last updated: August 29, 2006

Policy Matters: Tens of thousands of Washington children will benefit from Children's Alliance advocacy efforts this year. They'll hold onto their health insurance, gain greater access to food assistance programs and have healthier choices in school stores and vending machines.

• Saving Health Coverage for Kids
• Reforming Child Welfare
• Action for Hungry Families
  

Saving Health Coverage for Kids

RESULT: 38,000 additional children receive health care

Two years of hard work to stem the backward slide of Washington's commitment to children's health culminated in the governor's order to state officials to enroll children on an annual eligibility cycle and toss out monthly premium plans. A comprehensive new health program covers non-U.S. citizen children below the federal poverty level. A new law also declares the state's intent for all children to have health coverage within five years.

Reforming Child Welfare

RESULT: $23 million more for services for children and families

In the most significant investment in child welfare in over a decade, legislators allocated new funds for quicker response to abuse and neglect and more frequent visits by social workers to children in foster care.

The issue of disproportionality for children of color and providing adequate funding for non-profit agencies that serve children and families were two areas legislators did not fully address. We will continue to advocate on these issues.

Action for Hungry Families

RESULT: Food for hungry children

We achieved success on two important childhood nutrition fronts: Expanding school breakfast to all high-need schools in the state; and increased funding for the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program to help thousands of low-income families benefit from fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets. This program supports local farming families, too.