An important bill passed its first committee with unanimous support in the Colorado legislature this week: SB20-029 Helping Families Access Federal Income Supports.  Illuminate Colorado, the state affiliate of Prevent Child Abuse America, is proud to support the bill and recognizes strengthening household financial security as a strategy to prevent child abuse and neglect. Led by the Colorado Children’s Campaign and Colorado Center on Law and Policy, SB20-29 creates an annual cost of living adjustment to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program’s Basic Cash Assistance benefit.

This cost of living adjustment is crucial because the cash benefit has not kept up with the inflation rate, thus the spending power of families has decreased over time. This bill will increase parental resilience and concrete support in times of need, which are two of the Protective Factors to reduce the likelihood of child maltreatment. 

SB20-029 is a critical and effective investment in Colorado’s future and the prevention of child maltreatment. Stay tuned for updates through the Colorado Children’s Campaign as the bill moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee.