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The West Steps

The West Steps explores the issues that matter for Colorado kids and families. The West Steps is a production of the Colorado Children’s Campaign.

Copyright: ℗ & © 2020 The West Steps

Latest Episodes:

Bilingual Child Care Licensing is About More Than a License May 08, 2024

In this episode of The West Steps, we’re discussing efforts to improve language access and language justice in Colorado by making sure that critical resources and information are available in languages that are prevalent in our state. Earlier this year, Colorado’s legislature passed a bill to make sure that child care licensing resources in our state are available in Spanish as well as English.

Lauren Corboy, Senior Policy Analyst at the Colorado Children’s Campaign and Angelica Prisciliano, Director of Policy at the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition join us to talk about why language access matters – in general and in early childhood. We also talk about how this year’s effort to make sure the Colorado Department of Early Childhood can provide bilingual licensing resources and support could have ripple effects that support families and kids across the state.

You can contact Lauren Corboy at laurenc@coloradokids.org and Angelica Prisciliano at angelica@coparentcoalition.org. Learn more about our work by visiting our website and social media (@coloradokidsorg).

Resources:

2024 Policy Priorities: 2024 Legislative Session - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)

The KidsFlash Blog: KidsFlash - Child Advocacy News | Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)

2023 KIDS COUNT REPORT: 2023 KIDS COUNT - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)

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Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

What Colorado Can Do in 2024 to Improve Perinatal Health Apr 24, 2024

In this episode of The West Steps, we’re discussing maternal health and maternal mortality in Colorado. Unfortunately, large regions of the state have been dubbed maternal care deserts because of their very limited access to perinatal health care. Pregnancy-associated deaths in our state are becoming more common. And many of these deaths are preventable.

But Colorado has taken steps to address this situation in recent years – and in the 2024 legislative session, there are new efforts to make our state a better place for people in the perinatal period and their families. Toni Sarge, Director of Child and Family Health at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; Heather Thompson, Deputy Director at Elephant Circle; and Lauren Smith, Black Civic Engagement and Policy Manager at Soul 2 Soul Sisters join us to talk about two significant bills that aim to improve maternal health and perinatal health care in a variety of ways, from expanding access to midwifery care to improving our understanding of discrimination in the perinatal period.

You can contact Toni Sarge at toni@coloradokids.org, Heather Thompson at heather@elephantcircle.org, and Lauren Smith at lauren@soul2soulsisters.org. Learn more about our work by visiting our website and social media (@coloradokidsorg).

Resources:

2024 Policy Priorities [2024 Legislative Session - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]

The KidsFlash Blog [KidsFlash - Child Advocacy News | Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]

2023 KIDS COUNT REPORT [2023 KIDS COUNT - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]

Maternal Mortality in Colorado Report [FINAL 2023 MMPP Legislative Report.pdf - Google Drive]

Soul 2 Soul Sisters Homepage [Home • Soul 2 Soul Sisters]

Elephant Circle Homepage [Elephant Circle]

Support the show

Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

What Does It Mean to Center Kids in Colorado’s School Funding Formula? Apr 10, 2024

In this episode of The West Steps, we’re discussing Colorado’s school funding formula, which is used to allocate billions of dollars annually to educate kids across the state’s 178 school districts. For the first time in 30 years, the state legislature is seriously considering updating this formula. If they can pull it off, Colorado will have a more equitable, student-centered approach to funding its schools.

Madi Ashour, Director of Youth Success at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; Lorelei Jackson, Student Services Coordinator at Denver Language School; and Dan Snowberger, Superintendent of Elizabeth Schools join us to talk about how prioritizing funding based on student-centered factors like the number of students in a district who are living in poverty, learning English, or who have special needs could help make Colorado’s education system more equitable and effective.

You can contact Madi Ashour at madeleine@coloradokids.org, Lorelei Jackson at loreleimjackson@gmail.com, and Dan Snowberger at dsnowberger@esdk12.org. Learn more about our work by visiting our website and social media (@coloradokidsorg).

Resources:

2024 Policy Priorities [2024 Legislative Session - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]

The KidsFlash Blog [KidsFlash - Child Advocacy News | Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]

School finance task force background and report [School Finance Task Force | CDE (state.co.us)]

Support the show

Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

How a Family Affordability Tax Credit Could Cut Child Poverty in Half Mar 27, 2024

In this episode of The West Steps, we’re discussing the Family Affordability Tax Credit (HB24-1311), a new proposal in the Colorado legislature that has the potential to reduce child poverty in Colorado by half.

Sarah Barnes, Senior Director of Policy at the Colorado Children’s Campaign and Reilly Pharo Carter, Director of Policy & Advocacy at Gary Community Ventures join us to talk about how this credit, which is projected to reach 45% of Colorado families, could make a particularly big difference for kids and families with fewer financial resources.

You can contact Srah Barnes at sarahb@coloradokids.org and Reilly Pharo Carter at rpcarter@garycommunity.org. Learn more about our work by visiting our website and social media (@coloradokidsorg).

Resources:

2024 Policy Priorities [2024 Legislative Session - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]

The KidsFlash Blog [The KidsFlash Blog - Child Advocacy News | Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]
Family Affordability Tax Credit - Supporter Sign-On [Family Affordability Tax Credit - Supporter Sign-On (google.com)]

Support the show

Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Kids Are Losing Health Coverage at an Alarming Rate Mar 13, 2024

Since May 2023, more than 100,000 kids and nearly 550,000 Coloradans have lost Medicaid coverage. In this episode of The West Steps, we’re exploring why so many Coloradans are losing health coverage and why it matters.

Hunter Nelson, Senior Policy Analyst at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; Bethany Pray, Deputy Director at the Colorado Center on Law and Policy; and Shoshi Preuss, Policy Manager at Colorado Community Health Network join us to talk about how people who are still eligible for Medicaid are losing their coverage. They share ideas about how Colorado could improve its administrative systems – and discuss why having a Medicaid program that is functioning smoothly is important for all Coloradans.

You can contact Hunter Nelson at hunter@coloradokids.org, Bethany Pray at bpray@copolicy.org, and Shoshi Preuss at spreuss@cchn.org. Learn more about our work by visiting our website and social media (@coloradokidsorg).

Resources:

2024 Policy Priorities: 2024 Legislative Session - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)

The KidsFlash Blog: KidsFlash - Child Advocacy News | Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)

Hunter Nelson Op-ed in the Colorado Sun: Opinion: Colorado kids are losing health coverage at an alarming rate and we must do more to keep them insured - The Colorado Sun

2023 Audit of Colorado’s Medicaid correspondence: 2261p_medicaid_correspondence.pdf (colorado.gov)

CCLP’s complaint to the Office of Civil Rights: CCLP and NHeLP urge justice department to stop Colorado Medicaid cuts, citing disabilities act violations - CCLP (copolicy.org)

Georgetown Center for Children & Families Unwind: Unwinding Continuous Coverage – Center For Children and Families (georgetown.edu)

KFF’s Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker: Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker | KFF

HCPF’s Data Reporting: Continuous Coverage Unwind Data Reporting | Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

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Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Could a $1500 Tax Credit Make a Difference for the Caring Economy? Feb 28, 2024

In this episode, we’re diving into an effort to create a State Income Tax Credit for Careworkers, which would credit $1,500 to child care workers and caregivers, direct care workers, home health aides, and other people who work in the caring economy.

Melissa Mares, Director of Early Childhood at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; Perrine Monnet, Policy Analyst at the Bell Policy Center; and Emily Sirota, Colorado State Representative join us to talk about how this tax credit would help people who are doing some of the most critical work in our society – often for very low pay.

You can contact Melissa Mares at melissa@coloradokids.org, Perrine Monnet at monnet@bellpolicy.org, and Emily Sirota at emily.sirota.house@coleg.gov. Learn more about our work by visiting our website and social media (@coloradokidsorg).

Resources:

2024 Legislative Session - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)

KidsFlash - Child Advocacy News | Colorado Children's Campaign

Growing Our Future Coalition - Colorado Children's Campaign

Caring Workforce Primer (bellpolicy.org)

bellpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/ReimbursementRates.pdf

State Income Tax Credit for Careworkers | Colorado General Assembly

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Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Out-of-School Programs Are Facing a Funding Cliff: What Can Colorado Do? Feb 14, 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado invested about $20 million relief dollars in out-of-school time programming, which supported 45 grantees and 60 programs across the state. But those dollars are running out, and many programs face uncertain futures. And even with this investment, the supply isn’t meeting the demand – by one estimate, nearly 400,000 Colorado kids are on a wait list for out-of-school time programming.

Kaycee Headrick, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs in Colorado, and Madi Ashour, Director of Youth Success at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, join us to talk about the importance of out-of-school time and how an investment from the state could make a difference for kids’ academics and well-being.

You can contact Madi Ashour at madeleine@coloradokids.org and Kaycee Headrick at kheadrick@bgca.org. Learn more about our work by visiting our website and social media (@coloradokidsorg).

Resources:

2024 Policy Priorities [2024 Legislative Session - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]

The KidsFlash Blog [The KidsFlash Blog - Child Advocacy News | Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]

Support the show

Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Colorado Needs Better Data About Evictions Feb 02, 2024

National research shows that families with children are more likely to experience an eviction – and that evictions can be extremely disruptive for kids’ education, health, and overall well-being. But data about what is happening across Colorado is inconsistent and hard to access. The Colorado Children’s Campaign and Enterprise Community Partners join us to talk about a new bill that would improve our state’s eviction data collection – an important step toward creating policies to prevent unnecessary evictions.

You can contact Sarah Barnes, Senior Director of Policy at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, at sarahb@coloradokids.org and Kinsey Hasstedt, Senior Program Director for State and Local Policy at Enterprise Community Partners, at khasstedt@enterprisecommunity.org to learn more about this bill. Learn more about our work by visiting our website and social media (@coloradokidsorg).

Resources:

2024 Policy Priorities [2024 Legislative Session - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]

The KidsFlash Blog [The KidsFlash Blog - Child Advocacy News | Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]

How Eviction Court Filing Data Can Advance a More Stable Housing Ecosystem for all Coloradans: A New Normal | Enterprise Community Partners
The Americans Most Threatened by Eviction: Young Children - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

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Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The Colorado Children's Campaign 2024 legislative preview: Part 2 Jan 24, 2024

The second part of our legislative preview focuses on early childhood and child and family health. Melissa Mares, Director of Early Childhood, explains why preschool and infant and toddler care are so important to child development. Then, Toni Sarge, Director of Child and Family Health, talks about trends in health coverage and how supporting maternal care makes a big impact on kids.

You can contact Melissa at melissa@coloradokids.org and Toni at toni@coloradokids.org. Learn more about our work by visiting our website and social media (@coloradokidsorg).

Resources:

2024 Policy Priorities [2024 Legislative Session - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]

The KidsFlash Blog [KidsFlash - Child Advocacy News | Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]

2024 Legislative Preview: Part 1 [Buzzsprout]

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Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The Colorado Children's Campaign 2024 legislative preview: Part 1 Jan 17, 2024

Welcome to The West Steps! We’re excited to return as your resource for all things kids and families during the 2024 Colorado legislative session.

In the inaugural episode of Season 6, Colorado Children’s Campaign policy directors discuss what they’re anticipating and prioritizing at the capitol this year.

Part 1 of our legislative preview features Sarah Barnes, Senior Director of Policy and Director of Family Economic Prosperity, with a brief overview of the economic challenges currently facing Colorado families and policy efforts that could help. Then, Madeleine Ashour, Director of Youth Success, tells us a little about her background with youth success and what's happening to support youth mental health and school funding.

You can contact Sarah at sarahb@coloradokids.org and Madi at madeleine@coloradokids.org. Learn more about our work by visiting our website and stay up to date on our work by following us on social media (@coloradokidsorg).

Resources:

2024 Policy Priorities [2024 Legislative Session - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]
The KidsFlash Blog [The KidsFlash Blog - Child Advocacy News | Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]

Support the show

Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Our 2023 legislative session wrap up May 18, 2023

The Colorado General Assembly has officially adjourned! On our final episode of the 2023 legislative session, we hear from some of the Children's Campaign policy staff about how our priority bills landed this session. Senior Policy Analyst Megan Ives, Policy Analysts Lauren Corboy and Hunter Nelson, and Director of Family Economic Prosperity Initiatives Sarah Barnes join us to share how their work this session will have an impact on kids and families across the state for years to come.

Read our full legislative impacts report on our website and stay tuned for more of The West Steps.

Resources

KidsFlash blog [Subscribe]
Legislative Impacts [Learn more]

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Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

How is Colorado working to improve school safety? May 04, 2023

Recent incidents of gun violence in Colorado have once again called into light the need for a more comprehensive approach to school safety. By creating systems in our schools that address the root causes of violence, we can ultimately improve the long-term safety and social-emotional well-being of our students and teachers.

Episode 9 of The West Steps explores school safety with Dr. Beverly Kingston, Director and Senior Research Associate at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at University of Colorado Boulder; and Leslie Colwell, our Vice President of Youth Success Initiatives. Our guests detail effective strategies for building safer schools, share policy success and current research moving this work forward, and describe steps we can take to prevent violence in schools. They also emphasize the need to bring many perspectives to the table when it comes to making decisions about improving school climate. As researchers, advocates, and policymakers continue their work on school safety, it is critical that young people's voices inform their decision-making to create lasting solutions that best serve our communities.

Resources

Kidsflash blog [Subscribe]
Safe2Tell, 24/7 anonymous hotline to report safety concerns [Visit Safe2Tell]
Children’s Campaign school climate policy work [Learn more]
Averting Targeted School Violence: A U.S Secret Service Analysis of Plots against Schools [Read the report]
Safe Communities Safe Schools Model [Read more]

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Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The Braidwood ruling: What does it mean for Colorado? Apr 20, 2023

For more than a decade, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has required that health insurance plans cover a wide range of preventive health care services at no cost to patients. However, access to some of those services is at risk after a federal court ruled last month that the ACA’s preventive services mandate is unconstitutional in a case called Braidwood v. Becerra.

The Children’s Campaign has been working alongside partners for years to help guarantee coverage of critical preventive services in Colorado statute. The Braidwood decision injects uncertainty into our health care system and makes this work even more essential.

On Episode 8 of The West Steps, we dive deeper into the Braidwood ruling and the impact it could have on Americans’ access to essential health services. We hear from Erin Miller, our Vice President of Health Initiatives; Jack Teter, Regional Director of Government Affairs at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains; Isabel Cruz, Policy Director at Colorado Consumer Health Initiative; and Eric Waskowicsz, Policy Manager at United States of Care.

Our guests open the episode by sharing their favorite preventive service and describe how these services impact peoples’ lives. We then shift to a discussion of how the Braidwood ruling has the potential to impact Colorado kids and families if continuous work is not done to guarantee access to these services. We also discuss the recent passage of SB23-189, which will allow many Coloradans to maintain access to important preventive health services, helping to reduce health disparities and protecting families from unexpected, expensive bills.

Resources

Learn more about SB23-189 [Visit our Capitol Updates page]
Subscribe to our blog [KidsFlash]
United States of Care resources on Braidwood: https://unitedstatesofcare.org/braidwood-v-becerra-resources/
Preserving Coloradans’ access to preventive services amid challenges to the ACA - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)

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Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The Children's Campaign’s mid-session update Apr 06, 2023

We are now more than halfway through the 2023 legislative session! With only a few weeks remaining, the Children's Campaign is working hard to ensure that our policy priorities make their way to the governor’s desk. We continue to push for the renewal of the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit, increased access to the judicial system for evictions proceedings, equitable changes to our school finance formula, and expanded coverage for people enrolled in our public health insurance programs. This year’s Long Bill, which lays out the state’s budget, has been introduced, and we are hopeful that our advocacy in support of increased funding for Colorado's Family Planning Program will be successful.

Riley Kitts, our Sr. Director of Policy and Government Affairs, returns to The West Steps this week for a mid-session update. Riley provides an overview of where the Children’s Campaign priority bills are in their journey through the legislature. He also describes some of the political dynamics at the state Capitol. With so many new legislators in our state’s General Assembly this year, it has been a critical period of relationship- building for the Children’s Campaign as we work to get our priorities across the finish line. We are eager to accomplish as much as we can for kids and families in Colorado with the time we have left!

Resources

Capitol Updates [Follow our Cap Updates]
KidsFlash [Subscribe]
Contact Riley to learn more! [Email Riley]

Support the show

Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The importance of play in early childhood Mar 23, 2023

Play has benefits for people of all ages, but it is particularly important during early childhood. Play time, and unstructured play time in particular, is correlated with improved language skills, problem solving skills, and math skills. It also has been shown to increase physical health and alleviate stress. As Colorado develops quality standards for its new universal preschool program, set to launch in fall 2023, there is an opportunity to ensure that those standards incorporate clear guidelines around developmentally appropriate play-based instruction.

On this week's episode of The West Steps, we hear from current and former early childhood educators about the impact play has on child development. We are joined by Lauren Corboy, Early Childhood Policy Analyst at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; Ben Collinsworth, General Education Teacher at Emily Meschter Early Learning Center; and Chelsea Eneix, Pre-K teacher at The Goddard School. Our guests define play, detail the benefits of play for young children, and share what play looks like in their own classrooms. Lauren, Ben, and Chelsea also discuss what policymakers can do to ensure that play time is prioritized in classrooms.

Interested in learning more about this topic? On April 6, join the Children’s Campaign and our partners from Save the Children Action Network, Clayton Early Learning, Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance, Trust for Learning, and Raise Colorado to learn about the value of play in early childhood education. Researchers, educators, and advocates will share why and how you can speak up for more play time for Colorado kids. Register today!

Resources

KidsFlash Blog [Subscribe]
Play More, Learn More webinar [Register]
Learn more about the importance of play [Read more here]

Support the show

Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

What you need to know about Healthy School Meals for All Mar 09, 2023

Last fall, Colorado voters approved Proposition FF to establish the Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program. This made our state one of three in the nation to provide universal, free school meals to all public school students. By reducing tax deductions at higher income levels, HSMA creates a fund to reimburse participating school districts for every meal served. HSMA also establishes additional programs that support schools in purchasing local food, paying cafeteria workers higher wages, and providing technical assistance throughout the implementation process. Advocates are hopeful that the passage of HSMA will prompt other states to work towards making school meals available to all students.

Ashley Wheeland, Director of Public Policy at Hunger Free Colorado, joins us this week on The West Steps to talk about HSMA. In this episode, we learn how Proposition FF made its way to voters, what exactly the program does, and the many benefits that school districts and students will see by opting in to HSMA. Set to launch in fall 2023, this program is currently the most robust in the nation – positioning Colorado as a leader in combatting childhood hunger. With the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Emergency Allotments (EAs) set to end this month, more than 250,000 households and 499,000 individuals in Colorado will see a significant reduction in the amount of SNAP benefits they receive. This means the new HSMA program is even more critical to the food security and health of kids across the state. To learn more about Hunger Free Colorado’s work to combat food insecurity, visit their website.

Resources

Support the show

Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Now is the time to invest in Colorado’s Family Planning Program Feb 23, 2023

At both the ballot box and the Capitol, Coloradans have reaffirmed their commitment to reproductive justice in the past several years. In a post-Roe landscape, Colorado has positioned itself as a national leader in supporting policies and programs that allow people to access comprehensive family planning services, including abortion care, at low- to no-cost. However, the federal funds that support a critical reproductive health program have remained stagnant in recent years. While our providers proudly serve both Coloradans and out-of-state patients, Colorado must take steps to maintain and expand access to the reproductive health care services people need to ensure autonomy over their bodies.

Welcome back to The West Steps! Today, we are joined by three guests who bring a wealth of knowledge and passion for reproductive justice: Lauren Smith, Director of Public Policy at Soul 2 Soul Sisters and Elephant Circle; Hunter Nelson, Policy Analyst at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; and Amanda Carlson, Abortion Fund Director at Cobalt Advocates. Our guests detail the current need for increased investments in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) Family Planning Program – an essential resource that helps thousands of Coloradans access critical care. Lauren, Hunter, and Amanda also detail racial and economic disparities in reproductive health access and outcomes – and why it is essential that we elevate the voices of Black, Brown, rural, and low-income communities in all reproductive justice efforts. Bodily autonomy is a fundamental human right, and it is essential that those who can become pregnant have resources and services readily available to make the best decisions for themselves and their futures. Join the Children’s Campaign’s family planning Action Alert and stand alongside advocates who are working to increase funding for this essential program.

Resources

Support the show

Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Keeping Colorado kids covered in 2023 and beyond Feb 09, 2023

Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans are at risk of losing their health coverage over the course of the next year as the pandemic-era policy that has indefinitely kept people enrolled in Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) is set to come to an end. Since early 2020, the complex, burdensome processes required to stay enrolled in public health coverage have been paused, resulting in a reduction to the state’s uninsured rate. The impact of this pause was especially significant for our kids: The child uninsured rate in Colorado improved from 5.5% to 4.6% between 2019 and 2021. Colorado can ensure that families with low incomes can continue to access the health care they need to thrive by providing longer periods of continuous Medicaid and CHP+ coverage to young children and other critical populations.

This week on The West Steps, we are joined by Erin Miller, Vice President of Health Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; Liz Tansey, Senior Manager at Covering Kids and Families; and Jodi Walker, Founder/Executive Director of Kids at Their Best. Our guests provide an overview of how Medicaid enrollment policies have changed since the pandemic and share their knowledge and perspectives on the upcoming Medicaid continuous eligibility unwind. Erin, Liz, and Jodi also explain why kids are likely to be disproportionately impacted when these policies begin to unwind, and share solutions being brought forward to help keep Coloradans enrolled in Medicaid. These proposals include various outreach efforts across the state and a new bill that could change enrollment policies in the long term.

Resources

All Kids Covered coalition [Learn more]
KidsFlash newsletter [Subscribe]
Kids At Their Best website [Check out]
Covering Kids and Families website [Check out]
Colorado Children's Campaign website [Check out]

Support the show

Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Access to justice: How we can improve eviction court proceedings in Colorado Jan 26, 2023

This week on The West Steps, we discuss Colorado’s eviction process with Jack Regenbogen, Deputy Executive Director at the Colorado Poverty Law Project, and Sarah Barnes, Director of Family Economic Prosperity Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign. Sarah and Jack lay out a policy that would help keep families across the state in safe, stable housing if passed during the 2023 legislative session. Both Jack and Sarah have been working with their respective organizations to institutionalize what many housing advocates feel is a best practice: accessibility of remote participation in eviction proceedings.

