In this edition you can find several news updates on the connections between our statewide policies in early learning and kids' health and what happens (or doesn't happen) in the other Washington.  And you'll find several updates on statewide ballot initiatives on tax policy. Children's Alliance Deputy Director Jon Gould brings the perspective of kids' advocates to an article reporting that the American Beverage Association-backed attack on the candy and soda tax will likely make it to the ballot.

In this edition, you’ll read about a new report showing that despite rising childhood hunger in the summer, there are fewer summer meal sites available for children in Washington State. Linda Stone, Senior Food Policy Coordinator at Children’s Alliance, explains how fewer resources to offer summer schools and recreation programs are also cutting down access to summer meals. You’ll also find an article celebrating the reunification of families involved in the foster care system that features the work of two recent Children's Alliance Voices for Children Awardees.

Parents, child care providers, community members, and legislators gathered last week during a series of hearings across the state with the Department of Early Learning (DEL). DEL was seeking input on a set of new rules proposed for Washington’s child care subsidy program, Working Connections (WCCC).

The proposed rules would extend the amount of time a family has before they have to re-apply for child care subsidies from up to 6 months to  12- months.  The new rule will apply to families who participate in Working Connections Child Care who have a child in Head Start, Early Head Start, or ECEAP. Currently, families are required to re-apply for their child care benefits at least every 6 months. Many families had to re-apply as often as every three months..  As we heard in Bellingham, Tacoma, Seattle, and Yakima last week, this reauthorization process is time consuming and difficult to go through– and leads to instability for kids in subsidized child care.

The change was spurred by the passage of HB 3141, successful legislation that Children’s Alliance and the Early Learning Action Alliance fought for last session. The bill extends the authorization period for a small number of the families in the program as a way to “pilot”, or test, how this change could lead to greater stability for kids, families, and child care providers. After the first year the program will be evaluated, and the longer authorization period could be extended to more families.

In this edition, you’ll find articles on Gov. Gregoire’s ideas to combat revenue shortfalls driven by the lingering recession with government reforms and budget overhauls. The state is facing another budget cycle with a projected $3 billion deficit. You’ll also find stories on options state lawmakers are considering if federal Medicaid funds are not approved and an executive order signed by Gregoire to improve access to healthier foods for Washington residents. 

 

Gov. Gregoire seeks reforms, budget overhauls I Associated Press I 06-24-2010

Gov. Gregoire says it's time to rethink the way government operates, because it could be a long time before tax streams rebound to pre-recession levels. The state is looking at another budget cycle of major deficits, as tax collections continue to drag following the Great Recession. Gregoire and Democratic legislative leaders cut about $12 billion from the current two-year budget to balance the books. But the next two-year budget is already facing a projected shortfall of about $3 billion.
Read More:
Gregoire talks tough on a new budgeting approach I Crosscut I 06-23-2010

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