Study Shows Contact with CPS Too High and Disproportionate by Race and Ethnicity
A recent report from the Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences found that for many children in the United States, especially Black children, encounters with the child welfare system are commonplace. The study looked at the prevalence of contact with Child Protective Services (CPS) across…
We’re suing to keep kids healthy at school
If state budgets are an indication of our government’s values, this year’s state budget is a terrifying reflection. In the midst of a pandemic that has ravaged communities and left more than 113,000 American children without a parent or custodial grandparent, the legislature did not make any significant…
Hiring on All Cylinders
As President and CEO of Children’s Action Alliance (CAA) and the founding director of the Arizona Center for Economic Progress (AZCenter), it is imperative that our organization is centered in the communities we seek to empower with trusted information based in data and facts. Our commitment to seeking…
Senators Sinema and Kelly, Arizonans Need Your Vote
A new poll from Hart and ALG Research shows that Arizonans overwhelmingly support paying for the critical needs of the state’s working families by ensuring the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share in taxes. The polling comes as the US Senate took the first steps this morning toward approving…
Much needed help is on the way to child care providers
Big thanks to the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and the Governor’s Office for recently launching the Arizona Child Care Stabilization Grant Program. The program was made possible with funds from the American Rescue Plan, the most recent Biden Administration COVID relief package passed…
Pandemic’s impact on routine child vaccination puts Arizonans of all ages at risk
Arizona has long had some of the most linient childhood vaccination policies in the nation. Parents of children enrolled in school or child care can refuse to immunize their children by submitting a medical, religious, or personal belief exemption. The use of these exemptions has skyrocketed over the…
Arizona’s legislators missed a unique opportunity this legislative session
Arizona’s legislators had a unique opportunity this legislative session. The pandemic did not result in state revenues falling to the $1 billion deficit that was expected. Instead, analysts projected there was more than $1 billion in ongoing, unobligated revenues plus nearly $3 billion in one-time…
Foster Youth Delivered Petition to Distribute Federal Relief Funds
Today, Fostering Advocates Arizona (FAAZ), a group of policy leaders with lived experience in foster care, delivered a petition signed by nearly 600 Arizonans to Governor Doug Ducey and Department of Child Safety (DCS) Director Mike Faust urging them to use federal COVID relief funds to provide young…
Babies and Toddlers Need Help Too!
The pandemic has raised awareness of several issues and gaps in the early childhood system that have long existed. Much focus has been placed on the needs of preschool and school aged children and the gaps in access to high quality child care, but we do not want to forget our babies and toddlers who…