This November, Arizona voters will elect a governor, asuperintendent of public instruction, all 90 statelegislators, a U.S. senator and eight representatives inCongress. The leaders we elect will make hundreds ofdecisions that will touch the lives of children andfamilies every day. Their votes will shape Arizona’sfuture. And it is up to each of us to make sure that thecandidates we vote for will champion the priorities wewant for children and families in our communities.

The November election will also include a number ofballot initiatives where voters can make policy directly,including the value of the minimum wage for Arizonaworkers and access to quality care, education, and helpfor young children and their parents.

Will hardworking Arizona families be able to findgood child care they can afford? Will our children get

the education they need to succeed in tomorrow’sjobs? How can we fill the holes in our health caresystem so that families have protection to deal withmedical problems? How will we combat the growingcrisis of methamphetamine addiction and othersubstance abuse that drives up crime rates and destroysfamilies?

Your votes will create the answers to these questions.And there are many ways you can help make kidsnumber one this election season:

• Register to vote. Visit https://az.gov/webapp/ evoter/ by August 14.

• Volunteer to help other people register to vote or to help a candidate or an initiative you support.

• Talk to the candidates directly through campaign events, emails, websites, or phone calls.

• Write letters on the issues you care about to your local newspaper so the candidates know what you’re thinking. Visit azchildren.org and click on Press Room to send letters electronically to newspapers around the state.

• Visit the elections section of www.azchildren.org for more ideas and tools to make your vote count for kids.

newsJ u l y 2 0 0 6

Opening The Doors of Opportunity for Arizona’s Children & Families

2 Commentary

3 Message from Chairman

3 Celebrate Kids

4 Covering Kids

4 TABOR

5 Voices of Foster Youth

5 Kids Count

6 Thank You Donors

7 Vote for First Things First

7 Legislative Wrap up

8 CAA Publications

MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT FOR KIDS

BE A PART OF THE POLITICALACTION FOR AZ KIDS!

FREE Clean Elections CandidateForums sponsored

by Children's Action AllianceDistrict 1

(Prescott, Sedona,Verde Valley)

Primary Election Forum Wednesday, August 2General Election Forum Wednesday, September 20

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Prescott City Council Chambers, 201 S. Cortez Street.

District 26 (Marana, Oro Valley,Tucson):Primary Election Forum

Thursday, August 3General Election Forum Thursday, October 4

Both are held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.at the Marana Town Hall

13251 N. Lon Adams Road

We welcome your support!To make a donation to Children’s Action Alliance,

call 602-266-0707 or donate on-line at www.azchildren.org

The battle over the state budget isover. At a time when there weresufficient dollars to climb out of “goodenough” thinking, legislative leadershippassed a budget and tax cut thatthreaten the human services andeducation infrastructure that areessential to Arizona’s future and to our

economic growth. The headlines read “everyone wins.” Since when is it

“winning” when child care subsidies that go to helpworking parents afford decent child care continue to besix years out of date? Since when is it “winning” when low-income working parents who are covered through theKidsCare program have their premiums increased by asmuch as 120% percent despite the fact that most of themoney collected will go back to the federal government?Since when is it winning when vaccines for uninsuredchildren and adults are underfunded so that some willhave to go without protection against measles, mumps,tetanus, influenza, and other serious diseases?

And, most important, since when is it “winning” whenan irresponsible tax package was passed that will force usright back where we were just a year ago with a $1 billionshortfall and crisis budget cuts in the next two to threeyears?

If you believe that our state is doing enough to help kidscome to school ready to succeed and learn; if you believethat we are doing all we can to ensure that abused andneglected kids have a place to call home; if you believethat it’s okay for Arizona to create barriers for eligible kidsand their working parents to receive health care; if youbelieve that our K-12 and public university systems shouldnot leap ahead; and if you believe that tax cuts are theanswer to Arizona’s future, then Arizona’s legislativeleadership is moving in the right direction.

