IN THE MEDIA
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Feature: Becoming a Parent Advocate | April 1, 2024 | Seattle’s Child
Tali Rausch, a parent advocate, talks about her experience meeting with lawmakers and speaking at a rally at Have a Heart for Kids Day.
News: Progress made, but far more to do for kids | March 18, 2024 | Seattle’s Child
After 60 days, the state legislative session came to a close on March 7. Dr. Stephan Blanford highlights progress made in the areas of youth behavioral health and child care affordability, alongside a threat to education funding.
Podcast: Seattle School Board Turmoil, Statewide Childcare Crisis, and More with Dr. Stephan Blanford | February 23, 2024 | Seattle News, Views, and Brews
Dr. Stephan Blanford breaks down the turmoil facing the Board and Seattle Public Schools after the recent resignation of two of its members, and discusses Washington's childcare crisis, education funding concerns, the capital gains tax.
News: Finding a solution to the childcare crisis in Washington | February 20, 2024 | KIRO News Radio, My Northwest News
There is a lack of affordable, high-quality child care in the state of Washington. KIRO Newsradio took an in-depth look at why, and what can be done about it.
Feature: Join Have a Heart for Kids Day in Olympia or online | February 1, 2024 | Seattle’s Child
A preview of this year’s Have a Heart for Kids Day, which is back in Olympia for the first time in four years.
News: Two bills seek to make school meals free to all students | January 30, 2024 | Seattle’s Child
Seattle’s Child reports on the status of two bills moving through the legislature that would provide free meals to all students attending public schools in Washington.
News: Report: WA children of color continue to experience inequities | January 18, 2024 | Public News Service
Dr. Stephan Blanford discusses the Race for Results report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Despite continuing disparities demonstrated by the report, there have been improvements in the well-being of children of color thanks to legislation like the Fair Start for Kids Act.
News: SCOTUS won’t hear case against WA capital gains tax | January 16, 2024 | Seattle’s Child
Child advocates across Washington applaud the US Supreme Court’s decision not to hear a case attempting to repeal our state’s capital gains tax, which provides crucial funding for early learning and K-12 education.
News: Progress: Washington has 2nd worst tax code in U.S. | January 2024 | The Stand
Thanks to key policy wins that legislators passed in recent years – namely the capital gains tax and the Working Families Tax Credit – our state tax code moved up one place (with Florida now holding last place), according to new data from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
Feature: An agenda for children in 2024 | December 26, 2023 | Seattle’s Child
Dr. Stephan Blanford introduces the Children’s Alliance 2024 legislative agenda. Top priorities include addressing the youth behavioral health crisis, expanding mental health coverage for our youngest children, and funding education through progressive revenue.
Editorial: Focus on youth mental health or face unimaginable costs | December 8, 2023 | Seattle Times
The Seattle Times editorial board highlights Washington’s youth behavioral health crisis, as well as the solutions Children’s Alliance put forth in our recent report on the subject.
Podcast: Creating an equitable environment for all | October 6, 2023 | Stories Untold
Dr. Stephan Blanford joins Abigail Asare to discuss the vision and mission of Children’s Alliance.
Broadcast: Pasco School District helping students both in and out of school | September 10, 2023 | NBC NonStop Local
Pasco School District Executive Director of Student Supports, Alice Amaya discusses youth mental health supports with reference to Children’s Alliance’s behavioral health report.
Podcast: The Childcare Crisis with Dr. Stephan Blanford | August 29, 2023 | Hacks & Wonks
Crystal Fincher and Dr. Stephan Blanford delve into the importance of child care as an economic driver and its societal impacts through preparing kids for success in school and life.
Broadcast: Northwest Now: Back to School 2023 | August 24, 2023 | PBS
Dr. Stephan Blanford and Reid Saaris (author of our recent behavioral health report) discuss the mental health challenges many young people in Washington are facing.
Press Release: State lawmakers honored for their crucial leadership in enhancing the well-being of Washington's children | August 1, 2023
Children’s Alliance has recognized eleven state lawmakers with Champions for Children awards. These awards honor legislators for their service on behalf of children in the 2023 legislative session.
News: New report offers solutions for WA youth mental health crisis | July 11, 2023 | Seattle’s Child
Seattle’s Child highlights Children’s Alliance’s behavioral health report and the potential solutions to Washington’s youth mental health crisis.
News: WA's high cost of child care hits single moms hardest | July 11, 2023 | KUOW
The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2023 KIDS COUNT Data Book finds that the average annual cost of child care is unaffordable for many Washington families, particularly single mothers.
