The West Steps

Latest Episodes:

Pulse check on the legislative session Feb 28, 2020

Show notes

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.

Support the show

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

Student voices for school finance reform Feb 21, 2020

Show notes

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.

Support the show

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

A bridge to families in extreme poverty Feb 14, 2020

Show notes

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.

Support the show

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

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

Show notes

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.

Support the show

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

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

Show notes

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.

Support the show

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

Little brains with big needs Jan 24, 2020

Show notes

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.

Support the show

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

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

Show notes

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.

Support the show

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

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

Show notes

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.

Support the show

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

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

Show notes

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.

Support the show

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

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

Show notes

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.

Support the show

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected