Category: Announcement

Your Leadership Journey Starts Here: Apply Now!

Exciting news! Our Lived Experience Leadership Academy(LELA) application is now live!

LELA builds the leadership capacity of individuals with lived experience in the child welfare and/or Medicaid (AHCCCS/KIDSCARE) systems. With our expansive six-month leadership development program, you’ll engage in one session per month (just 2 hours each) and receive a $100 gift card for each session. This is your chance to build your leadership skills, amplify your voice, and make a real impact on policy decisions.

Two Tracks Available:

Child Welfare System Track: For parents, kinship caregivers, and former youth (26 and older)
Public Health Care Track: AHCCCS, KidsCare, and Medicaid

Ready to make an impact? Start your journey to becoming a community leader by applying below!

Deadline to apply is October 25, 2024.

Click here to apply!

Champions for Children Annual Event

Presented by

Join us to celebrate our 2024 Champions for Children Honorees!

Laura Capello, Lifetime Achievement Award

Laura Capello has significantly contributed to the lives of children in Arizona through her visionary leadership of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona. Laura recently retired but leaves a legacy of innovative youth mentoring programs and wrap-around services, including a community navigator program, that recognize that success of youth is inextricably tied to the success of their families. Laura also oversaw collaborations with UMOM New Day Centers and Boys & Girls Clubs and launched a parent council in recognition of the importance of parent engagement. Recognized with numerous accolades, Laura actively serves on several boards, demonstrating her commitment to community service. Laura recently launched her own nonprofit consulting practice to continue to strengthen communities in Arizona. Laura’s leadership and dedication have transformed the lives of youth and their families, setting a high standard for others to follow.

Honorable Corey Woods, Jacque Steiner Public Leadership Award

Mayor Corey Woods has a long record of understanding that by investing time and resources into children, we are investing in the future of our state and country. In his tenure leading the City of Tempe, Mayor Woods has demonstrated exceptional leadership in prioritizing early learning, growing affordable housing, and addressing hunger. He secured permanent funding for Tempe PRE (Preschool Resource Expansion), ensuring accessible early education, and expanded affordable housing through the Hometown for All program. Mayor Woods has also enhanced shelter services for people experiencing homelessness and advocated for solutions to childhood hunger. Children’s Action Alliance knows Mayor Wood’s leadership especially well as he served as a Children’s Action Alliance board member for years before taking on the role of Chair. Recognized as “Advocate of the Year” by the Arizona Housing Coalition, Mayor Woods continues to inspire through his dedication to finding policy solutions to critical issues and his authentic community engagement.

Pilgrim Rest Foundation, Organization Leadership Award

Pilgrim Rest Foundation: Pilgrim Rest Foundation (PRF) has been a cornerstone in Phoenix for over 30 years with a mission to maximize the potential of every individual with whom the PRF staff interacts and serves. Through their longstanding benevolence program, PRF provides essential support through basic needs assistance, community education, and health services. PRF serves children and families in need through their Nurturing Parenting Program, a monthly Mobile Food Pantry, assistance to persons experiencing homelessness, and health initiatives providing vaccinations and screenings. Recently, PRF partnered with Arizona State University Preparatory Academy to establish a premier pre-K through 8th grade education site featuring innovative virtual reality learning. PRF has long supported kinship caregivers while also advocating for sustainable foster care prevention supports so more families can stay safely together. PRF’s commitment to individual and community empowerment has made a significant difference for underserved families in Arizona.

Paula Ortega, Youth Champion

Paula Ortega, co-founder of Reframe Youth Arts Center, has dedicated the past five years to creating a supportive environment for youth. She advocates for those transitioning out of foster care and promotes wellness within food systems. The Reframe Youth Art Center’s innovative programs provide free meals, classes, and economic opportunities, emphasizing youth leadership and combating adultism, the systematic mistreatment and disrespect of young people. Additional initiatives, like the healing kitchen, teach valuable skills and promote nutritious food systems. Paula’s collaborative spirit and dedication have profoundly impacted South Phoenix, offering a safe space and emergency support and empowering youth through leadership and employment opportunities.

Honorable Kathleen Quigley, Everyday Hero Award

Under Judge Kathleen Quigley’s leadership, Pima County Juvenile Court has become a model of innovation, focusing on prevention, family unity, and connecting individuals with resources that address their challenges. As Presiding Judge, Judge Quigley has implemented initiatives that make a difference including the Dependency Alternative Program and Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) court, focusing on family stability, resources, and family connections. Nationally, Judge Quigley serves on the Board of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and is the President-Elect. The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges contributes to cutting-edge prevention strategies that support children and families. She was an important part of efforts to make the juvenile justice system fairer for low-income families, culminating in eliminating juvenile court fees in Arizona in 2023. Her problem-solving leadership and dedication to justice have significantly impacted the lives of children and families in Arizona.

Honorable Alfred Urbina, Everyday Hero Award

Alfred (Fred) Urbina has dedicated his career to protecting children, women, and the public. Under his leadership, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Pima County Juvenile Court launched an Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) court to ensure that strengthened efforts are taken for children to remain connected to their families and their culture. Under his leadership, his office also commissioned a book series written and illustrated by Pascua Yaqui citizens for displaced youth in the foster care system. Fred has long been a leader in state and national efforts to maximize community protections under the Violence Against Women Act. He was appointed by Governor Doug Ducey to Arizona’s Study Committee on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and by Governor Katie Hobbs to Arizona’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Task Force. Fred is a Veteran of the United States Army, served as the Attorney General for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, and as Associate Judge for the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Court, among other public service roles. Fred is now the Principal Attorney at Urbina Legal Solutions, PLLC, providing Indian Law legal solutions, training, and technical assistance while upholding tribal sovereignty and self-determination in every project.

If you're interested in becoming a sponsor, check out our opportunities below. Contact Damita Curry at dcurry@azchildren.org for more details.

Welcoming Kyrstyn Paulat: Director of Early Learning and Education

We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our team, Kyrstyn Paulat, who will serve as the Director of Early Learning and Education at Children's Action Alliance!

Kyrstyn has always had a passion for education policy, which stemmed from her mother's experience as a public school teacher in Arizona. This led to Kyrstyn pursuing opportunities in education policy, which included her graduate program, where she concentrated on education funding in her capstone project, and a full-time immersion internship at the Arizona State Legislature, where she was a policy intern for the Education and Appropriations Committees.

After receiving her master's degree, Kyrstyn spent the next eight years at Public Consulting Group, where she focused on optimizing federal Medicaid reimbursement for school districts to help children in various states, including Arizona. Kyrstyn worked closely with state Medicaid agencies and school districts on program administration, compliance, and policy changes.

Kyrstyn has a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies and a Master of Public Administration degree from Arizona State University, as well as a Certificate in Strategic Transformation and Innovation from Stanford University.

Please join us in welcoming Kyrstyn to our team! She will lead our policy work in areas including child care, early learning, K-12 education, and related family supports that help children, caregivers, and parents thrive. We look forward to working alongside her to advance policy for Arizona's children and families!

ICYM: Elevate Her Event

As we closed out June, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress and Children’s Action Alliance gathered with leaders from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to host a data filled forum on the impact that lack of child care and paid family medical leave have on women, their families, and the economy.

Why is this so important to Children’s Action Alliance? Because economic stability is one of the key supports that can help a child and family thrive.

Why is this so important to the Arizona Center for Economic Progress? Because our economy should work for all Arizonans regardless of barriers and advance opportunities that enhance everyone’s economic well-being.

Data was a core part of the gathering.

Paid Leave

Out of the 193 countries that are members of the United Nations, only six countries, including the United States, do not offer paid family leave. To fill this gap, 13 states and the District of Columbia have enacted paid leave programs.
About half of Arizona workers have access to unpaid leave but only 1 in 3 can afford it. Meanwhile, only 1 in 4 workers in the US and Arizona have access to paid leave.
A 2022 report notes that for many women, taking even a month of unpaid leave after childbirth is unaffordable and unattainable. Gaps in these benefits are larger among women who have lower incomes and those who work part-time.

Child Care

A recent report by Ready Nation estimates that the economic impacts of insufficient child care cost Arizona $4.7 billion annually.
A 2021 report found that investing in high-quality and affordable child care support for families could increase women’s lifetime earnings and retirement saving (on average close to $100,000 for a mother of two children) and help to reduce the gender inequity in earnings.

Thanks to all who attended the Elevate Her event as we work towards creating a more inclusive economy and workplace. And thank you to the leaders who joined us as speakers:

Keynote speech provided by the amazing Kelly Jenkins-Pultz, Regional Administrator, Women’s Bureau at the U.S. Department of Labor.
A compelling presentation of data about the impact of child care and paid family leave on women, their families, and our economy was presented by Joseph Palomino, Arizona Center for Economic Progress Director, and Geraldine Miranda, Economic Policy Analyst.
A panel of inspiring leaders moderated by January Contreras, Children’s Action Alliance CEO. Thank you to Whitney Daniels (Senior Advisor, Office of Governor Hobbs), Alejandra Gomez (Executive Director, LUCHA), and LaSetta Hogan (Deputy Economic Development Director, City of Phoenix).
A heartfelt legislative update was provided by Representative Junelle Cavero, who joined us as we gathered in her own district and discussed policy solutions for Arizonans.

Watch out for more on these issues.

Children in Arizona and their Well-Being

Read Report - 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book

Check out ABC15's article on the report, here.

Children’s Action Alliance works in partnership with people like you every day to improve the well-being of children. Now, the annual data is out to help us know how their well-being has improved - and how it hasn’t.

This year, Arizona ranks 42nd in child well-being according to the 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, which is down from last year’s 39^th ranking. This means Arizona has sunk back down into the bottom ten states in the country. As we look at the data, there is both discouraging and encouraging news.

Economic well-being: Arizona ranks 33^rd.
Education: Arizona ranks 44^th.
Health: Arizona ranks 34^th.
Family and community: Arizona ranks 41^st.

Key Findings of the 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book and Their Impact:

About 40% of children in the U.S. have faced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE). In Arizona, this number is slightly higher at 43%.
High housing costs remain a challenge for families. In 2022, 29% of children in Arizona lived in households with a high housing cost burden, which is a greater share than the last report. This especially matters to students considering that housing instability has been found to be a predictor of chronic absenteeism.
Child care and preschool continue to be out of access to many families. In Arizona, young children (ages 3 and 4) not in school grew to 65% from the previous share of 62%. A recent Arizona survey found that 42% of working parents reduced work hours due to child care issues. Lack of access to affordable childcare increases the risk of parental stress and maternal depression, which is a specific ACEs risk factor for children. When parents can’t afford child care, it impacts parents, children, and the economy.
The share of children who lack health insurance has improved from 9% to 8%, which acknowledges policymakers working to protect health coverage for children.
One of the hardest hitting findings is that the share of child and teen deaths in Arizona has increased by 5% and is above the national rate.

The data tells us that we must work together to help children in Arizona thrive and, when we do, that collaboration can make a difference. Supporting families and children as they struggle with rising costs such unaffordable housing and child care costs is an urgent issue in need of solutions. Children’s Action Alliance recommends federal, state, and local governments:

Advance policies that strengthen household financial security, including accessible child care, affordable housing, temporary financial assistance, and food assistance. Regarding children, the CDC reports that prevention of ACEs can be supported by policies that increase economic stability, decrease parental stress, and improve parents’ ability to meet children’s basic needs and obtain high-quality child care.
Protect health insurance for children, including through the private market, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System Medicaid plans, and KidsCare. A recent expansion of KidsCare is an encouraging bipartisan action that results in thousands more children gaining coverage.
Invest in child care now to lower costs and reduce the disruption that will be caused by the looming child care funding cliff.
- The Arizona Legislature and Governor Katie Hobbs should dedicate state general funds to child care to support Arizona’s children, parents, providers, and economy, as proposed in Governor Hobbs’Executive Budget. Investment of significant public funding is an urgent priority for child care accessibility as child care providers already operate on thin margins and childcare workers receive very low wages.
- The federal government should continue to increase funding for the nation’s child care infrastructure, including child care and Head Start, and take actions to increase affordability, such as their recent proposed regulation.

Supporting students in need of mental health services and trauma-informed support is a critical need that Arizona has begun to address and must continue to do so. Children’s Action Alliance recommends that policymakers:

Invest in public schools and community schools to become trauma-informed and provide wraparound support to kids and families. Investment is needed for schools to better support student learning, attendance, and well-being through trauma-informed school Schools can improve student outcomes with investments in tutoring, mental health support, nutritional assistance, and other services, including multi-cultural and multi-lingual parent engagement.
Continue to build pathways for students to access mental health services through school. In 2020, the Arizona Legislature passed Jake’s Law, which created the Children’s Behavioral Health Fund to allow uninsured and underinsured children to receive services through schools and AHCCCS health plans. More actions such as these are needed in sustainable ways, including more school counselors, on-site services provided by AHCCCS health plans, and continued expansion of authority for schools to directly bill AHCCCS for all Medicaid-covered health services.