However, if you believe as I do, that this direction isjeopardizing the fulfillment of Arizona’s promise of aglorious future for its citizens, then we are seriously offcourse. If you believe that Arizona will never be greatunless we confront and solve critical problems facing hugenumbers of our kids and their families: affordable childcare and health care, permanent and loving homes forabused and neglected children, a world-class K-12 andpublic university system, then you and I must work tochange this direction.

It is time for us to reclaim the Arizona spirit of courage,honor and dedication to the well-being of all of itschildren. It is time for Arizona’s business leaders to join

hands with community groups all across the state andcreate a coalition of unprecedented scope- a coalition thatis prepared to grapple with what a great state needs and isprepared to fight for it.

This would be a coalition that believes there is muchthat unites us: a profound commitment to fairness; to notputting politics and ideology ahead of the interests ofpeople; and to doing whatever it takes to ensure thatArizona’s children and youth are the smartest, healthiestand most creative in the nation.

Carol Kamin is President/CEO of Children’s Action Alliance.

P.S. As David Bodney writes in his “message from thechair” on page three, I will be moving to Boston the end ofDecember 2006 and will be retiring as President/CEO ofChildren's Action Alliance at that time. I look forward tosharing my final commentary in CAA’s January 2007newsletter.

2

C O M M E N T A R Y

C H A N G I N G D I R E C T I O N S F O R A R I Z O N A ’ S F U T U R E

Coming Soon to aComputer Near You!

CAA is wrapping up production on our new andimproved Children’s Action Alliance website. We’vegot facts you can use, the latest research on key issues,and the most up-to-date information on publicdecisions affecting children and families throughoutArizona.

Directly from our website you can email a letter tothe editor of your newspaper, share a story with usabout a real family, register for an upcomingconference, join the fight against the TABOR formulafor failure and much more.

Visit us today to join CAA’s Alert Network. You willreceive email messages that list simple steps you cantake – right from home – that will make a bigdifference for Arizona kids and families.

Your on-line actions can help create happy endingsfor thousands of children and parents.

Visit www.azchildren.org

Mark LodatoCAA Board member Mark

Lodato has been a part of manymajor public events as a televisionjournalist. He worked for KNXV-TV in the Valley in the mid 1990s,covering such high profile stories asthe Oklahoma City bombing andthe criminal fraud trial of GovernorFife Symington. He also served as aWashington correspondent andreporter/anchor in Washington,

D.C., covering a variety of stories of national significance,including the Clinton impeachment and the 9/11 terroristattack at the Pentagon. Recently, Mark worked as aninvestigative reporter with CBS 5 News in Phoenix.

Mark greatly enjoys teaching his profession to collegestudents. At the Merrill Journalism School at theUniversity of Maryland he supervised the award-winningstudent production of the school’s nightly newscast –broadcast to more than 400,000 homes in suburbanWashington, D.C.

Mark is now turning his attention to academia again. Hehas accepted an appointment as Television News Directorand Professor of Practice at ASU’s Cronkite School ofJournalism. This fall he’ll lead the School’s effort todevelop a nightly newscast staffed by students.

Mark’s communication talents are a wonderful asset forCAA. He is helping us to craft and deliver messages aboutthe issues affecting kids with the power to get noticed andmove people to action.

“I’m proud to serve on CAA’s Board,” Mark said. “Withtwo small children of my own, it’s a perfect way for me tolend a hand with an issue I’m passionate about: securing apromising future for all of Arizona’s children.”

3

I N S I D E C A AB O A R D P R O F I L E

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRSome eighteen years ago, Carol Kamin founded

Children’s Action Alliance with a group of otherArizonans determined to improve the quality of life forchildren in our state. Carol has been our source ofinspiration and leadership ever since. Recently, Carolannounced her retirement from Children’s ActionAlliance at the end of this year. Carol and her husband,Alan, are moving to Boston to be close to their familyand pursue new adventures. We are delighted thatCarol will continue as CEO through this year and wewish Carol and Alan every happiness as they begin theirnew lives in Boston in 2007.

The Children’s Action Alliance Board of Directors isin the process of searching for Carol's successor –someone to lead the organization in meeting thechallenges and opportunities for Arizona’s children andfamilies in the years ahead. While no one ever couldreplace Carol Kamin, we are confident of our ability tofind new leadership to strengthen CAA's steadfastcommitment to the causes of Arizona's kids. As wemove ahead, CAA's talented staff shall continue toproduce the highest caliber research and advocacy inthe field.

Please stay tuned for news about CAA's new presidentand CEO. In the meantime, as ever, we look forward toworking with you to open the doors of opportunity forArizona’s children.

David J. BodneyChairman of the Board of Directors

JOIN CAA OCTOBER 7 TO CELEBRATE KIDSA Place to Call Home is the theme of CAA’s 2006 Through the Eyes of a Child annual youthart auction and fund raising gala. The event will be held Saturday evening, October 7, atthe Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center.

Rich Boals, President & CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, is the honorarychairman of this festive event that celebrates the joys of childhood. This year’s celebrationwill include presentation of the Jacque Steiner Public Leadership Award to TheHonorable Jane Dee Hull, former Arizona Governor, and to George Cunningham,former state senator and currently Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Napolitano. Theevening will also include a tribute to The Honorable Daniel Schweiker with the HoraceSteele Child Advocacy Award. Dan is a Councilmember in the Town of Paradise Valleyand founder and co-chair of China Mist Tea Corporation.

For information on sponsorships or tickets, please visit www.azchildren.org or call Paula Carvalho at 602-266-0707, extension 212.Visit www.azchildren.org.

4

More than 200 friends enjoyed adouble celebration last March: the18th birthday of Children’s ActionAlliance and the presentation of GingerWard with the 2006 Champion forChildren Award. The Champion forChildren is awarded annually to ahuman services professional who hasreached beyond the boundary of his orher job to speak out for Arizona’schildren and families.

Ginger Ward stands up for young kidsand families in Arizona with an energeticpassion that inspires action and progress. She foundedSouthwest Human Development in 1981, serving 175families with a staff of six. Twenty-five years later,Southwest has grown to over 500 staff members serving

50,000 families and childrenthroughout Maricopa County.Ginger’s leadership has earned theagency a national reputation forexcellence in early childhoodeducation, mental health, familysupport, disability services, andtraining.

Ginger is innovative and creative,finding ways of applying theory topractice within real budgets andcompeting priorities. Children’sAction Alliance is very proud to

honor her for her unending commitment to form newpartnerships, test new projects, and share new ideas tobring quality care and education to young childrenand their families.

Coalition Succeeds inKeeping TABOR Out of AZ

Children’s Action Alliance helped bring together abroad based coalition of business leaders, seniors, healthcare providers, police and firefighters, educationleaders, and community organizations to fight againstTABOR – the deceptively-named “taxpayer bill ofrights.”

The coalition, called Arizonans Against a Bad Idea,spread the word far and wide about the dangers of theTABOR constitutional amendment that would tielawmakers’ budget decisions to an arbitrary andinflexible formula. The coalition was chaired by DanSchweiker, founder and co-chair of China Mist TeaCorporation. Schweiker describes TABOR as “a formulafor failure that threatens the state economy and createscrises in health care, education, and public safety.”

Thanks to the information and opposition generatedby many coalition partners – and the leadership of manystate representatives and senators -- several versions ofTABOR legislation were soundly defeated in legislativevotes this session.

Coalition members will continue to work together tofend off future attempts to bring this bad idea toArizona.

For more information, visit www.azbadidea.com or call KarenMcLaughlin at 602-266-0707.

Carol Kamin and Ginger Ward

CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN: GINGER WARD

Covering Arizona Kids250,000 Arizona kids currently lack the health

coverage they need to succeed in school and grow uphealthy. That’s 3,500 school busloads of kids. Morethan half of them likely qualify for KidsCare orAHCCCS health coverage. Unfortunately, manyparents may be unaware that free or low-cost healthinsurance is available to them.

Children’s Action Alliance and its communitypartners are working to connect more kids withhealth coverage. With the generous financialsupport of the Legacy Foundation and the RobertWood Johnson Foundation, efforts are gearing up toreach parents through the media and communityevents and organizations. This will complementschool-based outreach efforts that CAA has beenengaged in over the past year, with the support of theNina Pulliam Charitable Trust.

Our first efforts will center on enrolling morechildren in health coverage as they go back toschool. To learn more about how you or your schoolor business can assist in this effort, visit our website atwww.azchildren.org and click on the CoveringArizona Kids logo or call Kim Van Pelt at602-266-0707.

My Voice, My Life, My Future

5

Kids Count ReportShows Improvement forArizona Kids

The 17th Annual KIDSCOUNT Data Book, anannual state-by-stateranking of child well-beingproduced by the Annie E.Casey Foundation inBaltimore, ranks Arizona 37among the 50 states – upfrom 41 last year. The KIDSCOUNT study comparesstates on ten criticalindicators of well-being.This is the first time intwelve years that Arizona does not rank among the bottom ten states.

Arizona made the most progress in the percent of children living in poverty. This improvement likely results from thestate’s faster economic recovery from the recession than the nation as a whole.

“Arizona’s improved ranking reflects the benefit to families of a strong economy and job growth,” said Carol Kamin. “It’swonderful to see that this economic growth pulled Arizona out of the bottom ten states. Now it’s up to us to build on thisprogress and help improve other conditions for Arizona kids.”

Despite improvement in 7 out of 10 indicators since 2000, Arizona kids have better conditions than the national averagein only two indicators – the infant mortality rate and rate of low birth-weight babies.

ARIZONA RANKINGS

Overall 37

Low birth-weight babies 17

Teen death rate 35

Teen birth rate 47

Rate of high school dropouts 45

Children living w/unemployed parents 27

Children living in poverty 34

Single parent families 29

My Voice, My Life, My Future – Mi Voz, Mi Vida, Mi Futurofocuses on the need to engage foster youth in theprocesses and decisions that profoundly impact theirlives.

With funding from the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Home atLast initiative, Children’s Action Alliance is workingwith Arizona state agency and community partners toincrease awareness of the challenges facing our nation’sfoster care system and to focus on improving courtoversight of the abused and neglected children in fostercare.

During the months of May and June, art works andessays expressing the many voices and perspectives offoster children were exhibited at the State Capitolthanks to our coordinating partners, Free Arts ofArizona and Young Arts Ltd. At the opening reception,the Arizona Foster and Adoptive Parent Associationpresented each member of the Arizona legislature andthe Governor a doll with a true story of a child’s life inArizona's foster care system.

While outcomes for many youth in foster care arepositive, the artworks also express experiences that are

far from optimal. Children’sAction Alliance is exploringstrategies to pursue therecommendations of the PewCommission on Children inFoster Care to give children adirect voice in dependency courtas well as effective legalrepresentation.

In July, Children’s ActionAlliance and the Arizona Department of EconomicSecurity are sponsoring the 2006 Arizona Young AdultConference – My Voice, My Life, My Future: YouthInvolvement in Dependency Court.

This extraordinary conference will bring together 100youth in foster care to brainstorm ideas and identifypolicy recommendations to improve the Arizona courtsystem. Children’s Action Alliance looks forward toworking with the Arizona courts to make sure fosteryouth voices will be heard.

For more information, please contact Beth Rosenberg at602-266-0707 or brosenberg@azchildren.org.

thankyou

Major Grants $50,000+

Annie E. CaseyFoundation

Arizona CommunityFoundation

Center on Budget &Policy PrioritiesFord Foundation

St. Luke's HealthInitiatives

The Nina Mason PulliamTrust

The Robert WoodJohnson Foundation

Charles Stewart MottFoundation

Major Donors & Grants$10,000-$49,999APS/Pinnacle West Corp.JP Morgan Chase

Blue Cross Blue Shield ofArizona

William and DeborahCarstens

Governor's OCYF SchoolReadiness Board

JW KieckheferFoundation

Margaret T. MorrisFoundation

Melody S. RobidouxFoundationPew Charitable TrustsSalt River ProjectStardust Foundation, Inc.

The Arizona Republic/12News Season for SharingThe Wallace FoundationWells Fargo

Champions for Children$1,000-$9,999

Arizona Hospital &Healthcare Association

Arizona Partnership forChildrenArizona State UniversityBashas' Charitable FundRonnie Bendheim

Chuck and AllisonBlanchardDavid and Sarah BodneyCatholic Healthcare West

Christian Family CareAgencyDavison Benefits GroupDiamond FoundationDMB Associates, Inc.Fred and Jennifer DuVal

Eagle MedicalManagementDiane and John EcksteinPaul and Flo EcksteinFennemore Craig

Sybil Francis andMichael CrowVirginia G. GiovaleGMMBChris GonzalezNaomi and David Goodell

Jim Gordon and NormaKaferBob and Judi GottschalkGPW and Associates, Inc.Greenberg, Traurig LLP

Harold & Jean GrossmanFamily Foundation

Phyllis and MichaelHawkinsMaxine and Ralph HenigRoger Hughes

Diane Johnsen andRoger BroadmanCarol and Alan KaminLawrence and Ellen KatzKronos Group, Inc.Martin and Linda Latz

LeCroy & MilliganAssociates, Inc.Richard and SallyLehmannLewis and Roca LLPLinda Cannon &AssociatesMark and Valery Lodato

Maricopa CommunityCollegesBruce and Janis MerrillSue and James NavranOsborn Maledon, P.A.Perkins Coie LLP

Phoenix Children'sHospitalPhyllis A. RozanskySCF of ArizonaSchaller Anderson, Inc.

Southwest HumanDevelopmentSteptoe & Johnson, LLCThe Flinn Foundation

The HerbergerFoundationThe Lodestar FoundationTriWest HealthcareAlliance

Tucson Electric PowerCompanyUA College of Medicine

United PhoenixFirefighters AssociationUniversity Medical CenterValueOptions, Inc.

Patron $500-$999Judy AckermanJohn and Lolly Almquist

Arizona Council ofHuman Service ProvidersJohn and Bonnie Bouma

Dennis BurkeCasa de Los Ninos

Robert and GloriaCasillas

Child & FamilyResources, Inc.Cramer Krasselt

Bruce and LynneDusenberryCarol Ann EricksonJane and Bob Ganelin

Jaime and LindaGutierrezVictoria HoffmanBrenna LaceyDana and Rick Naimark

Christine and StevenNowaczykDon P. Snider

Alan Stein and Terry SueHolpert

Valley of the Sun UnitedWayDr. Gordon M. WeinerJohn WrightBarry and Barbara Zemel

Sustainer $100-$499Joe Abdelnour, DDS

Daniel and CherieAdelmanJean and Charles AresLarry and Carol BalboniFrank M. BarriosPhilip and Wendy BarryClifton and Val Batchelor

Robert and LyndaBeauchampEric and Laura Bistrow

Chuck and AllisonBlanchard

Willam and CarolBombeckCarol L. BoonePeter and Rachel BorsariMary and Robert Bricker

Michael and NancyBrown

Mr. and Mrs. Robert B.Bulla

Barbara and PeterBurkholderGaile and Albert CannellaEsther Capin

Child Crisis Center - EastValley, Inc.Daniel T. Cloud, M.D.Eloise and John Clymer

Collins Ranch WaterUsers AssociationDr. Susan DalbyJanice and Dean DinnerMaureen M. DuaneJennifer EcksteinKatherine Eckstein

Chuck and Kay Ekstrom

Michael and SusanEtchartBrenda B. Even, Ph.D.Mark H. FloorA.W. and Jacque FlowersFred and Melba Foreman

John and SandraForemanDavid and Betty ForsbergLorraine W. FrankHelen GaeblerDick and Carol GeaslandPhil and Susan Gerard