This episode explores how eviction courts have changed throughout the pandemic and the ways in which virtual participation could help those who have been systemically targeted by inequitable housing policies and practices. Sarah also outlines a bill the Children’s Campaign is working on in partnership with Enterprise Community Partners that would improve the quality and transparency of eviction data. In combination with more accessible eviction hearings, more consistent, comprehensive data on these processes can ensure that we better understand who is most affected by eviction – and how best we can prevent families from facing eviction in the first place. To learn more or get involved in this work, contact Sarah at sarahb@coloradokids.org, or Jack at jack@copovertylawproject.org.

Resources

Policy advocacy toolkits and resources [Visit our linktree]
Remote eviction proceedings fact sheet [Read the fact sheet]
KidsFlash blog [Subscribe to Kidsflash]

Support the show

Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The Colorado Children's Campaign 2023 legislative preview Jan 12, 2023

Welcome to The West Steps! We are so excited to be back again as your resource for all things kids and families during the 2023 Colorado legislative session. To kick off the inaugural episode of season 5, we are joined by Riley Kitts, Sr. Director of Policy and Government Affairs at the Colorado Children’s Campaign.

Riley provides a brief overview of how our state’s legislative session works and a preview of what we can expect from this year’s general assembly. With new legislators and new political dynamics, this year is shaping up to be an exciting one at the capitol. Riley also gives us a rundown of the Children’s Campaign’s policy priorities this session, which reflect our new strategic framework and focus on four main issue areas: youth success, family economic prosperity, child and family health, and early childhood. We encourage you to stay plugged into our work over the course of the session as we advocate for children and families across Colorado.

You can contact Riley at riley@coloradokids.org to learn about how you can engage in this year’s session. Learn more about our work by visiting our website, and stay up to date on our work by following us on social media (@coloradokidsorg).
Resources

2023 Policy priorities [2023 Legislative Session - Colorado Children's Campaign (coloradokids.org)]
KidsFlash blog [KidsFlash blog - Child advocacy news]

Support the show

Follow the Children's Campaign on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

2022 legislative session wrap up May 13, 2022

The 2022 legislative session of the Colorado General Assembly concluded on May 11 with a number of wins for kids and families. After a mad dash to the finish line, we are proud to share that all of our priority bills passed with bipartisan support! This year's legislative wins were characterized by major systemic shifts across all our issue areas. Among other successes we played a part in, we laid out the guidelines for implementing our new state Department of Early Childhood and Universal Preschool Program, helped expand Medicaid and CHP+ coverage for undocumented kids and pregnant people, updated our state’s TANF program, and secured more equitable, student-centered funding for our schools. This work would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of our partners, coalition members, and advocates from across the state. Thank you for your continued support in making Colorado the best possible state for kids and families.

We are joined by Riley Kitts, Government Affairs Director at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, for our final conversation of season four. Riley celebrates the Children’s Campaign’s numerous legislative successes, and shares his own personal highlights and challenges from the past 120 days of session. In the midst of these successes, we continue to recognize the work that still remains in realizing every chance for every child in Colorado. We hope you will join us in our efforts to continue advocating for innovative solutions that prioritize child well-being.

To read more about the bills we championed and supported in the 2022 legislative session, click here.

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How will we cover all Coloradans in 2022? Part 2 May 06, 2022

House Bill 22-1289: Cover All Coloradans is a monumental bill that will provide comprehensive public health insurance coverage to children, pregnant and postpartum undocumented Coloradans. However, there is much more to this bill than what meets the eye. Behind this critical piece of legislation have been hours of dedicated engagement from a steering committee consisting of 11 directly impacted community members. Their experiences, stories, and insight have helped shape this bill and provide the perspective essential to ensuring it remains effective and equitable. By uplifting and centering community voice in policy work, we can more holistically embed human-centered legislation in systems that for far too long have intentionally shut out so many communities in our state.

Welcome back to season 4 of The West Steps! On today’s episode, we have a full house discussing the Cover All Coloradans bill. We are joined by Erin miller, Vice President for Health Initiatives at the Colorado Children's Campaign; Rayna Hetlage, Senior Policy Manager at Center for Health Progress; Raquel Lane- Arellano, Policy Manager at Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition; and Dr. Lilia Cervantes, Associate Professor at CU Anschutz Medical Campus. Our discussion highlights the progress HB22-1289 has made throughout the legislative session, including the amendments that have been added to make it an even better bill. We also hear about the community-informed process behind this legislation, and how we can work to ensure such processes are more embedded in our policy advocacy work. To learn more about HB22-1289 and its journey through the legislature, click here.

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Now is the time to correct Colorado’s inequitable school funding system Apr 29, 2022

Welcome back to The West Steps! Today, we return to a highly complex and often misunderstood topic: Colorado’s school funding system, and specifically local “mill levy override” funding. Leslie Colwell, Vice President for Education Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; and George Welsh, former superintendent of Cañon City School District, join us to help make sense of this complicated component of our education and tax system. Our guests explain the ways property tax resources school districts, how it creates and widens inequities, and the impact this has on students.

Access to a high-quality education should not be determined by zip code, yet in Colorado, that is overwhelmingly the case. Our state's school finance system – the ways we resource schools with revenue and our allocation formula – is complicated to understand and highly inequitable. Supplemental revenue can be raised through local mill levy overrides, which require voter approval to increase the amount of mills residents pay for property tax. However, not all property is valued at the same rate, allowing some communities to raise more funds than others. Currently, 64 school districts in the state have zero local overrides to support students. Especially with educational inequities widening as a result of the pandemic, it is essential that our policymakers work to correct this longstanding barrier to student success.

This year, SB22-202 hopes to begin addressing these problems by establishing a state-funded Mill Levy Override Match Fund. This fund intends to level the playing field for schools in low-wealth communities who otherwise constantly struggle for adequate resources to meet student’s needs. While this bill will not solve Colorado’s school finance woes, it is one step toward improving school funding so that a student's access to educational opportunity is not limited by their zip code. To learn more about this bill and its journey through the legislature, click here.

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What is rulemaking and how does it impact kids and families in Colorado? Apr 15, 2022

While many may view the governor signing a bill into law as the final step in the legislative process, this is not the case. In fact, a recently signed bill is barely halfway through the extensive journey a policy must take on its way to implementation. Why? After a bill is signed, the critical rulemaking phase beings. This process establishes in greater detail how the legislation will be implemented, ensuring that a law operates in the way in which it was originally intended. By advocating for equitable rulemaking, we can ensure policies have positive outcomes on those who face the most barriers to opportunity.

Season 4 of The West Steps continues! This week, we are once again featuring a first-ever topic on the podcast: the rulemaking process. Erin Miller, VP of Health Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; Shoshi Preuss, Policy Analyst at Covering Kids and Families; and Bethany Pray, Legal Director at Colorado Center on Law and Policy join us for an overview of this critical component of policymaking. Our guests discuss what exactly rulemaking entails, how state agencies guide the process in different ways, and provide examples of recent rulemaking successes that have had a positive impact on Colorado kids and families. While this work may seem more complicated than engaging with the legislative process, advocacy is still just as important. To learn about how you can advocate for laws in the rulemaking process, visit the Colorado Secretary of State, where you can sign up to receive rules and notices of rulemaking.

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Centering school climate in K-12 education Apr 08, 2022

Research has proven that students are more successful when they feel safe, connected, and have a sense of belonging at school. However, indicators of student success are often centered around academic achievement, overlooking the importance of school climate in contributing to positive student outcomes. As children return to in-person learning after nearly two years of pandemic-related disruptions, Colorado must define a statewide vision for school climate that enables students to feel connected and achieve their goals.

We are back with a new episode of The West Steps! Today's conversation centers a first-ever topic on the podcast – school climate. We are joined by Leslie Colwell, V.P. for Education Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; Jennifer Levin, Director of Public Policy at The Arc of Colorado; and Veronica Bell, 3rd-grade teacher at KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary and Teach Plus Colorado Policy Fellow. Our guests provide us with an overview of how school climate impacts the overall well-being and academic performance of students and the current work the School Climate Coalition is undertaking to create better learning environments for kids statewide. The discussion highlights the need to gather data that more adequately measures the school environments students are currently facing. These could include students sense of belonging, fair discipline practices, and behavioral health support. By gathering these data and making them publicly available, they can be used to help advance holistic policy solutions that create school climates in which students are eager to learn and thrive.

The School Climate Coalition is eager to elevate the voices of those closest to students. If you are interested in sharing your story and getting involved in this important work, contact Leslie Colwell at leslie@coloradokids.org.

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Elevating provider voice as HB22-1295 moves through the legislature Apr 01, 2022

Prior to the pandemic, Colorado made significant strides in improving the quality standards of early childhood programs. However, since the onset of the public health crisis, existing structural challenges have been exacerbated. Among these challenges include issues with workforce recruitment and retention, enrollment rates, and funding – with many children unable to receive care altogether. High quality early childhood experiences play an important role in child development and ultimately lead to better short- and long-term outcomes. For these reasons and many more, Colorado must work to ensure the doors of these child care centers remain open and that providers and caregivers have ample support to give kids the care they need to thrive.

For episode 10 of The West Steps, we are joined by Fatin Ahmad, Assistant Director of Sunshine Academy, for another informative conversation on Colorado's current early childhood landscape. Fatin shares her experiences and challenges as a child care provider, highlighting the urgent need to retain quality teachers to create more fully functional child care spaces. Fatin also discusses the families her center serves and the negative outcomes that may result when children do not receive the care they need due to existing barriers to access. As HB22-1295 makes its way through the legislature, we have hope for the future of Colorado's child care system and the people who rely on it. This bill will begin the implementation process for the Department of Early Childhood and universal preschool. As Fatin emphasizes, to ensure the department achieves its intended goals, we must support providers and families to ensure access to equitable care.

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Now is the time to improve maternal health care in Colorado Mar 18, 2022

The U.S is the only developed country with an increasing maternal mortality rate, and in Colorado, that rate has doubled since 2008. Additionally, longstanding discriminatory policies and practices have led to maternal mortality rates among birthing people of color and people using Medicaid that are significantly higher than the mortality rates seen amongst birthing people who are white, or using private insurance. These data make one thing clear: our current maternal health system is not only failing, but also leading to horrific, deadly outcomes. It is time that families, and especially birthing people, have access to systems that allow them agency over their birthing experiences, and high-quality care that helps their family thrive.

Welcome back to The West Steps! This week, we have a full house discussing maternal health in Colorado with our guests, Erin Miller, Vice President of Health Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; Indra Lusero, founder and director of Elephant Circle; and Kayla Frawley, Manager of Policy and Advocacy at Clayton Early Learning Centers. Our guests provide an overview of the current maternal health landscape in Colorado, including the policies that are taking steps to improve it. They also discuss the rising rate of home and community births, emphasizing the need to make midwifery more integrated in Colorado's maternal health care system. By creating accessible, culturally responsive options for birth settings, the state can better ensure more equitable birth outcomes. In fact, birthing people across the state agree – systemic racism in birth settings is the number one issue that needs to be addressed by Colorado. This legislative session, HB22-128 – Cover All Coloradans -- hopes to take one step toward improving that. To learn more about this bill and how it would improve health care access for birthing people who are undocumented, click here.

