Children's Alliance News Feed

What we do for kids now

Adam — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 19:49:58 +0000

This year’s election will bring immense change to our nation and our state. Because we know you love kids as much as we do, we want to take a moment now to share our initial thinking about the impacts of the election on children and on our work as child advocates.

For more than 30 years, Children’s Alliance has stood side by side with advocates like you to respond to threats like poverty and racism as we’ve built equity and opportunity for all of Washington’s kids. Together, we’ve made a lot of progress. And, we’ve learned how racism alters the path our children walk toward their future. We are concerned now more than ever.

Paid Sick Days Help Kids Reach their Full Potential

Adam — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 04:22:37 +0000

No parent should have to choose between caring for a sick child and earning a day’s pay. That’s one of the reasons behind our support for Initiative 1433, the measure to raise the minimum wage statewide and provide paid sick days to all Washington workers.

We know that improving economic security for 1 in 5 Washington parents will fight childhood hunger. And as Children’s Alliance staff and members noted at a Seattle preschool recently, I-1433 also means healthier kids.

The initiative, which affords workers one hour of paid sick time for every 40 hours worked, is forecast to make the greatest difference in the lives of children living in
low-income households. Nationally, children in families living below a basic-needs threshold (around $32,000 for a family of two) are half as likely as other kids to have parents who can take time off when they or their children
are sick.

NEWS: Educators, parents and children’s health experts underscore the importance of paid sick leave as kids head back to school

Adam — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 05:31:21 +0000

SEATTLE – As Washington kids head back to school, educators, parents and children’s health experts gathered on Thursday to announce their support for the Yes on 1433 campaign, which would allow more than 1 million Washington workers to earn paid sick leave. According the the group, when parents don’t have access to paid sick leave it impacts the health and educational outcomes of children.

Initiative 1433, which will appear on the November ballot, would also raise the minimum wage to $13.50 over four years and has received key endorsements from the Children’s Alliance, the Washington Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers - Washington and Equity in Education Coalition.

"Initiative 1433 is good for Washington’s kids. Good jobs allow parents to look after a child when he or she is too sick for school. No parent should have to choose between a day’s pay and the needs of a sick child,” said Paola Maranan, executive director for the Children’s Alliance.

Media Release: State Senator Pramila Jayapal honored for expanding high-quality early learning

Adam — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 16:19:47 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Adam Hyla E. Holdorf, Communications Director, Children’s Alliance, 206-326-9964

SEATTLE—State Senator Pramila Jayapal (D-37th) was honored for her commitment to the first five years of a child’s life today with a Crayon Award from the Early Learning Action Alliance.

The award was presented to Sen. Jayapal at a Rainier Valley preschool by representatives of the Early Learning Action Alliance and other advocates for quality early learning. The event was attended by families from throughout greater Seattle.

“Every child should have the right to access quality care,” said Zam Zam Mohamed, co-founder of Voices of Tomorrow, which aids child care providers in the East African immigrant community to meet state-level quality criteria. “Senator Jayapal has always been a strong advocate in early learning because she understands that school readiness is for every child.”

Voices for Children: Highlights from our June 9 celebration

Adam — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 17:07:15 +0000

Speakers at our June 9 luncheon talk about the work we've done—and what Washington's kids need now.