ANNOUNCING OUR 2025 CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN

We are excited to announce the 2025 recipients of our Champions for Children award! These lawmakers are being recognized for their outstanding service on behalf of children and families situated furthest from opportunity. Each year, Children’s Alliance identifies legislators who demonstrated leadership and commitment in advancing policies that will promote racial equity, health equity, economic justice, and improved early learning and child care. We are grateful to have many allies in the State Legislature who are aligned with our organizational values, and we thank these lawmakers in particular for their leadership during the most recent legislative session.

Representatives

Representative April Berg was selected as a 2025 Champion for Children for her strong leadership as Chair of the House Finance Committee and her commitment to advancing progressive revenue proposals—most notably, the financial intangibles tax. She also demonstrated bold leadership by holding a public hearing on HB 2038, which proposed creating a Youth Behavioral Health Account funded by a B&O tax surcharge on social media companies. Her decision to hear the bill gave community members, advocates, and stakeholders across Washington the opportunity to voice support and highlight the need to hold social media platforms accountable for their role in youth behavioral health. While these bills did not pass this session, Rep. Berg’s actions laid critical groundwork for future progress and reflected her deep commitment to the well-being of children and families. 

Representative Adam Bernbaum was selected as a Champion for Children for his leadership during the 2025 session, championing bills benefiting Washington’s youngest children—especially House Bill 1351. In his first year as a legislator, Rep. Bernbaum established himself as an early learning leader by sponsoring legislation allowing children to enroll in Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) as soon as they turn three, instead of waiting for the next school year. This change helps more children access ECEAP’s comprehensive services earlier and reduces unfilled slots. Amid cuts to Early ECEAP funding for the next biennium, this policy is a crucial step to maximize ECEAP’s impact in communities. Rep. Bernbaum’s work reflects a strong commitment to children and families furthest from opportunity, and we look forward to his continued leadership. 

Representative Lisa Callan was selected as a 2025 Champion for Children for her leadership in advancing youth behavioral health this session. As the primary sponsor of HB 1834—a bill co-developed by Children’s Alliance and the Washington State Attorney General’s Office to regulate addictive social media and protect youth behavioral health—she successfully countered misinformation from high-profile opponents to elevate this urgent issue. She also championed HB 2038, which would establish a Youth Behavioral Health Account funded by a B&O tax surcharge on social media companies. Her efforts to secure a hearing for this bill gave stakeholders statewide a chance to voice support and demand accountability. Though these bills did not pass, Rep. Callan’s bold advocacy reflects her deep commitment to children’s well-being and paves the way for future progress. 

Representative Natasha Hill was selected as a 2025 Champion for Children for her bold leadership in advancing health equity, economic justice, and family well-being in Washington. She led on HB 1946, securing meaningful Indigenous representation on local boards of health—an important step toward health equity. She also advocated strongly for HB 1217 to strengthen housing stability by limiting excessive rent increases and expanding protections for renters. While the final bill included compromises, her advocacy for a 7% rent cap and to include protections for renters of single-family homes was unwavering. Rep. Hill also consistently supported progressive revenue, calling on the wealthiest in our state to pay their fair share. Her work reflects a deep commitment to Washington’s children and families, particularly those most impacted by systemic inequities. 

Representative Monica Stonier was selected as a Champion for Children for her outstanding leadership advancing HB 1296—critical legislation affirming every Washington student’s right to learn free from discrimination, harassment, and bias. By centering civil rights and diverse identities, the bill advances racial equity and antiracism in public education. HB 1296 also addresses urgent mental and emotional health needs, especially for students of color and LGBTQ+ youth, emphasizing that school safety includes emotional safety and belonging. Rep. Stonier’s skilled guidance of this legislation through intense scrutiny and a marathon floor debate reflects her deep understanding of institutional racism in schools and commitment to interrupting it. Her leadership demonstrates unwavering dedication to the well-being of Washington’s children and families, particularly those furthest from opportunity. 

Representative Jamila Taylor was selected as a Champion for Children for her leadership advancing HB 1696, landmark legislation expanding affordable homeownership for historically under-resourced families in Washington. By increasing income eligibility and offering loan forgiveness, the bill helps build generational wealth and addresses racial disparities in housing. HB 1696 meets a critical need by enabling more families, especially Black and Brown households affected by systemic discrimination, to achieve stable homeownership. At a time when the racial wealth gap continues to widen, her legislation strengthens economic equity and community stability statewide. Rep. Taylor’s skilled guidance of HB 1696 through the Legislature reflects her deep commitment to dismantling barriers from historic housing injustices and to the well-being of Washington’s children and families, particularly those furthest from opportunity. 

Senators

Senator Emily Alvarado was selected as a Champion for Children for her leadership during the 2025 session championing critical child care legislation. As the sponsor of Senate Bill 5500, she pushed for greater accountability and transparency in child care funding by proposing a shift from private-pay tuition to the Cost of Quality Care as the basis for subsidy reimbursement rates. Though the bill did not pass, her efforts secured budget provisions requiring the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to conduct a biennial cost of care survey. Additionally, Senator Alvarado successfully advanced legislation expanding zoning access for child care centers, a vital step to increase availability and reliable care for families statewide. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to improving child care quality and access across Washington. 

Senator Noel Frame was selected as a 2025 Champion for Children for her fearless leadership in health equity and economic justice. As the primary sponsor of SB 5708 —a bill co-developed by Children’s Alliance and the Washington State Attorney General’s Office to regulate addictive social media and protect youth mental health—she successfully countered misinformation from high-profile opponents to move the bill through the Senate. Amid a historic budget crisis, Sen. Frame also led efforts on progressive revenue, advocating for bold, equitable solutions and helping prevent deeper cuts to essential programs. Her leadership as primary sponsor of the financial intangibles tax was key to its historic passage in the Senate. Her work reflects a deep commitment to Washington’s children and families, particularly those most impacted by systemic inequities. 

Senator  Yasmin Trudeau was selected as a Champion for Children for her leadership during the 2025 session to advance policies in early learning and child care, health equity, and economic justice. As Vice Chair for the Capital Budget on the Senate Ways & Means Committee, her leadership was pivotal in securing early learning investments amid a particularly challenging budget year. Children’s Alliance commends her sponsorship of SB 5297 and support for the Early Learning Facilities Fund. We also recognize Sen. Trudeau for co-sponsoring SB 5797, promoting progressive revenue, and SB 5708, a bill co-developed by Children’s Alliance and the Washington State Attorney General’s Office to regulate addictive social media and protect youth mental health. Across these efforts, Senator Trudeau consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the well-being of Washington’s children and families.