Press Release: Children's Alliance report identifies promising solutions to reduce youth behavioral crisis in Washington | June 29, 2023
Driven by a commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality care, Children’s Alliance partnered with executive advisor Reid Saaris to spearhead a comprehensive assessment of the youth behavioral health landscape in the state, leading to the identification of critical gaps and the development of promising solutions.
Feature: A perfect summer day: A mother’s undivided attention | June 21, 2023 | Seattle’s Child
Dr. Stephan Blanford shares a childhood memory of his perfect summer day.
Broadcast: Washington parents struggling to find affordable childcare | June 14, 2023 | KHQ
With childcare costing over $14,000 on average in Washington, according to the Kids Count Data book, many families are struggling not only to find an affordable option but a care provider in general. Dr. Stephan Blanford discusses how lack of care often forces parents out of the workforce.
News: Access to Care Among WA Children's Biggest Challenges | June 14, 2023 | Public News Service
Washington state fares well in a new report released on child well-being, but is facing important challenges in child care.
Press release: Washington Ranks 16th in Child Well-Being, but Inaccessible, Unaffordable Child Care Pushes Parents to the Breaking Point | June 14, 2023
Washington State ranks 6th in the nation when it comes to the health of its children, according to the 2023 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, a 50-state report of recent household data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how children and families are faring.
News: End of legislative session review: Wins to working families | April 27, 2023 | Seattle’s Child
After 105 days, the state legislative session came to a close on April 25. Dr. Stephan Blanford highlights the progress made that will have a positive impact on kids’ lives for years to come.
News: Washington Supreme Court greenlights capital gains tax on wealthy to pay for early education, child care | April 5, 2023 | Real Change
On March 24, the Washington Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that the capital gains tax passed by the Legislature in 2021 is legal. Dr. Stephan Blanford said that the capital gains tax will be a big boost for early childhood education.
News: Legislature midpoint: What bills can make a difference for kids? | March 5, 2023 | Seattle’s Child
February 24 marked the fiscal cut-off for the 2023 legislative session, meaning that bills that cost the state money had to be passed out of their committees. As a result, it is becoming clearer which bills that benefit Washington’s kids and families have the support of our state lawmakers.
Op-ed: WA Supreme Court can support racial justice with capital gains tax ruling | January 31, 2023 | Seattle Times
Dr. Stephan Blanford explains how to capital gains tax makes our state’s tax code more equitable and provides revenue to invest in early learning and education.
News: Children’s Alliance to lawmakers: Kids first in 2023 | January 4, 2023 | Seattle’s Child
Dr. Stephan Blanford introduces Children’s Alliance’s 2023 legislative agenda. Top priorities include addressing the youth mental and behavioral health crisis, increasing compensation for the early learning workforce, and building for the future through economic security.
Op-ed: Our kids need low-barrier, quick access to health care | August 28, 2022 | Union Bulletin
Norma Hernandez and Dr. Stephan Blanford highlight Washington’s youth mental health crisis and advocate for more funding for school-based health clinics.
News: WA dental therapists bill reintroduced | January 24, 2022 | State of Reform Blog
House Bill 1885, sponsored by Representative Eileen Cody and would allow the practice of dental therapy to expand statewide in Washington. “We see it as a racial equity strategy,” said Dr. Stephan Blanford. “Because many of the areas in Washington State that don’t have good dental care are populated by low-income people of color.”
Op-ed: Washington makes progress toward equitable recovery for kids | July 28, 2021 | Seattle Times
Dr. Stephan Blanford cites data from the 2021 KIDS COUNT Data Book to demonstrate the importance of the Fair Start for Kids Act for Washington's children.
News: Kids in WA Doing Better Than Other States, But Disparities Remain | June 21, 2021 | Public News Service
The annual KIDS COUNT Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation looks at four categories: economic well-being, education, health, and family and community. The report measured data before the pandemic in 2019, and ranks Washington 14th overall. Dr. Stephan Blanford, executive director of the Children's Alliance, said children of color aren't faring as well.
Op-ed: Washington's Children Shouldn't Have to Relive our Past Mistakes | February 10, 2021 | South Seattle Emerald
Dr. Stephan Blanford and Misha Werschkul call on lawmakers to focus on racial equity in Washington's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
News: WA Families Face Instability in Families, Housing | December 17, 2020 | Public News Service
Families in Washington state are struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Annie E. Casey Foundation found 1 in 11 Evergreen State families doesn't have enough to eat and 1 in 8 isn't sure they'll be able to pay the rent or mortgage on time. Dr. Stephan Blanford said the national figures show stark racial disparities, with families of color struggling at much higher rates.
News: State budget cuts loom, starting with dental benefits | November 18, 2020 | Real Change News
Policy experts and advocates worry that medical and dental benefits are at risk in potential state budget cuts.