Early Learning Now

The budget cuts’ impact on kids

Adam — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:54:22 -0400

It’s the worst we’ve seen.

That’s our assessment of new cuts to state services. The across-the-board budget reductions are more severe than anything we’ve experienced recently. They’re also being made in an extremely challenging context.

The budget that was finalized this spring, during the last legislative session, did not anticipate the persistently slow economy. And, rather than our elected representatives deliberating in public over cuts, these decisions are being made by the Governor in consultation with agency secretaries and assistant secretaries. They are decisions as momentous as any made during the last legislative session, only without legislators convening to hear and represent their constituents’ concerns.

WA could win up to $1.3 million for home visiting

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:41:06 -0400

The federal government has finally released the guidelines states need to apply for their slice of $1.5 billion in new grant funding for home visiting programs, which connect new and expectant parents with trained nursing and early learning professionals.

The new guidelines issued late last week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will allow Washington to apply for up to $1.3 million this year.

The first wave of these grants, part of federal health care reform that became law in March, will go to states this summer.

Over the next few weeks and months, we and our allies on the Washington Home Visiting Coalition will be working with state agencies and stakeholders on a plan for how Washington will use these home visiting funds.

Legislative Agenda 2010

siobhan — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:16:57 -0500

In 2010 our legislative agenda outlines strategies to protect kids and families through the economic recession.

Read the 2010 Legislative Agenda.

We're in the News: Learning for Life (King 5 TV)

siobhan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:31:44 -0500

The Children's Alliance Advocacy Camp is a feature of King 5 TV's Learning for Life series. Watch this great video of camp and an interview with Jon Gould, Deputy Director.

We're in the News: DSHS warns clients of budget cuts

Carolynm — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:06:31 -0500

Programs for elderly, children likely to be eliminated The Olympian January 12, 2009 By Adam Wilson The state Department of Social and Health Services has been working to inform those its serves about $370 million in cuts to its budget by June. The agency sent out notice to families who signed up for state health insurance and make between 250 percent and 300 percent of the poverty level, telling them that the program was canceled because of cuts in this year's budget.

Read the full story>>

Action: Join the Virtual Rally

siobhan — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:06:27 -0500

Proposed cuts in the state budget slash entire programs that kids’ need to be safe, healthy and succeed. Take action! The I'm Counting On You! Virtual Rally is happening now.

Check it out and join now!

You can print and share this flyer - also available in spanish.

There are three ways you can join the rally:

Option 1: Add your picture

Take a photo of yourself – or take a photo of your kid(s) (with or without you in it) holding a sign that says “I’m counting on you”. You can make your own sign or download and print this one.

E-mail your picture to us. In your e-mail include the following: Your name and the city or town you live in, if you want that information included. By sending in your picture you are agreeing that we can post it on our website as part of the “I’m Counting On You” virtual rally.

2009 Legislative Agenda

mjennings — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:28:17 -0500

The Children's Alliance 2009 Legislative Agenda lays out our top priorities in this tough legislative session.

Washington 1 of 4 states to shine on children’s health and early learning

Christina — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:54:33 -0500

A new year for Washington begins with a new milestone for kids. The last two weeks of 2011 brought our state tens of millions of federal dollars, positioning Washington as a national leader in both children’s health and early learning.

In fact, our state was just one of four in the country to win national competitions for health and early learning, along with Ohio, Maryland and North Carolina.

Decades of work on early learning pay off

Adam — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:51:28 -0500

When the White House on Friday announced the nine winners of the Early Learning Challenge Fund, Washington State passed a significant landmark. Ours was one of nine states awarded funds to improve their early learning systems. The state will get $60 million over four years.

Proclamation by the Children of Washington State

Christina — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:27:35 -0500

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.