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How will HB22-1259 impact Colorado families living in extreme poverty? Mar 04, 2022

When kids experience extreme poverty, it can have lifelong impacts on their health and well-being. That is why it is critical we take steps to help support families who are living far below the federal poverty level. House Bill 22-1259 will make changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF), known here as Colorado Works, so that it is responsive to the needs of our families and our changing economic landscape. By increasing basic cash assistance payments, improving outreach and engagement around the program, and creating a smoother ramp to economic security for TANF recipients, this bill will ensure that all families can meet their basic needs and live happy, healthy lives.

Welcome back to The West Steps. 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. Sarah Barnes, Manager of Special Policy Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, joins us for an overview of the bill and the impact it would have on families living in extreme poverty. Sarah discusses the ways in which the current TANF program is failing the families that depend on it, and how HB22-1259 would enact to fix our TANF statute’s outdated provisions. Basic cash assistance is one of the most targeted ways to lift families out of poverty, and it is essential that structural changes are made to ensure this program is accessible to the families that need it.

To follow this bill and its journey through the legislature, subscribe to KidsFlash and look out for our weekly Capitol Updates. Interested in joining the discussion? Contact Sarah Barnes at sarahb@coloradokids.org to find out ways to get involved with the TANF Coalition.

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Capitol Update – What has happened in the first third of the 2022 legislative session? Feb 25, 2022

With less than 80 days to go in the legislative session, the pace has started to pick up at the Capitol. More than 400 pieces of legislation have been introduced, and the Children’s Campaign has already analyzed and taken positions on 120. We are excited to see some of our priority bills already making their way through the legislature. If passed, our state could see significant systems change in the early childhood sector, school finance formula, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, among others. You can follow these bills – and many more to be introduced – by subscribing to our weekly KidsFlash newsletter and visiting our Capitol Updates page.

This week on The West Steps, we’re in house! Riley Kitts, Government Affairs Director at the Colorado Children's Campaign, sits down with our host and Communications Director, Beza Taddess, to give us an insider view of what the 2022 legislative session has looked and felt like so far. In a year that more closely resembles pre-pandemic times, the session has been off to a slow start. However, the Children's Campaign is still anticipating the introduction of our additional priority bills – and hopefully their passage – to secure some significant wins for Colorado kids and families. Riley shares his excitement for the remainder of the session, and encourages all Coloradans to reach out to their legislators and share their stories. In fact, you don’t even need to travel to the Capitol to advocate for policies you care about. Contact your legislator via email, phone, or social media, and consider signing up to provide virtual testimony on a bill you are passionate about. To learn more about ways to engage, contact Riley at riley@coloradokids.org.

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What is TANF and why does it need to change? Feb 18, 2022

In Colorado, a family with two children must make less than $421 per month to qualify for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Therefore, the level of poverty a family must experience to access this program is too low for it to truly help families achieve economic security. In addition, TANF payments do not adjust proportionally to inflation. The payments families receive are worth far less today than they were in 1996 when the program began. Colorado needs to take steps to ensure TANF better serves the families that need it. In doing so, we can help place families on the path to economic prosperity and ensure children have the resources they need to thrive.

On this week’s episode of The West Steps, we gain firsthand insight about the changes needed to help TANF best support the Colorado families that need it. We are joined by Sarah Barnes, Manager of Special Policy Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; and three members of the Clayton Early Learning team: Coressia Sanders, a former TANF recipient and Continuous Learning and Data Coach; Kayla Frawley, Manager of Policy and Advocacy, and Ealasha Vaughner, mother of two and Community Ambassador Coordinator . Our discussion centers around the many obstacles families face in accessing TANF. With TANF legislation soon to be introduced at the state Capitol, we also hear about the important steps advocates are taking to elevate the voices of TANF recipients in the policy making process to ensure the program changes in a way that better serves families.

Interested in learning more about the work of the TANF coalition? Contact Sarah Barnes at sarahb@coloradokids.org.

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How will we cover all Coloradans in 2022? Feb 11, 2022

Without health insurance, families are one medical emergency away from financial ruin. Therefore, the security and care that health insurance provides is immeasurable. Unfortunately, many Coloradans still do not have access to these services. This lack of health coverage can lead to detrimental outcomes, especially for people of color and people without certain documentation, who often face greater barriers to access due to systemic exclusion from the health care system. Having health insurance creates a ripple effect within families, allowing all to achieve better health outcomes. For these reasons and so many more, we must work to create holistic, integrated, and equitable policy solutions – because all Coloradans are worthy of care and coverage.

Welcome to another episode of The West Steps! This week, we expand on a critical conversation we’ve returned to throughout the podcast’s four seasons. We are joined by Erin Miller, Vice President of Health Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; Shaunti Meyer, midwife and Senior Medical Director at Stride Medical Center; An Nguyen, Chief Dental Officer at Clinica Family Health; and Wendolyne Omaña, co-founder of Construyendo. Our guests highlight the importance of health insurance and preventative care, especially amongst pregnant people. They detail the need to make patients – especially people without documentation- feel safe and worthy of health care services. We also get a first glimpse at Cover all Coloradans, a bill being introduced this session which aims to provide health insurance to all undocumented pregnant people and kids under 19. To learn more about how this bill would provide more Coloradans with the physical, emotional, and oral health care they need and deserve, visit coverallcoloradans.org.

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How Colorado hopes to combat food insecurity among students Feb 04, 2022

Hunger has always been an issue in our state. Over the course of the pandemic, food insecurity amongst Colorado kids increased from 1 in 6 children to 1 in 3. Along with that, many families often were not filling out free or reduced-price lunch applications, making it difficult for schools and programs to identify kids in need of food. This resulted in inaccurate data capturing the number of “at-risk” students in schools – preventing schools from getting the funds needed to provide for kids experiencing economic disadvantages. Working to solve food insecurity calls for a multi-pronged approach – one that more effectively identifies students in households with low incomes, provides high-quality meals, and adequately funds schools so that all students get the food they need to be healthy.

Our latest episode of The West Steps brings together two deeply interwoven topics that, when fully understood, could lead to transformative solutions for student poverty. Stephanie Perez-Carrillo, Colorado Children's Campaign alum; and Leslie Colwell, Vice President for Education Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, discuss the pressing issue of food insecurity in our state, and how a holistic method of measuring student poverty could ensure kids get the nourishing school meals they need to thrive. Food insecurity amongst students was only exacerbated by the pandemic. Districts’ inability to accurately measure “at-risk” students and receive adequate funding to support them calls for a reimagined system of identifying students experiencing economic disadvantage. The “at risk” formula is not the only issue area advocates are hoping to change. This legislative session, SB22-087 aims to create the Healthy School Meals for All program, which would provide free school meals to all Colorado students in participating districts.

To learn more about SB22-087 and find ways to engage, subscribe to our weekly KidsFlash newsletter.

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Educator Tax Credit Explained Jan 28, 2022

Colorado is currently facing an early childhood worker shortage. The increased demand for educators, issues with workforce retention, and the compounding effects of the pandemic have only exacerbated the sector’s high turnover rate. House Bill 22-1010, the Early Childhood Educator Income Tax Credit, hopes to change this. If passed, this bipartisan bill would establish a fully refundable tax credit that would place money directly in the pockets of early childhood educators. The challenges occurring in the child care sector not only impact the early childhood workforce, but the Colorado families dependent on their support as well. Therefore, it is essential that our legislature develop equitable solutions to improve the lives of those who work to provide high-quality care to our youngest Coloradans.

The West Steps returns this week with an episode focused on the issues faced by the early childhood educator workforce. We are joined by Bill Jaeger, Vice President for Early Childhood and Policy Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; and Elisha Stewart, Supervisor for the Inclusive Early Educator Program at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Bill and Alicia share their insight on the current state of our child care workforce, and how HB 22-1010 hopes to change it. They also delve into the impacts that similar legislation has had in other states. While HB22-1010 won’t entirely resolve the challenges faced by early childhood educators, providing the workforce with the foundational income they need to feel more supported is one step toward improving the child care landscape in Colorado for all of those who depend on it.

The first House Committee on Education hearing for HB22-1010 takes place Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. We encourage you to contact your legislator and advocate for the passage of this bill. You can stay updated on HB 22-1010's journey through the legislature by subscribing to KidsFlash and viewing our weekly Capitol Updates.

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How will we improve maternal health data collection in 2022? Jan 21, 2022

Accurate, reliable data allow us to fully understand the health of perinatal people and their babies. Especially with the pandemic’s impact on maternal health, data are critical in providing a robust understanding of the support needed by birthing persons. Unfortunately, the current patchwork system of funding data collection is jeopardizing our understanding of maternal health outcomes in our state. More than ever before, we need these data to inform our policy solutions, work toward more equitable maternal health outcomes, and ultimately create a state where all birthing persons and their children have the resources they need to thrive.

Today’s episode of The West Steps features a first-ever conversation on maternal health data collection in Colorado. We are joined by Sarah Hughes, Vice President for Research Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; Susan Hwang, neonatologist and health services researcher at Children’s Hospital Colorado; and Erin Miller, Vice President of Health Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign. The discussion opens up with the importance of collecting data about birthing people and children, as well as the primary means for data collection in our state. By establishing a well-funded, robust data surveillance system, we can better measure systems change in the maternal health landscape. Though our state and nation face a maternal mortality crisis, we are hopeful that we can make strides in changing that during the 2022 legislative session. Cover All Coloradans – a recently introduced bill – not only aims to provide better health care to individuals across the state, it also includes a more reliable funding stream for one of the state’s best programs for collecting maternal health data— the Health eMoms survey.

If you are interested in participating in advocacy efforts for Cover All Coloradans, or want to learn more about the bill, contact Erin Miller at erin@coloradokids.org. Look for more updates on Cover All Coloradans in our weekly KidsFlash newsletter. Subscribe today!

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Colorado legislatures are back in session and so are we with season four of The West Steps Jan 14, 2022

The Colorado General Assembly is back, which means it’s time to kick off season four of The West Steps. Episode 1 welcomes our Government Affairs Director, Riley Kitts, for an exciting conversation on what we can expect in the 2022 legislative session.

A lot has happened since last session ended in June 2021. Interim committees and task forces convened on issues ranging from behavioral health to early childhood, developing recommendations to ensure legislators are prepared for the 2022 session. In today’s conversation, Riley dives into the Children’s Campaign’s policy priorities, many of which have been refined throughout the interim process. Coloradans should look forward to new legislation impacting the state’s housing and economic crisis, the new Department of Early Childhood, and improved health care access for all. Most importantly, though, we hope to strive toward making our systems work as best as they can for kids and families.

Throughout the 2022 legislative session, the Colorado Children’s Campaign hopes to serve as a resource for all members of our community. There is no better time to get involved in our state government and push our legislators to prioritize families in Colorado. Follow us on social media (@ColoradoKidsOrg), subscribe to our weekly newsletter, and look out for new episodes of The West Steps to stay informed on child well-being news in the months ahead. Looking for more ways to engage at the capitol? Contact Riley Kitts at riley@coloradokids.org for more information.

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EP 5 : Conversations on early care and education in Colorado Dec 03, 2021

Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are developed to ensure children with identified disabilities receive the necessary resources and support they need to thrive in the classroom. As the transition to the new Department of Early Childhood continues, a subgroup has been devoted to developing recommendations for the administration of special education services within the new state agency. No child is the same, which is why we need an early childhood system that ensures kids with special education needs have access to the high-quality instruction and care they need to reach their fullest potential.

