With the leadership of legislative champions for children, the 2007 and 2008 sessions meant impressive gains for the state’s most vulnerable children. For example,

• Health Care for Children: Covering All Kids

  • Passage in 2007 of the "Cover All Kids" law which resulted in 38,000 more children receiving health insurance with intent to cover all children in five years.

  • Progress in 2008 towards defending the Cover All Kids law including keeping important outreach programs.

  • Passage of the Children’s Safe Products Act (the "Toxic Toys" bill)

• Improvements to Child Welfare

  • $23 million increase for more services to children and families including quicker response to abuse and neglect, more frequent visits by social workers, and extension of health coverage for children in foster care to age 21.

  • Additional investments to implement key provisions of the Braam lawsuit settlement (legal action brought to strengthen the state’s foster care system) including sibling visits and 30-day visits.

• Strengthening Early Learning and Child Care

  • Funds to plan the successful merger of our state Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Head Start.

  • Creation of a state Department of Early Learning.

  • Child care quality rating and improvement.

  • State funding for after school.

(For more information, see www.childrensalliance.org.)