“I work at WIC in Whatcom County; almost all the kids we see have Apple Health. We help parents keep up to date with getting well-child checks, immunizations and dental care for the kids. Parents and kids need access to medical and dental care to address issues before they become problems.
Champions for Children are state lawmakers recognized by the Children’s Alliance for their outstanding service on behalf of children.
To be honored as a Champion for Children, a state lawmaker must provide significant leadership in protecting or advancing state policies or investments that improve the well-being of children in Washington.
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.
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 Champions for Children are state lawmakers recognized for their outstanding service to children in a specific policy area in a particular legislative session.
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.
According to the most recent report on food insecurity and hunger in America released September 4th by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the rate of hunger in 2012 remained 5.7 percent nationally. Washington’s rate continues to exceed the national rate. Learn more.
Our 2013 Legislative Report describes the Children's Alliance's work for kids in partnership with coalitions and individuals from all across Washington state.
Together, our teamwork over the 2013 session won:
On June 4th, Washingtonians asked their legislators to Stand Strong for Kids when they make choices in state budget negotiations. See photos of them standing up for Washington values in these five PDF documents:
Children’s Alliance Legislative Champions are state lawmakers recognized by the Children’s Alliance for their outstanding service for children in a specific policy area in a particular legislative session.
Click here to learn about the accomplishments of Champions for Children from 2006 to 2012.
Since the beginning of the recession, the number of Washington state families struggling with hunger has increased sharply. Between 2008 and 2011, 75,000 new households joined the ranks of the hungry, and the rate of hunger in the state is the highest it has ever been. Read our new report.
Hard times have hurt Washington’s children. Four out of 10 kids live in families that can’t afford the basics. Hunger has nearly doubled since the onset of the recession. Tens of thousands of additional children have been pushed into poverty. These hardships
disproportionately affect children of color.
When legislators gathered in Olympia from late November of 2011 to April 2012, we were there, too.
Four out of 10 children in our state use Apple Health for Kids to see a doctor, dentist or other medical professional. Click here to see how many children are enrolled in Apple Health for Kids in each of Washington’s 39 counties.
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.
Since the beginning of the recession, the number of Washington state families struggling with hunger has almost doubled, bucking the national downward trend and demonstrating the persistence of the economic downturn. Read our new report.
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:
More than 50 organizations from around the state joined the Children’s Alliance in opposing potential cuts to health coverage for kids. Read the letter here.
For a comprehensive look at all early learning programs affected in the 2011-2013 biennium, check out Children's Alliance's conference budget recommendations.