Stand Together. Make a Difference.

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas understands that to create long-lasting, systemic change in North Texas, we must work as a community to achieve the United 2020 goals in Education, Income and Health. United Way has outlined key priorities for the 2013 Texas Legislature that will advance our region to the brighter future all North Texans deserve. These crucial issues are something our entire community can support, with minimal — if any — cost to the state. For more information, contact Stephanie Mace, 214.978.0034 or swerner@unitedwaydallas.org.

2013 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

EDUCATION

Preparing more kids to graduate and succeed

INCOME

Helping families leave poverty permanently

HEALTH

Enabling people to live healthy lives

Early Childhood
Support proven practices that promote healthy child development and early learning that lead to school readiness, including prenatal care, home visitation and child care

Best Practices
Support best practices of innovative programs that strengthen school teaching, including science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs; out-of-school programs; and parental and community involvement

Workforce Development
Support policies that promote vocational training opportunities that lead to living-wage, high-growth career paths

Responsible Lending
Support responsible lending practices for consumer loans, including leveling the playing field in the small-dollar loan market and encouraging innovative market alternatives that result in affordable, easy-to-access small-dollar loans

Obesity Prevention
Protect proven obesity prevention efforts, including annual FITNESSGRAM testing, coordinated school health and physical education

School Meals
Support innovative programs that increase access to nutritious meals for eligible students and decrease transient hunger

ADDITIONAL PRIORITIES

Monitor potential changes to the General Educational Development (GED) test to ensure it stays accessible and affordable

Support policies that increase the effectiveness of community colleges

Support initiatives that allow individuals to build credit

Monitor management of the state’s financial education endowment to ensure it funds quality programming

Support initiatives that encourage healthier lifestyles