Tag: Children’s Action Alliance
Children’s Action Alliance — Governor Hobbs Signs Bill Eliminating Administrative Fees in Juvenile Court
Persistence pays off! On May 26th, after 3 years of advocacy, Governor Hobbs eliminated the burdensome administrative fees routinely levied on children involved in the juvenile court system when she signed SB 1197 into law. No longer will youth and their families be charged administrative fees for things like diversion programs, probation supervision, access to public defenders, and even to set up payment plans. No longer will children be saddled with debt stemming from these fees well into their adulthood with devasting consequences to their credit. No longer will they be unable to get the student loans, car loans, and rental leases they need to make a fresh start. Instead, these young people will have a fair shot to learn from their mistakes and move forward without being dragged down by the weight of unnecessary court fees.
Children’s Action Alliance — Fostering Youth Transitions Report Released During National Foster Care Month
Permanent families and supportive adult connections, stable housing and postsecondary education remain beyond reach for too many young people with foster care experience, according to Fostering Youth Transitions 2023: State and National Data to Drive Foster Care Advocacy, a data brief released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation earlier in May which is National Foster Care Month. The data brief examines the experiences of young people ages 14 to 21 who were in foster care between 2006 and 2021. Drawing on 15 years of data, the report details how young people are faring and aims to equip policymakers, child welfare leaders and practitioners, and communities with data to support decision-making that improves outcomes for young people in and transitioning from foster care.
Children’s Action Alliance — State budget has small key wins for AZ children & families, BUT more needs to be done
Children’s Action Alliance’s annual legislative agenda is designed to assure the necessary community conditions exist so all Arizona families have equitable access to high-quality education, health care, child well-being, services, and economic opportunities. Our agenda is advanced in many ways including through funding in the 2023-2024 state budget. Last week, Governor Hobbs passed and signed the budget, and there were some small but key wins for Arizona children and families including:
Children’s Action Alliance — Arizona’s Voters Deserve a Say in the State’s Budget
The voices of voters are once again being silenced. After several moves that are frankly undemocratic, lacking in transparency and clearly an attempt to rush through billions of dollars of taxpayer money with almost zero input from the public, the final floor vote is set for tomorrow morning.
At 5pm (May 8), the state legislature introduced its slate of budget bills publicly. The budget details, negotiated between the Governor’s Office and Republican Leadership, were released and committee hearings were held less than 24 hours later. The public had little to no chance to review the content, synthesize the material or share their feedback on an approximately $17 BILLION budget. This budget is made up of tax dollars paid for by you, the citizens of Arizona. This is a continuation of the pattern of silencing the voices of voters in recent years.
Children’s Action Alliance applauds Governor Hobbs’ action to increase access to high-quality child care in Arizona
Children’s Action Alliance applauds Governor Hobbs’ move to take key actions to increase access to high-quality child care in Arizona.
Child care is an essential service. Hard-working families need a safe, reliable, and affordable place for their children to go while they are working. But times are hard for many Arizonans. The costs for housing and other necessities continue to rise. One 2022 survey showed that the average family in Arizona is spending 20% of its income on child care costs alone.
May 4 — Children’s Action Alliance-Arizona Center for Economic Progress hosting a Kids Virtual Town Hall on State Budget and Taxes
You’re invited! Children’s Action Alliance will be hosting a Kids Virtual Town Hall on State Budget and Taxes on Thursday, May 4th from 5pm-7pm.
Join us over Zoom and watch students and children of all ages across Arizona ask our state legislators questions regarding Arizona’s state budget and state-funded programs. Senators Epstein and Marsh, and Representatives Cook, Cano, Gutierrez, and Schwiebert will answer kids’ questions covering topics such as housing, foster care, health care, mental health services, food assistance, and K-12 education.
Viewers are encouraged to stick around after the Kids Virtual Town Hall for a fun Participatory Budget activity hosted by the Center for the Future of Arizona.
Children’s Action Alliance — Arizona poised to end seizure of benefits owed to foster children
Arizona is one of a growing number of states considering proposals to prohibit child welfare agencies from seizing foster children’s federal benefits. Nationwide and in Arizona, roughly 5% of all children and youth in foster care qualify for Social Security Administration disability and survivor benefits. They qualify for these benefits because they are disabled or have lost their parents. But most foster children never see these benefits, or even know that are receiving them. That is because the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) intercepts the funds and applies them to the costs of the child’s own foster care.
Children’s Action Alliance — Huge Win for AZ Child Care System-DES Provider Rate Adjustments!
On Friday, March 24th, the Department of Economic Security (DES) shared a message with early childhood educators throughout Arizona announcing new, exciting updates for the early childhood system statewide.
These improvements are important to continue to strengthen Arizona’s early childhood system. The updates include DES provider rate adjustments, an education workforce scholarship program, and targeted childcare provider grants. These improvements will facilitate greater access to high-quality childcare, supports for the early childhood workforce including providers, and incentives for new providers to contract with DES or become a DES Certified Family Child Care provider.
Children’s Action Alliance opinion— Short-Term School Suspensions Cause Lasting Harm to Students
House Bill 2460 would allow public schools to suspend students in kindergarten through 4th grade for any reason for up to two days, undermining legislation passed two years ago to protect young students from discipline policies.
Even short-term school suspensions have a lasting negative impact on children. Compared to similar students who were not removed from classrooms, suspended students are more likely to suffer academically, repeat a grade, and drop out of school.
Children’s Action Alliance — The Bills That Got Away
Every year, Arizona Legislators introduce hundreds of bills. Very few of those bills work their way through the entire process and end up on the Governor’s Desk for signature. Many never make it out of committee let alone to be voted on by the full legislature. And each year, a lot of bills never get a hearing at all. Many of those that never get heard contain great ideas with the potential to help children and families in Arizona thrive. The following list is a sampling of those that we thought DESERVED to be considered.
