Access to health insurance coverage significantly contributes to child health and well-being. Medicaid (also known as Apple Health in Washington) is a critical health insurance program that allows low-income families and children to have access to high-quality and affordable medical, dental and behavioral health care.
By Cassidy Christopher, Health Policy Manager and Kaitie Dong, Policy Manager
By Cassidy Christopher, Health Policy Manager
By Kaitie Dong, Policy Manager
Here in Washington, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated longstanding inequities faced by kids and families in communities of color. Access to health care, high-quality early experiences for children ages birth to 5, and progressive revenue are promising strategies to ensure that every child has an abundance of what they need to grow up into the people they dream of becoming.
The close of each fiscal year gives us the chance to reflect on the progress we’ve made and acknowledge the partners who made our successes possible.
“We can really change the course of history in Washington state.” These powerful words from Representative Noel Frame epitomize the message we heard at Path Forward 2022. Along with Representatives April Berg, Tana Senn, and Jamila Taylor, Rep. Frame joined Dr. Stephan Blanford at the Children’s Alliance office to talk about advancing racial equity for kids.
As we prepare for the 2023 legislative session, Children’s Alliance is strengthening our capacity to deliver relevant and up-to-date information on the most important issues facing children and families in our state.
Champions for Children are state lawmakers recognized by Children’s Alliance for their work to further our annual legislative agenda. Each of the following legislators provided significant leadership during the 2022 legislative session in advancing state policies or investments to improve the well-being of children in Washington.
Despite its short length, this legislative session bore significant victories for kids and families. And for the second year in a row, advocates from across the state were able to make their voices heard in Olympia by signing in to support or oppose bills and give testimony remotely.
by Dr. Stephan Blanford
Yesterday’s news that the Douglas County Superior Court struck down the capital gains tax is a setback for all who've worked tirelessly to fix our upside-down tax code and secure much-needed funding for early learning.
The House and Senate released their budgets earlier this week. Overall, we were pleased to see many of our priorities reflected in both budgets, which will result in positive impacts for our state’s children and families.
The 2022 legislative session is progressing fast, we’re already past the halfway point! Here’s an update on some of our top priority bills:
House Bill 1878, to get more free school meals to hungry students, passed out of the House Appropriations committee unanimously!
Though it’s less than a year old, the 2021 Fair Start for Kids Act is already lowering the high cost of quality child care for families across Washington state. Despite this progress, many of our families, businesses, and essential early childhood professionals are still struggling.
We believe in the potential of every child. But all too often, poverty, racism and the pandemic are putting opportunity out of reach.
Our legislative agenda seeks to protect kids, remove barriers and create pathways to success—so that Washington’s children and families stay strong, no matter what challenges we face.
Taking place amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 legislative session was like no other. While conducting the session remotely presented many challenges, it also made participation in the legislative process more accessible than ever before. Advocates from across the state were able to make their voices heard by signing in to support bills or testifying directly from their homes.
We believe in the potential of every child. The challenges of racism, recession and pandemic pose acute threats to our children’s future—but we can meet them, together.
Our legislative agenda seeks to protect kids, remove barriers and create opportunity—so that children and families withstand the worst of these times and emerge ready to thrive.
This July 1, kids and families across the state should begin to feel the effects of the Fair Start for Kids Act—the historic investment in early learning that state lawmakers passed during the 2021 legislative session.
New KIDS COUNT report highlights many kids in Washington struggle to meet basic needs