CCF mourns Kip Tokuda’s Passing

CCF mourns the passing of Kip Tokuda. Rep Tokuda was an extraordinary champion for children as both an exceptional advocate for vulnerable children during his time as a State Representative, and, before that, in a number of different child advocacy roles including the Executive Director of the Washington State Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. Kip was a great friend of children and families, and was driven by tremendous and compassionate advocacy for the very young, and vulnerable, a passion for ensuring racially equitable policies in our state, and monumental legislative efforts like passing the landmark Special Needs Adoption bill. We say goodbye to a dear friend.

There will be a public memorial service held at 2 p.m. Sunday July 21st at Kane Hall on the campus of the University of Washington.

CCF Mourns Brewster Denny’s Passing

The Children’s Campaign Fund is deeply saddened to report the passing of founding member Brewster Denny. Brewster’s life was defined by his love for his community and his exemplary record of public service. As a tireless advocate for children’s issues, Brewster Denny will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue to better the lives of Washington’s children and families for years to come.

“When I joined the CCF board in 1999, one of the greatest thrills of my work as a new board member was serving with Brewster. His can do attitude and energy was infectious, and I learned so much from him. He was truly one of a kind. Indeed, his influence on and foundational leadership with the organization is still felt, and he made an extraordinary difference.”

– Joe Cunningham, Children’s Campaign Fund, Vice Chair

A public ceremony celebrating Brewster’s life will be held on July 9, 2013 at 3 p.m. at Epiphany Church in Seattle.

Kids need us now

The special legislative session started on Monday. The biggest issues are being argued over right now, everything regarding the budget.

Here at the Children’s Campaign Fund we know these are difficult times and every program is struggling. Over the past several years we have been faced with heavy budgets cuts, looking at nearly $10 billion that has been cut from our state budget since 2008. We simply cannot take another all cuts budget. This is why we at the Children’s Campaign Fund believe that, at this point, our legislators need to invest in new revenues.

There are approximately 1.55 million children in Washington State:

• 4 out of 10 children use Apple Health for Kids to see a doctor, dentist or other medical professional.

• Nearly half of all children entering school are not ready for kindergarten and the learning gap just grows from there leaving an average of 27% of 3rd graders who cannot meet basic reading standard for their grade, the percentages go up to 38% when you account for low-income status.

• Since 2011 the Working Connection Child Care program has been capped at 35,200 families leaving nearly 3,200 on the waiting list unable to afford highly needed quality child care.

• In July 2012, benefits for State Food Assistance recipients were cut in half from an average of $115 per person to $55 per person. Less than $2 per person per day is simply not enough for the 14,000 children and 17,000 adults to purchase nutritious foods for a healthy diet.

• The need for placement for homeless children and their families has gone up 67% just since January.

It’s time for our legislators to show us: Who's for kids and Who's just kidding?

Call your legislators right now! Demand new revenue! Demand a Washington Budget that takes care of its children and families:

1.800.562.6000 (M-F 8am-12noon and 1pm-4:30pm) or http://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/

Informational resources:

http://budgetandpolicy.org/schmudget/title-2

http://childrensalliance.org/no-kidding-blog/what-makes-good-budget-washington-kids