Resource Center

Better wages and access to paid sick leave stabilize families and help kids grow up healthy and strong. One in five children in our state live in poverty and face long-term barriers to success in school and in life. Family-friendly workplace policies move us closer to ending childhood hunger and poverty. When crafted well, such policies are also a step toward racial equity, as people of color disproportionately hold low-wage jobs without paid leave benefits.

Answers to five commonly asked questions about dental therapists—with a summary of findings on the work of dental therapists in Minnesota. Read the full paper.

End Childhood Hunger

Here in Washington, one in five children lives in a household that doesn’t have enough to eat. Childhood food insecurity disproportionately impacts children of color, and it undermines a child’s educational progress. Fight childhood hunger, including strategies to increase family economic security such as restoring Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Invest in Early Learning

Children’s Alliance Champions for Children are state lawmakers recognized for their outstanding service to children in a specific policy area in a particular legislative session.

The bipartisan, historic Early Start Act (H.B. 1491) enacts unprecedented policies and resources to help ensure all children a great start.

RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

Provides parents with information about the quality of early learning so that they can make informed choices for their children.

Supports continuity of care so that children receive the consistent care essential for
bonding and attachment and parents can count on stable care.

In 2015, Washington’s legislature passed and Governor Inslee signed the Early Start Act (HB 1491). The bipartisan, historic Early Start Act enacts unprecedented policies and resources to help ensure all children get the great start they need. The Early Start Act includes numerous provisions designed at increasing access to quality care for all children, particularly children in low-income families and children of color.

For Washington to thrive, all of our children must thrive. That's why Children's Alliance partners with parents and other community leaders to push for public investments in key areas of child well-being.

This year, by opening the doors of power in Olympia to parents and advocates from across the state, we achieved two historic victories.

Read more. 

All children deserve a great start in life. But our state’s tax system puts too many of them in harm’s way.

Revenues as a proportion of the economy have shrunk over the past 15 years, resulting in cuts to basic services. Children in communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by these cuts.

Ending these cuts boosts our economy. Ending the 25 percent cut to State Food Assistance would generate more than $17 million in economic activity through June 2017.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) promotes the economic security of children. This session, state lawmakers should restore the 15 percent cut to TANF. Read more.

High quality early learning is a targeted investment that reaps huge returns: proven outcomes in school and in life. Every child deserves the opportunity for a great start. Pass the Early Start Act with culturally relevant care provisions and funding needed to close the opportunity gap.

The bipartisan Early Start Act (HB 1491/SB 5452)

Sponsored by Rep. Ruth Kagi (D-Seattle) and Sen. Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island), the Early Start Act aims to expand access to high quality early learning, particularly for children furthest from opportunity.