Our KidsFlash blog helps child advocates and policymakers stay up to date on the latest child wellbeing news around the state. In our weekly newsletter, you can find data and research on child health, early childhood learning and development, K-12 education, and more. During the legislative session, KidsFlash also serves as a resource to help track important legislation and policies affecting Colorado's kids. Get the inside scoop on the Children's Campaign's outreach efforts - including information on important fundraising and advocacy events, as well as efforts being undertaken by the It's About Kids and Circle of Friends networks. The KidsFlash blog is your connection to the resources and information you need to make a difference in the lives of Colorado's children.
This week, we are excited to have an in-depth conversation on one of the most consequential policies at the legislature this year: House Bill 22-1259. This bill will make changes to TANF so that it is responsive to the needs of our families and our changing economic landscape.
Cover All Coloradans will be introduced in the Colorado General Assembly soon. All Colorado children and families must be able to live healthy lives — and this means having access to affordable, high-quality, continuous and equitable health insurance coverage.
House Bill 1259 will make long overdue and much needed improvements to our state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
More than 400 pieces of legislation have been introduced, and the Children’s Campaign has already analyzed and taken positions on 120.
Kayla Frawley, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Clayton Early Learning, takes a moment to describe the services Clayton provides to over 500 Colorado families, and the necessary support HB22-1010 would give to their early childhood educators and caregivers.
While the Children’s Campaign did not have any priority bills up for hearings or votes this week, we were excited to support our partners and their efforts, including a successful vote on House Bill 1055, which will exempt diapers and period products from sales tax.
We’re hearing directly from our early childhood educators about the Early Childhood Educator Income Tax Credit! Lindsey Levin-Salamon, Director of BMH-BJ Preschool in Denver, shares the work her center has done to support its early childhood educators, and how HB22-1010 can help.
With SB22-087, the Colorado legislature can guarantee healthy school meals for all public school students by making the program permanent in our state.
The pace of the legislative session has certainly picked up at the state Capitol! Over 350 bills have been introduced, including numerous bills related to education and health.
Last Thursday, the House Education committee convened on HB22-1010, the Early Childhood Educator Income Tax Credit. Here are some quick-draw highlights from the bill’s sponsors, and witnesses who provided testimony.