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STAFFING CUTS AT DHHS THREATEN EARLY LEARNING ACCESS FOR 20,000 KIDS IN WA
Children’s Alliance urges the United States Department of Health and Human Services to immediately restore regional support for Head Start programs to Region 10, which serves four states including Washington.
UPDATE ON SB 5708 - PROTECT WA KIDS ONLINE
Our bill aimed at protecting kids online (SB 5708) has missed cutoff, meaning it did not receive a committee hearing in time to move forward this session.
WE OPPOSE DISMANTLING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
The executive order directing Secretary McMahon to dismantle the United States Department of Education will result in significant harm to children across the country, including in Washington state.
WASHINGTON’S BUDGET DEFICIT THROUGH A RACE EQUITY LENS
Our state faces an estimated $15 billion deficit over the next four years, and in response, our governor and legislators are proposing cuts to essential public programs to close the gap. But without a race equity lens, budget decisions risk deepening existing disparities.
NEW LEGISLATION DROPPED! HB 2038 FUNDS AND EXPANDS ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE FOR YOUTH
New legislation was introduced this week to help address the youth behavioral health crisis. HB 2038 would establish the Youth Behavioral Health Account and fund it with a 0.4% tax on the gross income of social media platforms.
WA CAN’T AFFORD TO CUT EARLY LEARNING FUNDING
Washington is facing a severe budget crisis this session, and funding for early learning programs is at risk. We are particularly concerned about proposed cuts that will impact kids who are furthest from opportunity.
2025 MID-SESSION UPDATE
We are 43 days into the 2025 legislative session, with 62 days left. A lot has happened so far, including some major successes that we are thrilled to share with all of you.
ADVOCATES RALLY TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES
Check out our photo gallery and recap of Have a Heart for Kids Day 2025.
DIGITAL MEDIA COMPANIES MUST PRIORITIZE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH OVER PROFIT
Children’s Alliance collaborated with the State Attorney General’s Office and Representative Lisa Callan to introduce legislation which will hold digital media companies accountable for creating a safer online environment for kids.
WE WILL STAY STRONG IN OUR VALUES AND STAND UP FOR KIDS
The recent actions of the new Administration have already begun to have a negative impact on Washington’s kids. This is unacceptable and we must resist.
WHAT WE LEARNED FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WALLA WALLA, AND GRANDVIEW
Our policy team visited partners across Washington state to learn more about the issues impacting their communities.
2025 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
At Children’s Alliance, we see a future in which all of Washington's children have an abundance of what they need to grow up to be the people they dream of becoming. Our 2025 legislative agenda highlights policy priorities in our three primary issue areas: early learning, health equity, and economic justice.
PATH FORWARD 2024 RECAP: ADDRESSING YOUTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PROGRESSIVE REVENUE IN WA
Dr. Stephan Blanford, Senator Noel Frame, Representative Lisa Callan, and Reid Saaris discuss policy solutions to address the youth behavioral health crisis.
MEETING STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS IN SCHOOLS
Exploring the expansion, improvement, and promotion of school-based behavioral health solutions to address the youth behavioral health crisis.
I-2109 IS DEFEATED! BUT WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO.
Washington voters spoke up for kids in the 2024 election and roundly defeated I-2109, the ballot initiative that would have repealed our state’s capital gains tax and cut billions from early learning, child care, K-12 education and school construction.
NEW REPORT: BUILDING THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM OUR TEENS NEED AND DESERVE NOW
Our new report offers an updated look at opportunities for breakthrough progress in Washington's adolescent mental health crisis.
MY ALABAMA EXPERIENCE
Stephan reflects on his time in Montgomery attending The Alabama Experience - the annual conference of the Alliance for Early Success.
2024 ANNUAL REPORT: BUILDING CONNECTIONS AND COMMUNITY
Our 2023-2024 Progress Report highlights key victories and crucial partnerships over the past year.
WHICH ISSUE IS RISING AS A TOP CONCERN FOR OUR MEMBERS?
Last month, we conducted our annual member survey and received 182 responses from engaged members of our community.