Advocate

In 2010, Mile High United Way supported three bills in the Colorado State Legislature: the Income Tax - Child Care Contribution Credit (HB 11-1014), Reducing Youth Homelessness (HB 11-1079) and Protection for Youth in Foster Care (SB 11-120).

Income Tax - Child Care Contribution Credit HB 11-1014—Colorado Revised Statute 39-22-121

Signed in to law by Governor John Hickenlooper on June 2, 2011 the Income Tax-Child Care Contribution Credit extends The Child Care Contribution Credit established in 1999, which provides a 50% state tax credit for any contributions made to a qualifying child care organization. This incentive improves our economy and creates economic growth. Anyone who makes a monetary contribution to promote child care is eligible for a 50% tax credit when filing a Colorado income tax return.

Reducing Youth Homelessness HB 11-1079—Colorado Revised Statute 19-3-205

The Reducing Youth Homelessness Act made changes to Colorado’s treatment of homeless youth in order to bring Colorado into compliance with the federal “Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.” The most dramatic change was the expansion of the category of individuals who qualify as runaway and homeless youth from non-developmentally disabled homeless individuals, aged 15 to 18, to include homeless individuals from 11 to 21 years old. In addition, the Act provides for county court review of each case of a 17 year old homeless youth to determine whether the individual is prepared to become independent at the age of 18 or should remain under the monitoring and support of the county until the age of 21. The Act also increased the number of facilities capable of temporarily housing homeless youths by authorizing the State Board of Human Services to establish licensed host families.

Protection for Youth in Foster Care SB 11-120—Colorado Revised Statute 19-7-101

The Protection for Youth in Foster Care Act creates a foster youth bill of rights that outlines a set of laws for the protection of children in foster care and also sets a standard of care for all children who enter the foster care system. The Act applies to all children in, or who will enter, foster care.