2018 Legislative Review
In the 2018 legislative session, Children’s Alliance led our many partners across Washington to advocate for good public policy—laws and public investments that create opportunity for Washington’s children.
Policy Papers & Issue Briefs
Dental Coverage for Pacific Islanders in Washington
Adam
Tue, 01/29/2019 - 06:53
PDF version: English or Marshallese
On Jan. 1, 2019, thanks to the state legislature, approximately 1,000 Washington residents from three Pacific Island nations gained access to medical care through the COFA Islander Health Care Program.
Questions to Ask Candidates for the Washington State Legislature
Adam
Fri, 09/28/2018 - 15:50
State lawmakers can take important steps to improve kids’ lives in the 2019 state legislative session. Candidates for the Washington state legislature will make critical choices for our kids if they are elected in November. Their choices can help kids have great childhoods and grow up strong, and advance racial equity and opportunity for all our kids. Here are five questions for candidates for the state legislature about Children’s Alliance 2019 priorities for Washington’s children, youth and families.
Vote for Kids! Statewide ballot measures in the 2018 election
Adam
Fri, 09/28/2018 - 08:19
Children’s Alliance has taken the following positions on statewide ballot measures.
2019 Legislative Agenda
Adam
Tue, 09/18/2018 - 16:37
We believe in the potential of every child. Poverty and racism erode kids’ opportunities. Our 2019 legislative agenda (PDF) reflects smart public policies that remove barriers and create opportunity—so all kids can thrive.
Early Learning to Help Kids Succeed: More infants, toddlers and preschool-age children should have the quality experiences that set them up for success in school.
Ensure Ample Revenue to Protect and Support Kids
We all have a stake in the basic services and supports that help Washington’s kids. We count on programs and services, quality schools, health care and other public goods that make Washington great. Our shared investments contribute to quality early learning, child nutrition, and other services and supports that let kids thrive.
Improve Family and Community Health
Provide premium and cost-sharing assistance to Washingtonians from Compact of Free Association nations to improve health equity for Pacific Islander families.
Statement of Support: Initiative 940
Children’s Alliance proudly supports Initiative 940. It’s good for kids and public safety.
2017 Legislative Review
Every child in our state should have the opportunity to thrive: a quality education supported by parents and community from cradle to career; enough healthy food to eat each day; and access to comprehensive, affordable health care that optimizes their well-being.
Learn, Love, Lead! e-mail series
In our Learn, Love, Lead! email series, we show what we can do together to protect and support Washington's children from new federal threats. Each week, we provide a resource you can learn from and share, or an action you can take to be the leader kids are counting on.
Whether you and your family are targeted by rising hate or a particular policy, or you want to act in solidarity with children and families in your community, we are here to support your actions to protect kids’ well-being and happiness today, and help them grow into their enormous potential.
Opportunities for Racial Equity within the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
I. Short-Term Opportunities: Now through November 2017
Research Brief: Early Learning Improves Kindergarten Readiness for All and Dramatically Reduces Disparities for Kids of Color
We all have a stake in making sure that, from the day they’re born, kids can have the enriching experiences they need to get off to a great start in life. Research has found quality early learning can give children the tools they need to thrive academically and emotionally throughout their young lives and beyond.
Children’s Alliance Priorities in the Department of Children, Youth and Families Legislation (2SHB 1661)
Children’s Alliance is very pleased to see a number of our priorities reflected in 2SHB 1661. This brief outlines the provisions in the legislation addressing Children’s Alliance priorities.
Department of Children, Youth & Families: an Historic Opportunity to Improve Kids’ Lives
Adam
Mon, 01/23/2017 - 17:05
The creation of a consolidated Department of Children, Youth and Families is an historic opportunity to improve outcomes for all children, especially those who face barriers to their healthy development and learning.
We support the proposal for a Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), with the following priorities:
Pass the Dental Access Bill: House Bill 1364 / Senate Bill 5224
Dental therapists can make dental care accessible.
Dental therapists work as part of the dental team to provide routine and preventive care.
Dental therapists can provide care to underserved kids and families in rural, low-income, and tribal communities and communities of color across Washington. They can also bring care to more kids and parents covered by Apple Health, and to those who are uninsured.
Children in Washington need dental therapists.
Expand the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program: Every Child Deserves a Great Start
The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is quality preschool that’s good for kids, parents and schools.
Washington has some of the highest child-care (including preschool) costs in the nation. That means some kids, disproportionately kids in low-income families and children of color, miss out on early experiences in preschool that can help them have a great childhood and thrive in kindergarten. ECEAP expands equitable access to high-quality, culturally responsive preschool.
Dental Therapists: Good for Oral Health, Good for Washington
FACT: Dental therapists will work within a narrowly defined scope of practice to provide important and needed routine and preventive care to Washingtonians who currently can’t get it.
Our Four Priorities for a Department of Children, Youth and Families
Adam
Tue, 01/10/2017 - 09:37
The proposal to consolidate programs and services into a Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in Washington State is a once in a generation opportunity to structure government for positive outcomes for children, youth, and families.
While there are many important aspects of this endeavor, the Children’s Alliance has identified four key areas for the focus of our advocacy. We recognize there are many issues involved and we will also play a supportive role on other issues that are deeply felt by our community.
These are our four priorities:
Oral Health: Out of Reach
More than 385,000 children insured by Apple Health for Kids are not receiving any kind of dental care, including emergency visits. Similarly, nearly 3 in 10 children with private dental coverage in Washington did not receive any dental care on a yearly basis in 2013. In contrast, the proportion of children who visited their primary care provider in 2015 was much higher, with 89-98 percent of children aged 1-19 receiving care.
Position Statements: Election 2016
The following positions on statewide ballot measures for the 2016 general election have been taken by the Children’s Alliance.
Initiative 732: NO
While designed to fight climate change, Initiative 732 threatens children in two ways. First, its tax breaks are insufficient to counter its full costs to low-income families, who are disproportionately families of color. Second, it’s predicted to worsen the state’s budget shortfall—jeopardizing programs and services kids need to thrive.