Each year, the Alliance develops a legislative agenda that reflects the priorities and needs of local YMCAs across the state. Informed by input from YMCA leaders, staff, and volunteers, our policy priorities focus on strengthening communities, supporting families, and ensuring YMCAs have the resources and partnerships needed to maximize their impact throughout North Carolina.
Advance
Support recurring state investments in childcare to strengthen the workforce, establish a sustainable subsidy rate floor, and align reimbursement rates with current market costs.
Update childcare statutes and regulatory rules to ensure they are developmentally appropriate for school-age youth and reflect the realities of modern out-of-school time programming.
Invest in community-based youth mental health prevention and early intervention programs that increase access to supportive services, strengthen resilience, and promote healthy development among young people.
Expand access to youth civic engagement and leadership development programs, like Youth and Government, that equip young people with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to participate in civic life and strengthen their communities.
Support capital investments that strengthen YMCA facilities and community infrastructure across North Carolina, with priority given to communities recovering from natural disasters and other emergencies.
Support
Support legislation that ensures all children have access to nutritious school meals, helping improve health, academic success, and food security for North Carolina families.
Support policies that address harmful and addictive social media design practices and promote safer digital environments for children and adolescents.
Support legislation that aligns North Carolina law with federal standards by raising the legal age for the sale of tobacco products to 21 and establishing a statewide licensing system for tobacco retailers.
Support legislation that closes regulatory gaps allowing minors access to intoxicating cannabis-derived products.
Support recurring funding for the NC S.A.F.E. Campaign and other initiatives that promote responsible firearm storage and reduce the risk of unintentional injury among children.
Monitor
Legislation or policy changes affecting nonprofit sales tax exemptions and nonprofit property tax exemptions.
Proposals related to sales tax redistribution or the application of sales tax to health, fitness, and recreational memberships and services.
State policies and initiatives related to workforce development, employee recruitment and retention, and strategies that support employers in attracting and sustaining a qualified workforce.