A partnership between the Children's Alliance and the Annie E. Casey Foundation
About this brief: This brief is a follow up to our 2020 product, “What Washington’s kids need to weather the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.” Recent U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse data and stories from community members across the state show how the pandemic continues to affect kids and families in the areas of housing, nutrition, health care,
Bolster investments in children and families to protect Washington’s future While the youngest Washingtonians have so far been largely spared from some of the worst health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, the toll of the pandemic on the well-being of children and their families should not be underestimated. Prolonged school and child care closures, lost jobs and incomes, and the
August 2020 Healthy development for young kids creates a better future for all. Today’s children are the voters, parents, nurses, educators, volunteers, and business owners of tomorrow. Within just a few short years, they will take their places in civic society. Washington’s collective well-being—the health of public structures, the vibrancy of communities, the vitality of the economy—is enhanced by everyone
State of Washington’s Kids 2020 Oral health is vital to overall health. From a child’s first years, routine and preventive dental treatment is a necessary means to maintain a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums. Every parent wants their children to grow up free of the pain, distraction, and expense of untreated dental decay. Yet too many Washington children are adversely
State of Washington’s Kids 2020 Children can thrive when their communities are strong. Just as the well-being of children is tightly linked with the well-being of their parents and families, the health of children’s broader racial, ethnic, cultural, and geographic communities also profoundly shapes their development.1 When communities are equipped with strong foundations (like quality affordable housing, good schools, and
End disparities in school readiness by investing in early childhood We all benefit when more Washington children start kindergarten ready to learn. But children of color face significant barriers to success in school and in life. To help kids overcome these barriers, state lawmakers should invest in early childhood. Download a copy in English or in Spanish (PDF). Get the message
KIDS COUNT in Washington examined how expanding ECEAP to serve 23,000 unserved Washington children could impact readiness for kindergarten. Our analysis concluded that: Kindergarten readiness in Washington overall could increase by 20 percent (to 56 percent from 47 percent); 7,900 more children could be ready for kindergarten on all six indicators for readiness (see sidebar on the left for more
Authors Lori Pfingst, Research & Policy Director, Washington State Budget & Policy Center Elena Hernandez, Policy Analyst, Washington State Budget & Policy Center Jon Gould, Deputy Director, Children’s Alliance Adam Hyla Holdorf, Communications Director, Children’s Alliance Photography Tegra Stone Nuess Design Nathan Runyan About Us KIDS COUNT in Washington is a joint effort of the Children’s Alliance and the Washington
Improving the eleven indicators in this report requires changing our approach. The status quo is not acceptable if we want to achieve the goals that all kids need to thrive: a healthy start in life, basic needs met, and the educational opportunities they need to reach their full potential. Two broad strategies will help improve conditions for Washington state’s kids:
Structural racism—the way that policies, practices, and programs combine and interact to sustain poorer outcomes among communities of color—undermines progress for children. A high quality education system—one that empowers children to excel in school from preschool through higher education—supports students in reaching their full potential, and is essential for the future competitiveness and economic vitality of Washington state. Jump down