ARIZONA 360

Episode 210

STATE OF BABIES IN AZ: A national report claims Arizona has room to grow when it comes to the well-being of its infants. The “State of Babies Yearbook: 2019” looked at all 50 states and Washington D.C. and evaluated the well-being and access to care for children up to three years old. Arizona ranked among the bottom 13 states based on the report’s indicators. Christopher Conover discusses the findings with Kelley Murphy with the Children’s Action Alliance, a group that lobbies for greater childhood development initiatives at the state capitol. SUPPORTING TEEN MOMS: Many workplaces offer childcare options for newborns and toddlers, including the Sunnyside Unified School District in Tucson. But staff aren’t the only ones taking advantage of the services. For decades now, students and families in the district have received much-needed support. Arizona 360 looks at the help provided by the district’s Teenage Parenting Program and Parents As Teachers program. VACCINE EXEMPTIONS: Amid a recent uptick in measles cases nationwide, Governor Doug Ducey said he would not sign any legislation that could increase the number of unvaccinated children in the state. Current state law allows personal belief exemptions for students attending kindergarten through 12th grade if a parent submits what’s called a Personal Belief Exemption Form. Christopher Conover discusses why parents make that decision with Kacey Ernst and Heidi Pottinger, who both study the issue at the UA Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. NEW TAX REFORMS: New tax reforms passed by the federal government last year take effect this filing season. The United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona is one group helping taxpayers navigate the changes. Financial Stability Program Director Rae Pilarski joined Christopher Conover in studio to discuss what trends preparers have noticed and what services the organization is offering ahead of the filing deadline.