Read Report - 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book

Supporting Children and Families in Yuma County

Children’s Action Alliance takes its commitment to advocating alongside children and families from across Arizona seriously. This month, we listened and learned in Yuma County. The way for us to be the most effective advocates is to meet Arizonans where they are and ensure their joys and struggles inform our advocacy.

Thank you to the Regional Center for Border Health, Northern Arizona University, and the Arizona Department of Health Services for inviting us to present on the bright spots and challenges facing children as part of your health equity agenda in San Luis, Arizona. We also thank First Things First for inviting us to be a part of the Child Care Crisis Leadership Forum co-hosted by the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp and the Yuma Chamber of Commerce. We heard employers seeking solutions that increase affordable child care. Finally, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress co-hosted a community gathering with Rural Engagement Arizona to discuss the care economy in the City of Yuma. We appreciate community members sharing their stories and experiences.

Thank you, Yuma County, for allowing us to advocate alongside you.

Join Our New Club!

Are you passionate about your community? Want to influence opinions and create positive change? Join the club! CAA’s new Letter-To-Editor Club or Let’s Tell ‘Em Club (LTE) offers training to help you use your voice to educate your community and elected officials about issues that impact you, your family, and your community.

Have you ever read your local printed or digital news source and wanted to weigh in on an issue? We’re here to help community members from across Arizona do just this. We’re kicking off our LTE club with two training dates—one at night and one in the morning. Please sign up below. If any of the below are true for you, please join us!

✓ You’re excited about something happening in your community that you want more people to know about (For example, KidsCare health insurance was recently expanded!)

✓ You feel like your community may not know enough about an issue that is making you lose sleep at night (For example, I want to start a new job, but I can’t afford child care!).

✓ You don’t have a ton of time to dedicate to advocacy, but writing one letter to the editor is something you can do with a bit of help from Team CAA (For example, I can’t volunteer at my local food bank, but I can write a letter asking my legislator to support anti-hunger programs).

During the training, our CEO, January Contreras, and team members will explain what makes an outstanding letter to the editor and how we can help you get your letter published and promoted. We will gather monthly to discuss our achievements and obstacles and learn from each other.

You can make a significant impact with small actions!

Sign up for our virtual training here:

Tuesday, June 4, 6:00 PM and Friday, June 7, 9:30 AM

We hope to see you soon!

Celebrating Karen McLaughlin's Dedication to Arizona's Well-being!

We are grateful to Karen McLaughlin as she retires after dedicating her career to public service and the well-being of Arizonans. Karen began her career at Children’s Action Alliance (CAA) working on state budget and fiscal issues in July 2005 after having worked for the state of Arizona for 31 years. She worked for several state agencies including the Governor’s Office for Strategic Planning and Budgeting, Department of Health Services, Department of Revenue, and Arizona State University. Prior to retirement from State service, she was the Financial Services Administrator at the Department of Economic Security, overseeing the agency’s budget and fiscal work.

Karen was one of the original staff in the Arizona Center for Economic Progress when it was created in 2016. She helped create what is now Budget 101, an explanation of how Arizona state government is funded, how the funds are spent, and the implications of tax policy on everyday Arizonans. We invite you to share her Budget 101 with concerned citizens in her honor.

We will have a formal send-off for Karen coming up, but on her last official day we give her our great thanks for all that she has contributed to the people and State of Arizona.

Most Sincerely,

January Contreras

CEO and President

We're hiring!

The Arizona Center for Economic Progress (AZCenter) is looking for a strategic and visionary leader to serve as its next Executive Director.

Launched in 2017, the AZCenter is an affiliate of Children’s Action Alliance(CAA), a 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization in Arizona. The AZCenter is a leader in advancing change that creates a fairer tax code and economic policies that build thriving communities and better economic opportunities for all Arizonans.

If you are a proven leader ready to work with advocates, policymakers, and communities to reduce inequities in our economy and to advance solutions that create a fair and socially just Arizona, learn more about this meaningful opportunity!