State Strategies for Sustained Investment in Kids: A Landscape of Dedicated FundingStates across the country are increasingly using specific sources of revenue, separate from their general budgets, to provide stable, long-term funding for programs and services for children and youth outside of the K-12 school day. These funds are dedicated through actions by state legislatures or through ballot measures approved by voters. Understanding how states have successfully created dedicated funding streams for kids is critical for informing and inspiring similar efforts elsewhere. Dedicated funding for children and youth comes from a variety of sources of state revenue. By highlighting the range of approaches—along with the advocacy, coalition building, and planning that made them possible—this report serves as a practical tool for advancing more sustainable and equitable systems of support for children and youth nationwide.Download the paper to learn more. Then watch the webinar recording to hear directly from the advocates who successfully created dedicated funds for children and youth in their states. Download PDF Filed under:Infants and Toddlers, Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Youth, Young Adults, Advocates/Intermediaries, Policymakers/Agency Leaders, Publication, Sourcing Additional Funding, Strategic Public Financing, Voter-Approved Children’s FundsMore Resources Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: King County, WA Best Starts for Kids provides comprehensive support from prenatal development through young adulthood to ensure that every child raised in King County grows up happy, healthy, safe, and thriving. Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Denver, CO Denver Preschool Program is available to all Denver 4-year-olds in their last year of preschool before kindergarten and qualifying 3-year-olds, with priority given to families experiencing financial hardships. Updates and Events News February 11, 2026 States Push for Dedicated Funds for Children and Youth in Response to Federal Funding Challenges Insights January 14, 2026 A New Year of Standing Together for Children and Youth Guest Blog December 10, 2025 Social Media, Mental Health, and the Role of After-School and Summer Programs Close Share it! Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Click to copy URL Link Copied!
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: King County, WA Best Starts for Kids provides comprehensive support from prenatal development through young adulthood to ensure that every child raised in King County grows up happy, healthy, safe, and thriving.
Publication Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Denver, CO Denver Preschool Program is available to all Denver 4-year-olds in their last year of preschool before kindergarten and qualifying 3-year-olds, with priority given to families experiencing financial hardships.
News February 11, 2026 States Push for Dedicated Funds for Children and Youth in Response to Federal Funding Challenges
Guest Blog December 10, 2025 Social Media, Mental Health, and the Role of After-School and Summer Programs