Susan and RichardGoldsmithJanet GouldKaren GregoryMargaret R. Gregory, MDBob Grossfeld

Kathy and MichaelHaake

Drs. Michael Hamant andLynnell Gardner

Hardt and AssociatesPublic Affairs, LLCClifford and Carol HarrisJoe and Laura HauerBill and Anne HemeltFreddy HershbergerVernon L. Higginbotham

Arnold and PennyHorwitchRobin HoskinsDavid and Joan HowellLinda Huff RedmanDebra Hunter

Andrew and SallyHurwitz

Penelope Jacks and Dr.Terence ConnollyDeborah JamiesonLouanne JewettEli KaminskyLaura H. KennedyDaniel and Jill Kessler

Philip and Amy JeanKnorrRivko KnoxMarc LatoGabrielle Lawrence Ph.D.Gene and Sue LefebvreJanet LincolnLarry and Cynthia Lippon

Albert and EuniceLovejoy

Gary Lowenthal andSusan CedarGale E. Manke, R.N.

Stanley Marks andSusan ResnikLaura MartinJuana B. MaseEddie and Nadine Basha

J.O. Maynes, Jr., Ph.D.Toni and Tom McClory

Harry and MarieMcDermott

Elizabeth and StephanMcNameeJoan and Neil MendelsonNancy Mendoza

William and DorotheaMerrickCarol Mills-Lewis

The Honorable RoseMoffordJanet MuellerRoger and Cathie NelsonAnn W. Nichols, Ph.D.

Peter and TeenaOlszewskiCharles and Susan Ott

Mike and CindyParseghianPeople of Color NetworkKate PetersenJack and Patricia PfisterThomas PickrellTara and Anthony PleseRonald and Mary PriceMark Pry and Rose WeitzMary ReamsJane Reddin

Melody and JaimeReganGary RestainoJoey RidenourPriscilla G. RobinsonBetty Rosenzweig

Ferenc and DianeRosztoczyJames Rummage

Henry Ruth and DeborahMathieuSeymour and Star SacksHildy SaizowBill and Kathy Sandy

Drs. John and HelenSchaeferJohn and Helen Schaefer

Martin and RobertaScharf

David and KathrynSchwarzJohn Scialli, MDDiane and Ken Scott

Sarah Seaver and JohnSpielberg

Valerie Sheedy andBruce ConverseSandra G. SheinbeinDee and Murray SirkisThomas J. Sliskovich

Michael C. Smith andMary Gill

Brenda Sperduti and TomWhelanAnn Spiegel, M.D.

Paul and Nan Steiner

Drs. Peggy Stemmlerand Patrick LiuSteve StilwellSumma Associates

Elizabeth and DanielSwadenerMichael and Janet ValderConnie B. VitaleLinda VolheinJudy Walruff, Ph.D.

The Honorable NanetteM. WarnerElaine Warner

Michael Wasserman andElana KanterGayle and Jay Weiss

Nancy and JamesWhitney

Susan Wilkins and DJHopwood-JacobsHelen Catherine Zandler

Dr. and Mrs. JosephZerella

Supporter $50-$99

Chaunci G. Aeed

Louraine C. Arkfeld

Anna L. Arnold

Tracy Barney

Linda Barter

Michele R. Brown

Carl Brown and NancyRees

Dr. and Mrs. K. JamesBusch

Nellie Campbell

J. Kipp Charlton, M.D.

George and MarjorieCunningham

La Vonne Douville

E. Anne Eddowes, Ph.D.

Harold and Marian Elliott

Betty Feinberg

Allen and CharlesaFeinstein

Andrew J. Genualdi, Jr.

Harvey Grady

Greater Huachuca AreaDemocratic Club

Susan A. Henningsen

Barbara A. Henscheid

Marsha C. Johnson

Sue Barden Johnson,M.D.

