Policy Priorities
- There were several meetings this month related to finalizing our policy priorities, culminating in our Third Quarter Membership Meeting, where the 2020 Policy Priorities were shared by each workgroup. The workgroups also began initial stakeholder analyses of their top priorities to assist staff as we begin to engage stakeholders on each issue.
- The priorities are listed on the Kids Win Missouri website by issue area under the “Policy Priorities” tab.
Veto and Special Session
- Veto and special session took place during the week of Sept 9th. The legislature did not attempt to overturn any vetoes and passed a bill that allows taxpayers to trade in multiple vehicles to receive a discount on sales tax related to the purchase of an automobile.
- During the veto session, the Joint Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect heard testimony from Rep. Becky Ruth on her work around guardian ad litems and from Department of Social Services Director Jennifer Tidball and Children’s Division Director David Kurt.
- The House General Laws Committee heard testimony from providers and parents on the impact of Nathan’s Law. Robin Phillips from Child Care Aware of Missouri and Kids Win Missouri’s Director of Policy and Advocacy, Craig Stevenson, testified at the hearing.
Outreach and Engagement
- Kids Win Missouri presented an update on early childhood priorities to the Early Childhood Policy Committee of the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) on September 4th.
- During the month, Kids Win Missouri staff participated in meetings held by the Immunization Coalition, School Breakfast Coalition, the quarterly State Foster Care and Adoption Board meeting and with Head Start Directors.
- On September 12, Kids Win Missouri worked in partnership with our Finish Line grant partners (Missouri Budget Project and Missouri Coalition of Children’s Agencies) to host the 2019 Child and Family Health Retreat. This was an opportunity to bring together over 90 child and family health stakeholders to discuss pressing issues and challenges with the Medicaid program, share policy solutions and develop shared goals to improve the program for children and families. To follow up to the event, the Finish Line team will continue its outreach efforts on the issue. If you’re interested in learning more about these efforts, please reach out to Casey Hanson on the Kids Win Missouri team.
- Craig was back on the road discussing child well-being issues from the 2019 session and providing a preview of the 2020 legislative session with early childhood stakeholders in St. Joseph.
- The Kids Win Missouri team met with education and school-based health stakeholders on September 26, as part of the Missouri School Boards Association Conference. The team provided a policy update on some of our shared work around the Medicaid enrollment decline and presented on issues likely to receive attention during the 2020 legislative session.
On the Horizon
- In October, the Kids Win Missouri team will travel to Atlanta to participate in the Alliance for Early Success Partner Summit.
- Kids Win Missouri is partnering with Aligned to host a Kansas City Happy Hour on November 21. We invite our partners from the Kansas City or surrounding areas to join us for this casual event to network and talk shop with child well-being advocates from the area. Visit the Events page on our website for more details.
- Our final meeting of 2019 will take place on Friday, December 6 in Jefferson City. This will be our last meeting of the year, so we’ll share updates on each priority and some general organizational updates as well. We hope you’ll join us – RSVP here!