The West Steps

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 num…

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,…

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, …

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 fragmen…

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 t…

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 a…

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 c…

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 tak…

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…

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 …

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 pri…

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 …

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 c…

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 an…

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 h…

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…

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 m…

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…

“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 …

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 hom…