Welcome to another episode of our early childhood miniseries, where we will continue to explore the multifaceted ways families find care for their kids in a system that has made it difficult for far too long. In this episode, we are joined by Rachel Schiff and Corinne DePersis, two parents who have children with IEPs. Rachel and Corinne bring their lived experience to our discussion to share how early childhood leaders should approach the development of the new state department for children with IEPs. Throughout the episode, both Rachel and Corinne articulate the need to create a system that meets children and families where they are, and gives them sufficient options for finding early childhood services. They also emphasize how important it is that educators, caregivers, and program directors have the necessary training to support students with IEPs. By ensuring this is a priority in the future, we can take full advantage of the opportunity our state has been given to create a more inclusive childcare system that benefits all children.

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EP 4 : Conversations on early care and education in Colorado Dec 02, 2021

In traditional early care settings, the focus is primarily on educating the child. However, from what we know about our education system, the involvement of parents and caregivers in a child’s earliest years of education is essential to their success. Home visiting programs work to create this reality, especially for immigrant and refugee families who face numerous barriers to accessing high-quality care for their young children. Home visiting programs allow for the whole family, whole child approach to early childhood that House Bill 1304 intended to establish, and including home visiting as a part of universal preschool is essential for equipping parents with the skills they need to best support their children in their education.

Episode 3 of our miniseries on the new Department of Early Childhood features a topic never before discussed on The West Steps: home visiting. We are joined by Melanie Collier, Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) Coordinator at the Spring Institute; and Katira Egal, a home visitor at the Spring Institute. Melanie and Katira open the episode with an informative overview of the differences between home visiting and other child care settings. They also describe their involvement in the transition to the new Department of Early Childhood, as well as their concerns and hopes for the future of child care in our state. As families from all over the world continue to make Colorado their home, it is critical that we provide their children with opportunities to gain the skill set they need to enter kindergarten fully prepared.

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EP 3: Conversations on early care and education in Colorado Dec 01, 2021

When people picture child care providers, many envision licensed professionals in settings outside the home. However, this is not always the case. Family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) providers may be viewed as informal caregivers, but they offer invaluable services to children across our state. By offering trusted, culturally competent, and often more inexpensive care to the families they serve, FFNs have played a major part in allowing families to stay afloat during the pandemic. For these reasons and more, it is critical the new Department of Early Childhood work to uplift the voices of FFNs in the transition process, and recognize them as invaluable contributors to the early care and education system.

We continue our Department of Early Childhood miniseries with a discussion on FFNs and the important role they play in caring for our youngest Coloradans. Katie Lingenheisen, a member of the Rocky Mountain Preschool Coalition; and Cesiah Weidmann, FFN provider, offer their insight toward this commonly misunderstood component of our child care system. Katie and Cesiah discuss the importance of FFNs, how they have been impacted by the pandemic and the ways that FFNS are often left out of discussions in the child care sector. As the cost and availability of child care continue to burden families, FFNs have helped fill the gaps and ultimately allowed our economy to keep moving. Their work is essential, and it is time the early childhood system recognize it as such.

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EP 2: Conversations on early care and education in Colorado Nov 30, 2021

For parents of young children across Colorado, navigating the early childhood system is nothing short of exhausting. The fragmented programs that are often controlled by money and politics have repeatedly belittled the voices of concerned parents and providers for decades – perpetuating a system that fails kids in their most critical years of life. As the transition to the new state Department of Early Childhood continues, it is crucial that those involved in the implementation and planning process elevate community voice- especially the voice of parents and caregivers. In doing so, we can ensure the new state department lifts early childhood to the importance it deserves, fully allowing kids the chance to thrive.

Welcome back to our miniseries highlighting the transition to the new Department of Early Childhood. In episode 2, we are joined by Melissa Mares, Early Childhood Policy Fellow at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, and Janelle Jenkins, Parent Ambassador at Clayton Early Learning Center. Both Melissa and Janelle share their concerns, hopes, and personal experiences with the early care and education system in Colorado- providing first-hand insight toward their involvement in the transition process. As passionate advocates, Melissa and Janelle emphasize the need to transition to an early childhood system that prioritizes dignity, respect, and cares for parents and providers. By putting them first, we can ensure they are fully prepared to care for our kids in the best way possible.

As the transition to the new Department of Early Childhood continues, the Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC) continues to host engagement opportunities that uplift community voices. Click here to learn more about how you can stay plugged into this exciting work.

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EP 1: Conversations on early care and education in Colorado Nov 29, 2021

The passage of Proposition EE in November 2020 provided a huge increase in the number of children able to access preschool in 2023 when it goes into effect. As with any issue like this, universal preschool cannot be implemented overnight, and stakeholders across the state immediately got to work to determine how to ensure our system will be ready for this change. It also pushed our state to think bigger about the many programs and services that exist outside of preschool, but heavily impact children, birth through five.

The passage of House Bill 1304 earlier this year created a historic opportunity for our state to make programs and services that support children and families more aligned, removing barriers for families and early childhood professionals of all kinds. With the new department transition process underway, it is critical that the experiences and perspectives of parents and providers are amplified to effectively create a system that serves our youngest Coloradans in the best way possible.

Welcome back to The West Steps for the first episode of a mini-series highlighting Colorado's new Department of Early Childhood. We are joined by Diana Herrera, Director of Education and Special Education at Bal Swan Children’s Center; and Dawn Alexander, Executive Director of the Early Childhood Education Association of Colorado. Both Diana and Dawn share their roles in the new department transition process and discuss some of the issues that have arisen as advisory groups and subcommittees work to establish an early childhood system that creates the best outcomes for young children. With the new department, Colorado has a chance to set a national trend for early childhood, and we are looking forward to exploring the possibilities and milestones that take place along the way. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more episodes highlighting this exciting process. To learn more about the new Department of Early Childhood, click here.

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After over 600 bills, the 2021 Colorado legislative session ends with massive wins for kids and families Jun 11, 2021

Although the 2021 legislative session felt like one of the longest to date, it ushered in tremendous progress for kids and families in Colorado. This session not only forced many to recognize the numerous cracks in our society exposed by the pandemic, it also led to the start of removing the many barriers that created those systemic issues in the first place. The Colorado Children’s Campaign saw a number of legislative wins across the health, early childhood, and K-12 front—but there is still so much more to be done. As we move toward post-pandemic recovery, we are excited to continue our work in realizing every chance for every child in Colorado.

In the last episode of season 3, we are joined by Riley Kitts, Government Affairs Director at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, for a final wrap up of the 2021 legislative session. Riley details the politics and policies of this session, including the many ways in which our state has begun to reinvest in the programs that lost revenue as a result of the pandemic. Riley also provides a brief overview of some of the most impactful policy wins we saw for kids this session, as well as the opportunity we have in 2022 to continue working toward legislation that creates the best possible outcome for all children. While the 2021 legislative session was only the beginning of what is to come in the future, it was undoubtedly a big step in creating a better Colorado for all kids and families.

Want to stay plugged in to the Colorado Children’s Campaign until next season? Stay up to date on the latest child well-being news by subscribing to our KidsFlash blog.

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Colorado Supreme Court issues affirmative ruling on a bill to fix our K-12 property tax system and here is what you need to know May 28, 2021

For years, the level of funding for Colorado schools has been largely dependent on property wealth. This is primarily an unintended result of how Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) amendment, which restricted the amount of revenue the state collected and spent, was implemented. Over time, this has created enormous inequities in the way our state collects and spends money in school districts. However, the Colorado Supreme Court recently issued a decision that will change this.

Leslie Colwell, VP of Education Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, returns to The West Steps to discuss the exciting decision made this past Monday that will allow the legislature to begin correcting this longstanding issue. The passage of HB 1164 and the Supreme Court ruling that the proposed plan to waive TABOR limits is constitutional both will address a key structural problem in our revenue system for public schools. While these changes will take place over time, they will eventually result in $290 million dollars of funding for districts. This monumental decision comes after years of dedicated work and advocacy, and will hopefully lead to more targeted investments in our schools. As this transition takes place, we need you – our advocates – to speak up on behalf of your children, schools, and communities in order to ensure these funds are allocated in a manner that best prioritizes the needs of Colorado’s students. To read more about the recent Supreme Court decision, click here.

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What we get wrong about maternal behavioral health May 21, 2021

The health of a child is completely dependent on the health of their parent or caregiver. That is why quality, affordable behavioral health services play a critical role in creating strong families, especially during the perinatal period. However, lack of support, inaccessible services, and systemic racism have all contributed to the rising rate of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. As out state moves toward recovery from the pandemic, creating programs that address the many disparities in our maternal health system is more important than ever for ensuring families can thrive.

Episode 15 of The West Steps welcomes a number of guests to the podcast. Erin Miller, VP of Health Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign; Karla Gonzales Garcia, Policy Director at COLOR; Kelly Steinback-Tracy, Perinatal/Infant Mental Health Specialist at Denver Public Health; and Dr. Stephen Scott, OB/GYN at University of Colorado Hospital, all bring a vast array of experiences and knowledge to our discussion of maternal behavior health. Our guests provide an overview of what exactly maternal behavioral health services look like in Colorado, as well as the numerous structural barriers that make it difficult to access. Although the pandemic created additional obstacles to accessing these services, the 2021 legislative session proves to be an exciting time for maternal behavioral health. Senate Bills 27 and 137 are just two policies among many that could have an enormous impact on maternal behavioral health in our state. For more information on ways to stay engaged in moving this work forward, visit Colorado Maternal Mental Health Framework and Collaborative.

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Colorado reimagines early childhood education with a new state agency May 14, 2021

High quality, accessible child care is not only necessary for helping young children thrive, but also for creating a strong and stable economy. In Colorado, our early childhood system remains fragmented and difficult to maneuver for both families and providers. Along with that, quality, availability, and cost of these services make it difficult for our providers to support families in the best way possible. These issues were only exacerbated by the pandemic, as many child care centers were forced to close their doors due to lack of funding. However, this economic fallout has led many Coloradans to finally recognize child care services as a critical part of our communities that demands the attention of our policymakers. In order to help lay a strong foundation for children's later learning and achievement, we must work towards improving and investing in our early childhood system.

Diane Price, President and CEO of Early Connections Learning Centers in Colorado Springs, joins us for episode 14 as we discuss the historic changes happening with early childhood in our state. After years of demanding our state government show more commitment to early care and education, Colorado is finally moving toward fixing this broken system with the introduction of HB 1304. This bill would create a new cabinet-level state agency that consolidates the various early childhood authorities, programs, and funding streams, and focuses on a unified vision of comprehensive early childhood service delivery for all children. If passed, the bill would result in momentous change for kids and families across the state. Join us in advocating for HB 1304, and we can establish a truly unified system that lifts up early childhood to the importance it deserves.

To learn more about HB 1304, visit our new microsite.

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Colorado Public Option Health Benefit Plan Breakdown May 07, 2021

Lack of quality, affordable health insurance has the potential to create a vicious cycle of medical and financial strain for families. While more than 50 percent of Coloradans have health insurance through an employer, our state has experienced an increase in the number of individuals struggling to balance payments between medical bills, rent, and food. Along with that, longstanding systemic racism in our health care system has exacerbated health care coverage inequities among families of color. Now is the time to establish a system that pushes back against the rising cost of health insurance and eliminates inequities that continue to create negative outcomes for kids and families. The benefits of health care coverage for kids and families are enormous, and include increased high school completion rates, reduced evictions, decreased depression, and reduced maternal, infant and child mortality rates. These benefits, along with many others, make it critical for Coloradans to have access to quality, affordable health care.

Episode 13 of The West Steps dives into the complicated nature of health insurance access in our state. Adam Fox, Deputy Director of Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI); and Erin Miller, Vice President of Health Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, discuss the current health care landscape and the many complexities built into it. They also explain why America's past and current “free market” approach to health insurance makes it impossible to provide cost effective coverage for all. House Bill 1232 hopes to change this. The bill specifically focuses the health care system in Colorado on better meeting the needs of those who have historically and systemically faced barriers to health. By implementing a standardized health plan, it will reduce expenses, make it easier for consumers to compare plans, and improve coverage for perinatal, behavioral, and primary health services. Contact your state legislator today and urge them to support policies like HB 1232 that create quality, affordable health care for all.

Vist CCHI for more information.

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Birth equity takes center stage Apr 30, 2021

The U.S spends more on maternal care than any other country in the world, and yet, we have worse outcomes than any other developed nation. Racism and structural issues within our health care system are just two of the many contributing factors to the rising maternal mortality rate in our country. The longstanding dehumanization experienced by Black and indigenous women when giving birth has led to mortality rates that are 2-3 times higher than white women. Additionally, the many stigmas surrounding women of color and women with low incomes continue to significantly impact the overall quality of care they receive throughout the perinatal period. Not only do these issues demand a deeper look at the structure of our health care systems, but they also call for a dismantling of the systemic racism that continues to have a detrimental impact on the lives of kids and families across the country.

In episode 12 of The West Steps, we are joined by Christina Yebuah, Research and Policy Analyst at Colorado Center on Law and Policy; Heather Thompson, Deputy Director of Elephant Circle; and Vita Malama, a writer and researcher for Elephant Circle, for the podcast’s first-ever discussion of birth equity in Colorado. Our guests explain some of the alarming maternal health inequities that exist in our state, as well as the way racism directly impacts outcomes in the perinatal period. These issues demand multifaceted solutions from our policymakers, health care providers, and advocates in order to help combat the increasing rate of maternal mortality. The small steps we take today can lead to more equitable solutions in the future.

Reach out to your elected officials and urge them to prioritize birth equity this legislative session. Visit Elephant Circle for more information on advocacy, updates on birth equity bills, and to engage with their upcoming virtual event on May 13.

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What you have always wanted to know about diapers Apr 23, 2021

When families can’t afford diapers, it impacts more than just their child’s health and well-being. Not having enough diapers can result in maternal depression, prevent families from accessing child care, and ultimately leads to stress and shame for parents who are unable to provide this crucial need for their child. Prior to the pandemic, 1 in 3 families in America did not have enough diapers for their children. In Colorado, this equated to roughly 60-70,000 infants and toddlers. Diapers are a basic need and should be treated as such, making it more important than ever to invest in state and federal programs that address this issue.

In episode 11 of The West Steps, we welcome Kristen Seidel, Board Secretary for the Women’s Lobby of Colorado; Lindsey Zaback, Director of Programs, Outreach and Engagement at WeeCycle; and Riley Kitts, Government Affairs Director for the Colorado Children’s Campaign. Our discussion focuses on an often-overlooked issue that is increasingly impacting families—access to diapers. Diaper access is more than just a basic need, it is also an equity issue. Programs such as WIC and SNAP do not cover diapering products, often resulting in parents having to reuse disposable diapers or use plastic bags and toilet paper instead. With families in Colorado facing an even greater need for diapers as a result of the pandemic, It is critical to advocate for legislation that seeks to address this problem.

SB 027 would provide funding to nonprofit organizations across the state that would allow these organizations to distribute diapers to families in their communities. With this bill currently sitting in the Senate Appropriations Committee, there are still ways you can help. Contact your elected official today and advocate for this bill, and ultimately, the thousands of families experiencing diaper need.

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What’s been happening at the Capitol? Apr 16, 2021

We may only be halfway through the legislative session, but so much has already happened for kids and families at the Capitol. Things are starting to feel normal again as more in-person meetings take place and many state programs cut last year have been restored. Along with that, the state budget has seen an increase as Colorado receives an influx of federal funding from the recent stimulus package. With over 500 bills already introduced, the future is looking bright as we begin on our path to post-pandemic recovery.

Riley Kitts, Government Affairs Director for the Colorado Children’s Campaign, makes his return to the West Steps for an exciting update on all things at the Capitol. We hear about the state of the Children’s Campaign's priority bills and successes in areas such as family planning, child care, and school finance. Riley details the current status of the Long Bill, as well as the many policy priorities we can look forward to in the second half of the legislative session. Each week during sessions of the Colorado General Assembly, we bring you the latest news of legislation impacting the early development, health, and education of Colorado kids. Visit our Capitol Updates page for analysis, testimony, fact sheets, vote totals, and other information to help you stay informed.

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How Colorado’s racist laws targeting immigrants are harming everyone Apr 09, 2021

Harmful, racist policies not only intentionally target members of our community, they also bleed into the workings of our everyday culture, creating invisible barriers that prevent people from living their fullest lives. In 2006, Colorado passed three laws that established greater barriers for immigrants and consequently fueled anti-immigrant sentiment in our state and nation. The passage of SB 1023, 90, and HB 1009 instituted a failed patchwork of state and local policies that continue to threaten kids and families every day. The 2006 laws go beyond existing federal law and ultimately harm all members of our communities by driving down wages, impeding individuals’ rights to make an adequate living and threatening public health by barring individuals from utilizing basic benefits. Barriers to public services and quality child care lead to poor health outcomes, increased learning gaps, and lower wages over a child’s lifetime.

Episode 9 of The West Steps provides more background on these bills and the way they continue to impact our state. We are joined by Maggie Gómez, Deputy Director at the Center for Health Progress, and Lorena Garcia, Executive Director of the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition. Maggie and Lorena describe the impacts of these bills, as well as current efforts taking place to implement policy that provides undocumented individuals with the support they need. This legislative session, policymakers have the opportunity to expand access to economic opportunity and give local communities the authority to support our immigrant and undocumented neighbors through the passage of SB 199. While one bill won’t solve everything, it is one step toward creating more inclusive, equitable communities where all kids and families have the chance to thrive.

To read more about SB 199 bill and its journey through the legislature, click here.

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Statewide assessments--what are they and why should we talk more about them? Apr 02, 2021

Data tell stories, and by understanding those stories, we can become better advocates for kids and families. But what happens when that data is not available? The onset of the pandemic has prevented educators, policymakers, and community leaders from accessing fully comprehensive data regarding how kids are doing in their classes. With students’ lives being turned upside down this past year, assessment data has become more important than ever in quantifying how exactly the pandemic has impacted student learning. By recognizing that assessments should be viewed as a point of census--and not a point of stigma--we can create stronger K-12 systems that provide the necessary support and resources students need as they return to the classroom.

This episode introduces one of the most highly misunderstood topics in education. Stephanie Perez-Carrillo joins us for our fist discussion of assessments this season, and sets the parameters for what we should know about these tests, and how they impact kids and families. Stephanie emphasizes the current opportunity we have in reframing assessment data to meet the moment in creating more equitable K-12 systems for students and educators. As a vital tool for ensuring kids have access to the support they need, assessments ultimately serve as the beginning of a solution that will provide every chance for every child.

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Solving our school funding formula Mar 26, 2021

In a time when students’ needs are only increasing, school funding is more important than ever. Currently, the level of funding for schools in Colorado depends largely on property wealth. This is primarily an unintended result of how Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) amendment, which restricted the amount of revenue the state collected and spent, was implemented. Over time, this has created enormous inequities in the way our state collects and spends money in school districts. The pandemic has only widened these inequities and led to more budget cuts, making this a critical issue in our current legislative session.

Our school funding formula is undoubtedly complex. However, Leslie Colwell joins us in episode 7 to help answer all our questions. In this week’s discussion on The West Steps, Leslie simplifies the structural factors that have compounded over time to create our highly inequitable school funding system. Join us for an informative overview of the current issues facing school funding, how they came to be, and the proposed bill that could begin to correct this issue. Students deserve access to high quality education no matter where they live, making it especially important to continue advocating for bills such as this one in order to ensure all students benefit from state funding.

To read more about this bill and its journey through the legislature, click here.

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Let’s talk tax policy, but make it fun! Mar 19, 2021

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) are the two most effective tools we have to lift children out of poverty. But what are they, exactly? In summary, these tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the income tax someone owes to the federal or state government. By either reducing the amount of money owed or providing refundable credits, these tax programs create lifelong benefits for kids and families. Currently, tax code in Colorado is highly inequitable and often benefits those who do not need it. By advocating for an expansion of EITC and CTC this legislative session, we can take one step toward more equitable access for those who need it most.

Sarah Barnes and Esther Turcios break down these two highly beneficial tax codes in episode 6 of The West Steps. After providing an overview of both the EITC and CTC, Sarah and Esther detail current opportunities for expansion at the state level, and recent changes at the federal level. By centering equity in tax policy, we can begin to dismantle the racist roots of our tax code and use tax dollars in a more broadly beneficial way. Interested in being a part of the conversation? Click here to find ways to support and engage with the Colorado Fiscal Institute and their current tax policy initiatives.

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The state of reproductive justice in Colorado Mar 12, 2021

Kids exist in the context of their families, which is why it is especially important for our state and federal government to strive towards a well-funded, holistic, systems-based approach to health care and family planning access. The current patchwork system of family planning services in Colorado is not only inequitable and underfunded, but also demonstrates the negative impacts of racism in our country and the way it excludes women-- especially women of color and women with low incomes-- in accessing adequate health care. When we don’t create programs that are accessible for all, we fail our kids and families. The current issues our state faces in establishing efficient family planning access demands policymakers to take a human-centered approach in creating navigable paths to accessibility for all.

In episode 5 of The West Steps, we welcome three guests for a detailed explanation of Colorado’s current family planning system and the many inequities that continue to exist within it. Erin Miller, Jack Teter, and Karla Gonzales Garcia bring their knowledge and experiences to a conversation surrounding the lack of accessibility in family planning services and the potential solutions we could expect to see as a result of the current legislation. While family planning services are often viewed as complex issues, Erin, Jack, and Karla help bring listeners to a greater understanding of the ways in which these services should be established as an embodiment of reproductive justice supporting individuals in their right to bodily autonomy.

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What is advocacy and why should you care? Mar 05, 2021

Legislators often don’t hear from those most affected by the policies they choose to support. However, by sharing our personal stories, concerns, and experiences, we can be advocates for ourselves and our communities. As the pandemic continues to affect kids and families across the nation, it is more important than ever to speak up for the issues impacting those around us—and it doesn't’ take much to get started. A simple phone call to your legislator or email to an organization that works on issues you care about is all it takes to do your part on behalf of your community. So, what are you waiting for? Speak up today!

Jacy Montoya Price, Advocacy Director for the Colorado Children’s Campaign; and Christina Walker, Directory of Policy and Advocacy at Clayton Early Learning Center, are both strong believers in the importance of getting people’s voices heard. In episode 4 of The West Steps, we are joined by both Jacy and Christina in discussing the basics of advocacy, how to overcome intimidation when addressing policymakers, and what steps listeners can take to become advocates in their community. Interested in learning more? Join us for our 10th annual Speak up for Kids Day at the Capitol on March 18. Take the first step in becoming a more effective advocate for kids by registering here.

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Hunger reaches an all-time high in Colorado Mar 02, 2021

While food is a basic necessity we need to live and survive, it is so much more than that when considering a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. One in seven Colorado kids faced hunger before the pandemic, and this number has only worsened in the past year. Approximately 38 percent of Coloradans are food insecure, the greatest rate since the Great Depression. The economic downturn caused by the pandemic has left many parents struggling to put food on the table, and this issue continues to persist as many remain unemployed. Nourishing meals are essential for kids to thrive, and it is critical that legislators, community organizations, and school districts continue to work toward providing students with access to food throughout the pandemic.

In the third episode of The West Steps’ third season, Stephanie Perez-Carrillo provides an overview of the concerns and consequences of food insecurity in Colorado. The compounding issues children have faced as a result of hunger during the pandemic are immeasurable and have the potential to affect them in ways beyond just their physical health. To learn more about the resources available for those living in hunger, or to find ways you can help, visit:

Colorado Food Finder: https://www.cofoodfinder.org/

Colorado PEAK (to check eligibility): https://coloradopeak.secure.force.com/

Hunger Free Colorado Food Resource Hotline: https://www.hungerfreecolorado.org/food-resource-hotline/

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What is happening with child care in Colorado? Feb 19, 2021

The coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated the adage “everyone relies on someone who relies on child care” is more true than ever. Both our emergency response and economic recovery hinge on child care. When our essential workforce lacks access to child care, staffing shortages in health care, food service, agriculture, and emergency response are likely. But our child care providers have worked diligently to remain open, safely, throughout the pandemic so that parents can work and children can benefit from stimulating early care and learning environments. Similarly, Colorado’s economic recovery will hinge on ensuring people can get back to work. Access to child care is a necessary work support and disruptions in care arrangements or inability to find child care disproportionately harms workforce participation among women and people of color. Unfortunately, the higher costs of operation, the reduced revenue due to payment policies tied to child attendance, and low levels of public investment have pushed the child care industry to the brink. Many providers are struggling to keep their doors open and, sadly, many have closed their doors permanently.

This week on The West Steps, we are joined by Bill Jaeger and Melissa Mares, who discuss the need for a more accessible systems approach to early child care. Want to learn more about ways you can engage and advocate for better early child care and education in Colorado? contact Melissa (melissa@coloradokids.org) or Bill (bill@coloradokids.org) for more information.
Subscribe to our KidsFlash newsletter here. You can also keep up with our update of al the bills on child care and early childhood here

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The Colorado General Assembly is back-- so are we Jan 15, 2021

Welcome back to The West Steps. Season 3 kicks off with a conversation of the 2021 legislative session and the new power dynamics, opportunities, and obstacles accompanying political affairs in the midst of a global pandemic. Riley Kitts, Government Affairs Director, joins us on episode one for an informative overview of the current state of politics in Colorado, and ways in which Coloradans can take action to improve the lives of kids across the state.

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Returning to child care in a pandemic Jun 12, 2020

Opening a child care center is hard enough in normal times. But with the economic and health crisis of COVID-19, starting a care center becomes truly monumental task. This week on The West Steps, our special guest takes us through the challenges and barriers child care providers face in the time of the coronavirus.

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Our individual actions to ensure Black Lives Matter Jun 05, 2020

“Everything we see we have designed. And everything we see, we can redesign.” At the Children’s Campaign we work every day on changing systems to be more just. But we are also a group of individuals taking individual steps to move our communities toward racial justice. We are in the fight for the Black Lives Matter movement to ensure our collective liberation. We offer these reflections on our journey toward racial justice to inspire others to find a way to join us.

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Digital divide erodes to new depths during pandemic May 22, 2020

Kids of all ages, geographies and backgrounds use the Internet. They have smart phones and get online whenever and wherever they can—except at home. Limited or no broadband Internet access in the home i challenging for many families right now who are trying to educate their kids remotely. Colorado data show that children of color are more likely to live in homes without internet access or with limited access, and this inequity is likely to impact academic performance. Erica Manoatl and Stephanie Perez-Carrillo join us to explore the research, problems and solutions around Colorado’s digital divide, which is getting new attention in the age of COVID-19.

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From flush to flat broke in two months May 08, 2020

A few months ago, state legislators had a budget surplus and plans to improve public systems for children and families. Now they are faced with at least a $3 billion shortfall and the awful task of making deep cuts to critical services—and in a hurry. Riley Kitts joins us to preview the massive tasks legislators face in the next few weeks to build a new budget that starts July 1. Advocates need to speak up to ensure cuts are targeted and as equitable as possible—and that could be the foundation of massive and innovative renovation of the systems that ensure health, education, safety and family economic security.

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The humans behind the KIDS COUNT numbers May 01, 2020

The humans who pull all the data and research together each year for our KIDS COUNT in Colorado! data book join us this week to remind us how these numbers represent actual Coloradans and their experiences. Pre-pandemic data collected in the 2020 edition released this weekare an important check-up on our public systems and the state of child well-being as Colorado leaders respond to this health crisis and build a recovery plan for the years ahead. This year’s edition also digs into the current state of preschool in Colorado and the opportunities ahead to ensure more kids have access.

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When policy collides with the personal in the delivery room Apr 24, 2020

Katrina Little, a labor and delivery nurse and advocate for birthing mothers, joins our own Jacy Montoya Price and Samantha Espinoza to explore shifting rules in labor and delivery during the coronavirus pandemic. New guidelines restricting the number of birthing supporters, like partners and doulas, allowed in a room could impact some pregnant people differently depending on their race. Disproportionate access to health care and higher rates of chronic conditions are a few factors that drive people of color to have their own birthing support in the delivery room. As the pandemic continues, advocates worry that we will see more unnecessary birth complications, and even deaths.

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Tenuous connections to food Apr 17, 2020

Food security was already elusive for many Colorado kids and families. Then as the COVID-19 pandemic washed over our communities those tenuous connections to food sources were suddenly and dramatically broken. In the past few weeks, advocates, providers and governments mobilized quickly to pass emergency waivers, reconfigure systems and reach out to the growing number of unemployed and hungry families. Stephanie Perez-Carrillo joins us this week to explore the need, the response and the opportunities to speak up and help our families.

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Nothing has ever been studied so quickly—and we are still in the dark Apr 10, 2020

Coloradans who fall ill during the early days of this pandemic are left in the dark without access to testing for COVID-19, including our own VP for Health Initiatives Erin Miller. As she tracked testing capacity and treatment for the disease caused by Coronavirus, her own family had to wonder about fevers, health, and quarantine without access to testing. The pandemic has illuminated the weaknesses in our health insurance and family economic security systems. Erin explains where we are at right now, and what we might expect in the days ahead as the health sector races to study and respond to the disease.

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Voices from the inside Apr 03, 2020

Coloradans share their experiences during the first few weeks of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic—in their own voices. Legislators, child care providers, advocates, expecting parents and more sent us voice memos to share their thoughts, emotions and inspirations as we all struggle with a new normal that is uncertain and grounding at the same time.

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The census is too important to be stopped by a pandemic Mar 27, 2020

Invitations to complete the 2020 Census hit mailboxes at the same time the coronavirus was spreading across the nation. This crisis could significantly impact the counting of every Coloradan, and our state could be severely hurt by an undercount for years to come. Sarah Hughes joins us to share the good news that we can all complete our forms online from the safety of our social isolation. The Census Bureau has extended the timeline to complete it—we have until Aug. 14 now—but advocates can help now by making sure everyone knows that every baby, child and adult should be counted right now.

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Preventing the collapse of child care in Colorado Mar 20, 2020

Child care and early childhood education systems are on the verge of collapsing in Colorado as families self-isolate and child care providers close. Alle providers run on tuition and attendance-based revenue from governments. With no payments and very thin margins, many providers report that they are in danger of closing permanently--at a time when essential workers like medical staff need them. Advocates and policymakers are working on emergency solutions to ensure essential personnel can sign up for child care and providers can offer space and workers to provide it. A website to make those connections, www.covidchildcarecolorado.com, was launched in just a few days.

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Public health is invisible—until things go wrong Mar 13, 2020

Weaknesses in our public health system driven by chronic underfunding are being exposed as the coronavirus spreads in our communities. Glen Mayes, professor of health systems, management and policy at the Colorado School of Public Health, joins us to examine the shocks being sent through our communities during this outbreak, what we can do now to support Coloradans, and what needs to be done to support and rebuild these critical public health functions. Dr. Mays also helps us understand the virus, the response and where to go for reliable information (hint: your local public health agency).

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Time to Eat Mar 06, 2020

A survey of Colorado students, parents and school administrators found that kids don’t have enough time to eat their lunch during the school day. Being rushed to eat to get back to learning means children aren’t eating enough to sustain them through the day, food is wasted, kids eat to quickly and risk forming unhealthy habits, and more. As a simple human need—eating—can have complex impacts on learning, behavior and development. Researchers from the Colorado Children’s Campaign, in partnership with anti-hunger advocates around the state, offer potential solutions for policy makers in a new issue brief, “Time to Eat: An Emerging Consideration for School Lunch Delivery and the Nutrition of Colorado’s Students.” Read the brief here.

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Pulse check on the legislative session Feb 28, 2020

Government Affairs Director Riley Kitts returns to debrief the status of the 2020 legislative session as we approach the halfway mark next week. Several great bills for kids have cleared first hurdles and are waiting for budget talks in a few weeks for funding. A few surprises have popped up this session that have caused very late night, and we are hearing of big issues coming up that advocates should know about.

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Student voices for school finance reform Feb 21, 2020

High school students from around the state rallied in Denver this week to tell legislators about their experiences with Colorado’s dysfunctional school finance system—and the impact it has had on their education. Advocates with the Colorado Youth Congress joined us to share how their experiences have been shaped by our uneven and inequitable school finance system. From mental health support to teacher salaries, the effects are far-ranging and significant. And they have big, ambitious plans to change it.

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A bridge to families in extreme poverty Feb 14, 2020

Sen. Rhonda Fields joins us to explore a simple and significant way to help Colorado families living in extreme poverty--below $12,000 a year in annual income for a family of four. Legislators are considering a bill that would increase temporary Basic Cash Assistance in response to the significant increased costs of housing and other needs in Colorado, and add an annual cost of living increase. With 65,000 children living in extreme poverty in Colorado, this assistance helps balance out the negative effects of the stress and trauma of living in poverty. Visit CWEE here and sign up for our newsletter here.

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Not every child has the choice to vaccinate Feb 07, 2020

A doctor and a parent join us this week to tell us what's at stake when vaccination rates among children get too low. Kids with medical issues like cancer aren't able to be vaccinated and exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases could lead to death. With vaccine rates in Colorado schools dangerously low, we explore a proposal legislators will hear this session to boost those rates to protect kids.

