Protect Health, Human Services, and Other Basic Needs

Washington families rely on the health, human services, and other basic needs programs provided by the state. Such services are especially important in moments of crisis and instability. Washington State is facing a significant budget shortfall, which puts state-funded programs and services at risk.

We ask the legislature to prioritize the basic needs of individuals and families by protecting funding for health and human service programs including those that support health care, behavioral health, food security, child development, early learning, public health, and economic security.

Protect and Support a Help Me Grow System in Washington

Many kids face barriers that hinder their health, development, and learning opportunities. We lead on efforts to both build statewide capacity for Help Me Grow and also for building specialized pathways such as expansion of the Plan of Safe Care community pathway. Help Me Grow is a community-driven, resource and referral linkage system that connects young children and their families to appropriate services and community supports. We also look to support the services and resources that Help Me Grow families depend on.

We ask the legislature to prioritize protecting existing funding for Help Me Grow. Especially as families face uncertainties around benefits such as Medicaid and SNAP, Help Me Grow is a critical resource to help families navigate these changes.

We further ask the legislature to provide funding for the Plan of Safe Care community pathway as part of the collaborative response to critical incidents in child welfare.