Susan Kettlewell

Avtar and AdiShaktiKhalsa

Faith Klepper

Dawn Knight

Rivko Knox

Donna and John Kolberg

Francis Kovalcik

James Kritcher

Cynthia Leigh Lewis

Linda Luegering

David and Gypsy Lyle

Lynne F. Marion

Paul Martodam

Mary Belle and RichardMcCorkle

David and Mary McKell

Elizabeth G. McKenna,MD

MIKID, Mentally Ill Kids inDistress

Sherman and AndiMinkoff

Dr. Caroline R.Musselwhite

Elizabeth Nelson

Shirley Odegaard

Mitzi Pinsly

John C. Replogle

Judy Richardson

Valerie Richter

Philip and CarolynRobbins

Wendy and JonathanRose

Gloria H. Russell

Ron and Karen Sallerson

Sheila Schwartz

Howard and BrendaSchwartz

Shadow Rock UnitedChurch of Christ

Francine and MortonShafton

Evelyn M. Smith

Gretchen H. Sorenson

Paul and Susan Stander

Peter and JeanineStarrett

Darryl and Helen Stern

Janet S. Story

Pearl M. Tang, MD

Drs. Selma and JeromeTargovnik

Dr. B.J. Tatro

Bert Thomsen

Marjorie E. Thornton

Carol and Craig Trudgen

Holly K. Wake

Lina and Norm Wallen

James and Judith Walsh

George and Allyn Watson

Karen M. Willett

Frank and Linda Williams

Amy Willingham

Vivian Wood

Brenda Young and NorrisNordvold

6

DonorsThe work of Children's Action Alliance is made possible through the support of hundreds of

individuals, organizations, businesses and foundations. We gratefully acknowledge your contributiontoward sustaining and strengthening the voice for Arizona's children. Listed below are those who havecontributed $50 or more during 2005. Without you, there would be no voice.

7

EITC OUTREACH EFFORTS PAY OFFEach year, thousands of

working families in Arizonamiss out on income taxrefunds because they don’tapply for the Earned IncomeTax Credit (EITC) on theirfederal income tax returns.The EITC Task Force ofSouthern Arizona is workingto change that. This yearpartners from the social

services, faith, and business communities came togetherto run Volunteer Taxpayer Assistance sites that providelow and middle income people with free tax preparationassistance and filing. CAA is a leader in this outreach,training more than 250 people this year to help theirclients receive tax credits.

The numbers tell the story of success: This year,southern Arizona taxpayers’ assistance sites helpedfamilies obtain EITC refunds totaling more than $2million -- a 60% increase over last year. In addition, thiscommunity effort saved families an estimated $1 millionin tax preparations fees.

Congratulations to all the community leaders andvolunteers!

For more information contact Penelope Jacks at520-795-4199 or penelopejacks@alumni.grinnell.edu.

WILL ARIZONA KIDSBE BETTER OFF? 2006 Legislative Wrap-up.

Despite the fact that Arizona’s tax collections grewmuch more than projected and there was no budgetdeficit for the first time in several years, the session wasjust as angry and divided as ever. What happened forkids and families?

Confronting substance abuse – Lawmakers added $8million to help fight addiction to methamphetamineand other drugs through a combination of prevention,treatment, and interdiction.

Limiting access to health care – Legislative leaders wantedto abolish health coverage for 14,000 working parents.As a compromise, the budget increases premiums forthis coverage up to 120% which will push some parentsout of coverage.

Catching up on child care – The state budget adds$400,000 to hire more inspectors so that licensed childcare centers get the health and safety inspectionsrequired by law. The budget also increases the voucheramount for parents qualified to get help paying for child

care. With this increase, the vouchers will only be sixyears out of date – instead of eight.

Protecting children from abuse and neglect – Thanks toleadership from Governor Napolitano, the budget adds$14 million for child protective services to keep up withthe growing number of children needing help and tokeep children safe in their own homes rather than fostercare. Lawmakers narrowly defeated two bills that wouldhave made it harder for foster children to be adoptedand harder for CPS to move children out of dangeroushomes (HB 2696 and SB 1430).

Strengthening K-12 Education – Governor Napolitano ledthe way to offer full-day Kindergarten statewide in thenext two years and to increase teacher pay and benefits.