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Are pediatricians the key to maternal mental health? Jan 31, 2020

New parents go to the doctor sometimes monthly—for rarely for themselves. In the critical and hectic early days with a newborn, new moms haul babies in for regular well-child checkups, but rarely access the mental health services they need to be the best parent they can be for their babies. Pediatricians can help mothers with straight-forward and simple questions about how they are doing, and in the process identify what are normal sleep deprived feelings and when it is something more. Next week legislators will consider a budget request to allow for more of these screenings. Erin Miller, Vice President of Health Initiatives, drops by to help us understand why this is good for Colorado kids and families.

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Little brains with big needs Jan 24, 2020

Every adult can play an important role in supporting the mental health of kids—especially in the earliest years. But sometimes teachers and parents need help figuring out how to address those unique needs. Sarah Davidon of Mental Health Colorado joins us to explore this issue and share an innovative solution that legislators will consider this session to connect early educators with experts to design systems to address and prevent mental health issues in the early years.

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Working parents can’t work without early childhood workers Jan 17, 2020

Coloradans know child care is expensive and hard to find. There are a lot of reasons—and solutions—for this. One that is rarely discussed is the workforce in early care and education. Working parents rely on these educators every day to be able to get to their own jobs, yet early childhood workers are among the lowest paid in our workforce and turnover is frequent. Bill Jaeger returns to the podcast to explore a package of solutions that lawmakers will consider soon.

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J.V. Congress returns to Denver Jan 10, 2020

The Colorado General Assembly came back to the marble halls of the Capitol this week for the second session with the current crop of lawmakers. Riley Kitts, our Government Affairs Director, has talked to nearly everyone in the building this week and has insights on a few transitions, a few dramas, and a whole lot of policy priorities that could have a big impact on Colorado kids and families.

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Prop CC explained, with Speaker KC Becker Oct 11, 2019

K.C. Becker, Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, joins us in our studios to explain how a yes vote on Prop CC this November would allow Colorado communities and families to share in our rapid economic expansion. K12 schools, transportation and higher education would benefit from increased public investments—without raising taxes. Listen in to understand how Proposition CC would mirror votes that most Colorado communities have already passed.

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The West Steps Live at our Annual Luncheon 2019 Sep 20, 2019

Last week, Myra Jones-Taylor inspired and challenged a room full of dedicated children’s advocates to “make good on the promise of our field” at our 2019 Annual Luncheon. We also recorded the first-ever episode of The West Steps! Our CEO and President Kelly Causey breaks down how the Colorado Children’s Campaign makes its policy agenda and how employing an equity lens has impacts the charge to make every chance possible for every child.

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The West Steps: Behind the scenes in investigating maternal deaths Aug 30, 2019

What happens after a bill becomes a law? In the case of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee legislation, a whole lot. Shivani Bhatia, Maternal Health Coordinator for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, joins us to reveal all the gears set in motion in the past few months to reduce maternal mortality in Colorado. To learn more about our maternal mortality prevention program and to access data reports, see CDPHE website here. Access materials from their public awareness campaign in English and Spanish, and learn more about the campaign here. Learn about statewide collaboration to address maternal mental health here. Folks who are interested in receiving information about upcoming maternal mortality prevention stakeholder events, to be held in early 2020, can email preventmaternalmortality@state.co.us.

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A Network for Kids Jun 20, 2019

Our summer episode of The West Steps includes the diverse voices of leaders in our statewide It’s About Kids Network. Each year we gather with them at a two-day retreat to examine progress for kids during the legislative session. Then we explore issues facing kids in leaders’ communities to kick off the next year of policy advocacy for Colorado children. Hear Network Manager Katie Creedon and a few leaders explain the power of the network.

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Real results for kids May 10, 2019

We go deep into what really happened under the Gold Dome for our official season finale (expect special editions throughout the summer). Riley Kitts spent hundreds of hours this session lobbying legislators and advancing Children’s Campaign priority legislation. Hear his insights on what really went down, including a look at all the maneuvers and shenanigans at the end—and he reviews the successful legislation that will support Colorado children and families.

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100 votes for moms May 03, 2019

Bills to provide dental benefits to pregnant women and fight trends in maternal deaths have failed in recent years. In the past few weeks, both proposals—and many others—have successfully passed the legislature. One even had the unanimous support of all 100 Colorado legislators. What happened? Erin Miller, VP of Health Initiatives, joins us to discuss the shifts in media, advocacy and community-led policy change that are driving big wins for mothers and babies.

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Family planning is future planning Apr 26, 2019

One of the biggest public health successes in Colorado in the past decade has been the drastic drop in the teen pregnancy rate. We examine barriers that remain—and new obstacles at the federal level. Join Erin Miller, Vice President of Health Initiatives, and Samantha Espinoza, Policy Analyst, to explore how preventing unplanned pregnancies and ensuring teens have access to comprehensive sexual education result in better outcomes for kids.

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Where credit is due Apr 19, 2019

There’s no time like tax season to better understand how advocates use our federal and state tax codes to remove barriers to financial security for Colorado families. Bill Jaeger joins us to explore the pros and cons of tax credits —and spell out what they mean for state and family budgets. These are the things TurboTax doesn’t explain.

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The largest mobilization of our federal government other than war Apr 11, 2019

The U.S. Constitution requires an “enumeration” of every person living here every 10 years. It takes you a few minutes to fill out your census form, but it takes our federal government a full decade to gear up to count us all. Everyone—especially young children—need to be counted to ensure our political, financial, social and government systems are equally applied across our country. Listen in as our VP for Research Initiatives, Sarah Hughes, blows your mind with the scale, significance and high stakes of the 2020 Census.

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How to spend $30 billion Apr 04, 2019

Our Government Affairs Director, Riley Kitts, explains how six people decide to spend Colorado’s entire $30 billion public budget in one year. You’ll be surprised about how long it takes for the “long bill” to come together, and some of the maneuvers legislators attempt to steer money to their priorities. It’s the one single bill that legislators are required to pass and many other bills are dependent on it. It moves fast, and a lot is on the line in the few intense days it is being debated.

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The funded non-mandate Mar 28, 2019

Advocates and legislators in favor of full-day kindergarten have secured $185 million to ensure every child who wants it can access a full day of the foundation year in their K-12 education. Now that the money is secured, advocates still need to pass a bill through the legislature—and that begins April 9 with the first hearing. Bill Jaeger comes back to bring us up to date on this endeavor, and how you can get involved to get it across the finish line.

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The experience of speaking up Mar 21, 2019

Go behind the scenes of our advocacy day, Speak Up For Kids, and hear directly from advocates as they navigate the marble halls of the Colorado State Capitol looking for legislators to lobby. Their experience may surprise you, and make you think about how much power your story has.

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The solutions to child poverty are sitting on legislators’ desks Mar 14, 2019

We know how many Colorado children live in poverty, and what causes family economic security. Sarah Barnes, Manager of Special Policy Initiatives, joins us to illuminate some of the emerging policy solutions to childhood poverty. From child tax credits to housing security, these solutions are innovative and possible–if legislators can find the political will to move them forward.

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Why some children are criminalized, and some forgiven Mar 07, 2019

Educators and child behavior expert, Dr. Rosemarie Allen, joins us this week to explore the racial disparities in decisions to remove young children from school. Young black children and boys are much more likely to be suspended and expelled for similar behaviors as their peers. Dr. Allen shares her years of research—rooted in her own experience of being pushed out of school repeatedly at a young age. A bill before Colorado legislators would ensure young children are able to stay in the classroom, and help educators get more support to serve every child in the classroom.

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The heart of advocacy Feb 28, 2019

In-person advocacy is the most effective way to make change, but it can also be the most intimidating. Advocacy Manger Jacy Montoya Price shares with us how the real and authentic experiences of Coloradans can have the biggest impact on legislators and policymaking. She brings us into the Capitol to explore how joining coalitions, delivering testimony, and talking directly with legislators is the core of making change for Colorado kids and families.

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Unpacking school lunch (policy) Feb 21, 2019

Stephanie Perez-Carrillo joins us to unpack the complicated layers of policy that make it hard for some low-income high school kids to get a school lunch in Colorado without going into debt. Fortunately, one answer to this problem is innovative—and is gaining traction among members of the Colorado General Assembly. Stephanie’s expertise in this area comes from her deep analysis of this issue, and from her days as a middle school classroom teacher who bought food for hungry kids so they could learn.

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What it takes to testify Feb 14, 2019

This week survivors and family of unnecessary deaths of new mothers join Beza Taddess to recount their tearful testimony before legislators. Amanda Curtis of Fort Collins, a survivor of a near-death childbirth experience, and Adele Marshall, a Colorado Springs mother who lost her daughter and grandson in childbirth, share why they decided to speak up and what it was like to share their stories at the Capitol—and turn their pain in to power in the process.

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The short explanation of The Long Bill Feb 07, 2019

Riley Kitts returns to updates us on the lightening progress of proposed legislation impacting kids, and demystifies the budget blueprint that legislators will be putting together in the coming weeks. Also known as The Long Bill, this spending outline lays out how Colorado will spend $29 billion in the next year. Understanding how this works is a critical part of ensuring Colorado is investing in kids.

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The layers of school finance dysfunction explained Jan 31, 2019

This week on The West Steps we untangle school finance in Colorado. It starts in an unexpected place: huge variations in local property tax rates that no Coloradan has ever voted on or had a say in. We’re not just talking about local decisions by voters to raise money for school technology or special programs. The problem goes deeper than you think—but there is a potential solution. Listen in with Leslie Colwell, our Vice President of K-12 Education Initiatives, as we go into the ultimate explanation of our dysfunctional school finance.

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The mystery of maternal mortality in Colorado Jan 24, 2019

In Episode 3 we dive into a mysterious rise in maternal mortality in Colorado in recent years with Erin Miller, Vice President of Health Initiatives at the Colorado Children’s Campaign. We have a shared responsibility to foster the human potential that lies within our mothers and children, which begins with understanding why deaths among Colorado’s pregnant and postpartum population has nearly doubled since 2008. There’s a common-sense solution that will help Colorado get to the bottom of it.

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The unexpected benefits of full-day kindergarten with Bill Jaeger Jan 16, 2019

This week we sat down to talk to our Vice President of Early Childhood and Policy Initiatives about Colorado’s ambitious plan to provide full-day kindergarten to all Colorado kids. We were surprised what we didn’t know about this long-time priority of educators and advocates. Bill explained how Gov. Jared Polis’ budget proposal would fully fund full-day kindergarten and expand preschool significantly throughout the state, all within existing tax revenue due to the strong economy. We also learned some surprising things about how full-day K would impact child care, school districts and more. What would funding full day-kindergarten mean for Colorado?

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Introducing The West Steps with Riley Kitts Jan 09, 2019

The West Steps of the Colorado State Capitol belong to advocates. Yes, tourists stop by to take selfies with the “mile high” marker and politicians often make speeches there. But the rest of the year it is the domain of activists. The people who rally there demand changes in our laws, society and culture. It is where policymaking meets the public.
We’ve named our new podcast “The West Steps” because it embodies our goals for this new medium: A way for the public to learn about policymaking. Our aim is to not just explain how ideas become laws, but to entirely demystify the process so that you can engage in it. Join us on The West Steps each week as dive into the politics and policymaking impacting Coloradans—especially kids.
In our first episode, you’ll hear from our Government Affairs Director Riley Kitts.

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