Accomplishments

Action for Children North Carolina guides the decisions of policymakers by providing data and research that is often used on the floor of the N.C. General Assembly.

We are extremely proud of the measurable difference we are making in the lives of children and young people across the state. Results stemming from our recent public policy work include:

Health:

• Six percent more children in North Carolina can now enroll in the public health insurance program (Health Choice).
• Nutritional snacks are more readily available in school vending machines.
• With the passage of N.C. Kids’ Care, the groundwork is now laid to increase access to affordable health insurance coverage for thousands of currently uninsured children in families between 200%-300% of the Federal Poverty Line ($42,000-$62,000 per year for a family of four).

Safety:

• Motor vehicle deaths of young children (ages 5 to 7) will be reduced by an expected 60% by requiring use of booster seats.
• The risk of motor vehicle accidents has been reduced by banning cell phone use among teenagers currently under the graduated drivers’ license provision.

Economic Security:

• An increase of$14 million will go back in the pockets of low-wage working families by establishing an N.C. earned income tax credit (EITC) that improves tax fairness, supplements wages and helps lift families and children out of poverty.

Juvenile Justice:

• A more effective way to serve juvenile offenders that increases public safety is now being studied by a Task Force at the state level.
• Strategies for keeping young people crime-free are being implemented in four of North Carolina’s poorest counties.
  

Education:

• A plan for integrating financial education K-12 in the public schools is now being formulated by a state-level Financial Literacy Council.