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Wrapping Up 2019 – a look at our December

December was a busy month for the Kids Win team, concluding with needed time off with our families before the legislative session begins! Check out some of the highlights and look at what’s ahead.

  • We enjoyed having our members and stakeholders together on December 6 for our 4th Quarter meeting and final convening of 2019. We were joined by a legislative panel, including Senator Caleb Rowden, Representative Kip Kendrick, and Representative David Wood, and had the opportunity to hear a preview of the upcoming session and ask the legislative panel questions about policy issues. Topics discussed included Medicaid enrollment and system issues, the decline in child care subsidies, tax credits for Diaper Banks, and more. Thanks to all who participated in person and by phone that day! We had a great turnout and look forward to engaging with all of you this session to continue to advance our priorities for children.
  • Brian and Craig presented our policy wins from 2019 and priorities for 2020 to the Family and Community Trust (FACT) Board.
  • Members of the Finish Line team (Kids Win Missouri, Missouri Budget Project, and Missouri Coalition of Children’s Agencies) facilitated a meeting between Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, and MOHealthNet leadership and key partners, including St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Missouri Chapter – American Academy of Pediatrics, Missouri Nurses Association, Missouri Primary Care Association and Missouri School Boards Association to discuss the Medicaid enrollment decline and policy solutions to help improve Medicaid for children and families in Missouri.
  • We concluded December by continuing work with our partners and policymakers related to early childhood education, foster care, child nutrition, guardians ad litem, and Medicaid coverage. Look for more details as the legislative session kicks off on January 8th.

Next Week

  • Governor Parson will deliver his State of the State address on Wednesday, January 15 at 3PM. Check out the announcement here. The livestream link will be available soon, and we’ll share when we have it. You can also follow @KidsWinMissouri on Twitter for our live commentary of the event.

Coming Soon

  • Cover Our Kids campaign launch: Are you interested in helping us promote the importance of health care for Missouri children and families and policy solutions to ensure all kids can get and keep their coverage? Email Casey at chanson@kidswinmissouri.org for more information on how you can get involved.
  • Kids Win Missouri will host a series of roundtable discussions this Spring to gain greater insight into providers and families experiences with childcare and Medicaid and what is needed to improve both systems in Missouri. Our goal is to gain perspective from those most directly impacted by the issues we’re working to advance so that we can continue to work with our partners to develop meaningful solutions. We’ll be working with key partners in regions throughout the state to ensure we are hearing from a diverse set of stakeholders. If you’re interested in attending an event or helping us recruit providers and parents to attend, please contact any of our staff members.
  • It seems far away, but Child Advocacy Day is fast approaching on April 8, 2020. Join hundreds of advocates from around Missouri to share the importance of investing in kids with poliycmakers. The event is free, and includes a rally, legislator visits, and educational workshops. Register today and join us at the Capitol in April!
  • Interested in volunteering to make Child Advocacy Day a success? Fill out this Volunteer Form and we’ll connect you with a workgroup that matches your interest.

 

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