We are advocates for ALL of Washington’s children and champion policies that advance equity and improve child health and well-being. There are many ways to be an advocate:
- Respond to action alerts that we send out during the legislative session.
- Join our legislative committee. We meet via Zoom – weekly during the legislative session and monthly outside of session. To learn more, contact Sarah Nau.
- Participate in our annual Advocacy Day – on February 12, 2024. We are planning a full day of education and action in Olympia!
Advocate With Us
- Share your patient stories!
- Register for our 2024 Advocacy Day, February 12, 2024.
- Sign up to testify at committee hearings in the legislature.
- Download the VoterVoice app to get Action Alert notifications sent right to your phone.
2023 Accomplishments
- Increased funding for Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service for Children & Teens and the First Approach Skills Training (FAST) program.
- 15% increase in Medicaid reimbursement for behavioral health counseling.
- $10m in loan repayment funds for the Washington Health Corps and $10m in loan repayment funding dedicated to behavioral health professionals.
- Multisystem crisis response teams to meet the needs of youth who are stuck in hospitals for behavioral needs.
- Free school meals for all kids in buildings with at least 30% of students on free and reduced lunch.
- Assault weapons ban, plus a 10-day waiting period and mandated safety training for all firearm purchases.
Recent Accomplishments
- Improved access to care by increasing Medicaid rates to parity with Medicare for pediatric care.
- Extended postpartum Medicaid coverage to 1 year.
- Passage of a working families tax credit.
- Elimination of personal/philosophical exemptions for MMR vaccine for school entry.
- Increased age to purchase tobacco and nicotine products to 21.

The WCAAP employs a lobbyist in Olympia to advocate for an equity-focused, child-friendly legislative agenda in our state, and Chapter members frequently testify in Olympia and meet with legislators.