VOICES FOR VIRGINIA'S CHILDREN

POLICY AND PROGRAMS: THIS FISCAL YEAR, VOICES FOR VIRGINIA'S CHILDREN (VOICES) HOSTED A MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER NEARLY 300 PROFESSIONALS, RELEASED A REPORT ON SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH, GRADUATED 14 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM OUR VIRGINIA'S YOUTH IN ACTION COHORT, AND ADVOCATED FOR 84 BILLS. THROUGHOUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION, VOICES ALSO HOSTED THREE ADVOCACY DAYS, BRINGING TOGETHER VOICES OF VIRGINIA'S YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR CHAMPIONS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY YOUNG PERSON IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALIZE THEIR BRIGHTEST POTENTIAL. BECAUSE OF VOICES' ADVOCACY, VIRGINIA MADE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN THE WELL-BEING OF ITS YOUNG PEOPLE. THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM SAW A BOOST OF $33 MILLION, CREATING A "KINSHIP AS FOSTER CARE PREVENTION PROGRAM" THAT PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, WRAP-AROUND SUPPORTS, AND SUPPORT FROM VA KINSHIP NAVIGATORS TO RELATIVES OR FICTIVE KIN. EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION, THE FOUNDATION OF A CHILD'S FUTURE, RECEIVED A STAGGERING $1.1 BILLION TO ENHANCE THE MIXED DELIVERY PROGRAM AND THE VIRGINIA PRESCHOOL INITIATIVE. FAMILIES RECEIVED DIRECT ECONOMIC SUPPORT WITH A $10.4 MILLION INVESTMENT WHICH INCLUDED FUNDING FOR THE SUMMER EBT PROGRAM AND FUNDING TO INCREASE REIMBURSEMENTS FOR SCHOOL BREAKFASTS. HEALTH ACCESS WAS STRENGTHENED BY $149 MILLION, INCLUDING INVESTMENTS IN THE NURSING AND COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER WORKFORCE, LANGUAGE, MEDICAID AND MORE. THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM RECEIVED A $116 MILLION INCREASE INCLUDING FUNDING TO LOCAL SCHOOL DIVISIONS TO BUILD OUT SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS AND INCREASED FUNDING TO ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL MOBILE CRISIS UNITS. THROUGH EVERY TESTIMONY, EVERY MEETING, AND EVERY BILL SUPPORTED, VOICES CONTINUED TO MAKE STRIDES TOWARDS BUILDING A VIRGINIA WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE'S VOICES ARE HEARD AND SUPPORTED, AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES THRIVE.