking to provide instruction in bilingual and multilingual settings.
  • $20 million for the Inclusive Early Care Pilot to provide child care teachers with professional development for special needs children.

 

Previously, Ramos served as the Director of the Government Affairs Division under State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson. In that role, Ramos managed the Superintendent and Department of Education’s (CDE) government affairs portfolio for five years including state budget strategy, advocacy, and testimony in Budget Committee and Subcommittee proceedings. Advocacy efforts involved protecting and expanding the California Department of Education’s $84 million budget, protecting Proposition 98’s $70 billion shares of the state budget, and advocating for program funding within Proposition 98. Ramos was a member of the Superintendent’s Executive Team and responsible for advising on significant agency initiatives.

Ramos earlier served as a Legislative Aide to several State Assemblymembers. In this capacity, Ramos researched developed and staffed legislation in areas of transportation, housing, judiciary, human services, and water, and worked on the state budget items. Ramos received her Bachelor of Arts in Government with a Minor in Communications Studies from California State University, Sacramento. She resides in Sacramento with her husband.

Expertise

Education
Federal State & Local Government
Health Care
Non-Profits
Public Sector Finance & Budgeting
Strategic Communications
Career Highlights
1.
Director of the Government Affairs Division under State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson
2.
Senior Legislative Advisor, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson
3.
Consultant in the California Assembly Speaker’s Office of Member Services
4.
Legislative Aide to Assembly members Jim Bell and Tom Torlakson
5.
Program Coordinator, California Women Lead formerly CEWAER

Contact Monique Ramos