Creating future deficits – House Speaker Jim Weiers andSenate President Ken Bennett insisted on $535 million intax cuts annually – including a permanent income taxcut of $335 million. What will legislators cut from thebudget in a few years when the tax cuts collide withArizona’s growing population and dig us back into the $1billion deficit hole we just climbed out of? The futurefunding for today’s investments is already at risk.

For more information contact Dana Naimark at602-266-0707 or dnaimark@azchildren.org.

Children’s Action Alliance proudly supportsthe First Things First ballot initiative toinvest $150 million in tobacco tax dollarsin young children and their families everyyear. Local councils who know the needsof children in their communities willdistribute the funding for efforts such ashigh quality child care, health screenings,and training and certification for childcare providers. You can be part of the FirstThings First initiative, along withorganizations throughout the state such asEast Valley Partnership, Chicanos Por laCausa, the Arizona Academy of Pediatrics,and United Way of Tucson and SouthernArizona. With this initiative, Arizonavoters can turn aspirations into action forquality early learning and care.

For information on how you can help, visitwww.FirstThingsFirstAZ.com

or call 602-266-5118.

FIRST THINGS FIRSTHEADS TO BALLOT

4001 North 3rd StreetSuite 160Phoenix, Arizona 85012(602) 266-0707(602) 263-8792 FAXwww.azchildren.orge-mail: caa@azchildren.org

NON PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPHOENIX, ARIZONA

PERMIT NO. 1751

CAA Board of DirectorsPublications Available From Children’s Action Alliance

NEW! KidsCare Fees: Cracks in the Arizona HealthCare System – briefing paper describing how higher feesfor KidsCare weaken Arizona’s health care system andleave children uninsured.

NEW! Real People, Real Stories – tells the true storiesof Arizona families who got trapped into spiraling debtfrom the sky high fees of payday loans.

NEW! Who’s for Kids and Who’s Just Kidding –brochure with key facts about kids and families andquestions to ask candidates running for office.

UPDATED! Healthcare Programs for Arizona’sUninsured – resource manual with easy-to-use indexto low-cost health insurance and health servicesavailable to adults and children.

UPDATED! KIDS COUNT 2006 Data Book – ranksArizona compared to other states on ten indicators ofconditions for children.

Compensation and Credentials: A Survey ofArizona’s Early Education Workforce – describes thewages, benefits, and education levels of earlychildhood teachers and makes recommendations tostrengthen the workforce and the education of youngchildren.

Transitions: Building Better Lives for Youth LeavingFoster Care – examines the dramatic challengesfacing abused and neglected youth on their own at age18 and recommends action steps to give them a solidtransition to adulthood.

For a complete list of publications or to order apublication, please visit our website atwww.azchildren.org, or call us at 602-266-0707

David J. Bodney, Board ChairmanSteptoe & Johnson, LLP

Laura Tremon AlmquistCommunity Leader

David BartlettCommunity Leader

Charles BlanchardPerkins Coie Brown & Bain, P.A.

Fred DuValDuVal and Associates

Kay EkstromChristian Family Care Agency

Armando FloresArizona Public Service Co.

Sybil Francis, Ph.D.Center for the Future of Arizona

MaryAnn GuerraTGen Research Institute

Jaime GutierrezUniversity of Arizona

Nora HannahLandiscor Aerial Information

David HowellWells Fargo

Diane JohnsenOsborn Maledon

Martin E. LatzLatz Negotiation Institute

Mark LodatoCronkite School of Journalism, ASU

John LoredoPublic Policy Consultant

Stephen MittenthalEllis Center for EducationalExcellence

Susan NavranBlue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

Christine NowaczykBank of Arizona

Brenda SperdutiSperduti NetWorks

Carolyn WarnerCorporate Education Consulting, Inc.

Mark Your Calendarfor Through the Eyes of a Child annual gala Saturday, October 7.

Look for information soon about the 2006 Candidate Forum onChildren’s Issues.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED