Questions to ask candidates for state and congressional office
Ask these five questions for candidates running for state offices (state legislators and governor). Please scroll to see reverse side for questions for candidates running for Congress.
Early Learning
Frequently asked questions about the High Quality Early Learning Act of 2012
Two bills will establish a voluntary early learning program for 3- and 4-year-olds in Washington, with a concurrent focus on services in the first three years of life.
Learn more about substitute House Bill 2448 and substitute Senate Bill 6449.
Quality early learning from birth to age 5
House Bill 2448 would establish a voluntary early learning program for three- and four-year-olds in Washington, with additional support for children from birth to age three. Read a two-page fact sheet about the bill by the Early Learning Action Alliance.
Legislative Agenda: 2012 session
Our 2012 legislative agenda calls on lawmakers to:
- Protect Apple Health for Kids and State Food Assistance;
- Reject further budget cuts that hurt low-income families and children of color;
- Improve health with a licensed dental practitioner;
- Close the opportunity gap with early learning;
- Raise revenue to protect our future.
Download and print our 2012 legislative agenda.
Proclamation by the Children of Washington State
Christina
Mon, 12/12/2011 - 16:27
On Dec. 2, 2011, Children's Alliance gathered hundreds across the state on Capitol steps to issue a statement to lawmakers signed by Washington's kids.
Read our Proclamation by the Children of Washington State: For Us, By Us, For Our Future.
The State of Washington's Children
Adam
Thu, 12/01/2011 - 22:13
The State of Washington’s Children 2012 is a broad review of how Washington’s 1.5 million kids are faring in tough times. The report is issued by KIDS COUNT in Washington, a new partnership between Children’s Alliance and the Washington State Budget & Policy Center.
En espanol: Agenda Legislativa
Nuestro Agenda Legislativa para la sesion especial en Olympia este diciembre incluye lo siguiendo:
Protecting Kids in Tough Times: Our Work in the 2011 Legislative Session
Adam
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 11:28
The 2011 legislative session had far-reaching consequences for the public systems and services we all rely on. Lawmakers made decisions that dimmed the prospect of a brighter future for our children. Yet thanks to smart and persistent advocacy by the Children’s Alliance and our partners, some vital services for kids were protected.
Together with families and allies across the state, we preserved health care, child care and anti-hunger programs that continue to make a difference in the well being of Washington’s children.
To learn more about our work this session, watch this short slideshow on what we accomplished:
Recent Working Connections cuts result in waiting list, co-pays
After eligibility for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) was reduced from 200 percent of the poverty level down to 175 percent of the poverty level, co-pays and a waiting list have been imposed to make child care even more difficult for Washington's families. Learn more about it here.
Early learning recommendations: 2011-2013 conference budget
For a comprehensive look at all early learning programs affected in the 2011-2013 biennium, check out Children's Alliance's conference budget recommendations.
Press Release: Thousands lose income assistance today
Today the Department of Social and Health Services stops the payment of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to more than 5,000 families raising approximately 10,000 children across the state.
“Today is a sad day for the state of Washington,” says Children’s Alliance Deputy Director Jon Gould. “The recession has already pushed 40,000 of Washington’s children into poverty. Now, one of the public structures that helps families survive hard times is being dismantled when it is needed most.”
Agenda Legislativa de 2011
Mantengamonos fuertes para los niños! Nuestra agenda legislativa de 2011 describe las prioridades legislativas de la Alianze para los Ninos en la sesion legislative de 2011. Incluya protegiendo programas que apoyan todas las families, y especialmente las familias inmigrantes.
We're in the News: Seattle Times Op-Ed
Children's Alliance Executive Director Paola Maranan authored an Op-Ed published in the Seattle Times on Sunday, November 7th, 2010. She makes the case that Congress should protect funding for Working Connections Child Care by passing the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund. The article makes it clear that failing to protect the Working Connections child care and employment program can only hurt kids, families, and the Washington state's economic recovery.
Home Visiting Public-Private Matching Fund
In the 2010 legislative session, the legislature approved a new public-private matching fund for home visiting, called the Home Visiting Services Account. The Account was established in the budget which can be found here. The legislature started off the fund with $500,000 (which included $200,000 in new state funds), which will then be matched by Thrive by Five Washington, the state’s public-private partnership for early learning.
Kids are Always Essential Stories
In July 2010 Washington state Governor Gregoire posed eight questions - including "What services are essential?" Children's Alliance members responded with these stories about why kids are always essential.
Click to zoom in on the storybook. You can browse a story – and you can still add your own.
Strengthening Childcare Subsidy System Talking Points
These talking points reflect the goals of the Early Learning Action Alliance to strengthen Washington's childcare subsidy system.
2010 Early Learning Action Alliance Federal Legislative Agenda
The Early Learning Action Alliance recognizes that federal laws and policies have a direct impact on the opportunities young learners have in Washington State.
Early Learning Action Alliance Letter to Senator Murray on Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is major federal legislation that provides both funding and policy direction for public education. Reauthorization of the act presents an opportunity to advance early learning. The Early Learning Action Alliance sent a letter to U.S. Senator Murray outlining policy priorities.
Home Visiting, Health Care Reform, and what's next
Find out more about what federal health care reform means for home visiting. Lisa Guernsey from the New America Foundation posted this podcast on their blog, Early Ed Watch.
Find the post and listen to the podcast here:
http://earlyed.newamerica.net/blogmain
Early Learning Action Alliance Provides Analysis of 2010 Legislative Session: Budget, Pre-K Timeline and Session Review
These three documents from the Early Learning Action Alliance (ELAA) provide detailed review of key accomplishments in the 2010 WA state legislative session.
Early Learning Action Alliance 2010 Session Review
Provides a review of each ELAA priority and advocacy results. Includes information about HB2731, SB 6759, HB 2867, and HB 3141.