Policy and Advocacy
Contact Our Policy and Advocacy Team
Together, we can bring about real change.
We work in collaboration with other NGOs, grassroots organizations, and coalitions to secure public commitments to fund playspaces for kids that need these spaces most. This means making sure that lawmakers, at every level of government, understand the importance of playspaces perform in the areas of advancing better health outcomes for children and building vibrant neighborhoods for their constituents. We accomplish this goal through effective advocacy strategies like sharing our mission and stories of impact, publicizing our achievements, providing resources to policymakers, and mobilizing the communities we work alongside.
Our advocacy efforts range from the nation’s Capitol, to statehouses to city halls. In DC, we believe it is vital that lawmakers hear from a diverse group of stakeholders on the importance of racial equity, access to the outdoors, and promoting and protecting the health and wellness of children. While at the state and local levels, we push to see policy translated in the areas of government that impact people the most, which means better quality playspaces, greater access to green spaces, and more attention paid to the social determinants of health that negatively impact BIPOC communities.
Policy in Action
Governor and First Lady Bill and Maria Lee worked with KABOOM! to build a playground in Hermitage Springs, Tennessee as part of the TN Serves initiative spearheaded by the First Lady. This project is a great example of bringing together community service and playspace equity to close the “play gap” in rural communities.
Residents of Uvalde, Texas and KABOOM! CEO Lysa Ratliff met with Rep. Tony Gonzales and other members of the Texas delegation to talk about the important role outdoor play has in protecting their mental health and helping kids recover from traumatic experiences.
KABOOM! CEO Lysa Ratliff was joined by Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, and Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises for a roundtable discussion she hosted on the importance of outdoor play on the physical and mental health of kids.
CLIF KID ZBAR partnered with KABOOM! to host four families from different parts of the country for a Capitol Hill Advocacy Day. These young leaders met with the offices of Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other members of Congress to talk about the important role outdoor play and recreation has had on their lives.
KABOOM! worked with Maryland State Del. Michele Guyton’s office to promote her legislation that would prevent the use of toxic chemicals in playground surfaces. Ronda Jackson, VP of Learning and Evaluation at KABOOM!, joined Del. Guyton and other advocates when Gov. Wes Moore signed the bill into law in May 2024.
Playgrounds are a Bipartisan Issue
Have you ever wondered how elections impact our work to end playspace inequity? Our Policy, Advocacy, and Impact team wrote about what changes are expected after the recent midterm elections.
Read MoreWe work in collaboration with other NGOs and lawmakers, at every level of government, to secure support and understand the importance of playspaces perform. Explore our most recent statements, comments, and letters on some of the important policies impacting playspace inequity.
Submitted Testimony to the US Senate HELP Committee’s Hearing on Public School Funding
Letter to Senator Sanders and Representative Ocasio-Cortex on the Green New Deal for Public Housing
Submitted Comments on the Proposed Rule Changes to the Community Development Block Grant Program
Submitted Comments on the Creation of an American Climate Corps
Testimony in Support of Maryland SB 151- Prince George’s County Workgroup on Health and Wellness
2023 Comments, Letters, and Statements
Submitted Comments to the USDA Regarding Revised Community Facilities Program Eligibility
Letters to House and Senate on Farm Bill
Letter acknowledging Sen. Cornyn for his support of Uvalde
Submitted Comments on Transgender Student Athlete Regulations
Letter to Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry in Support of SNAP
Testimony in support of Maryland HB 546- Service Year Option Program
Letter to California Senator Newman in support of Mandatory Recess Policy
Letter to President Biden on Food Insecurity and the role of playgrounds as community wellness hubs
Submitted Comments to EPA on playgrounds and climate resiliency
Areas of Advocacy
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Equitable Access to Playgrounds
Every child should have places to play, learn, and thrive. Playgrounds afford children safe and engaging ways to play. Every child, regardless of race, should be able to reach one easily.
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Making Children's Health a Priority
Numerous studies show the physical and mental health benefits of play and physical activity, which is why the government needs to invest more in the health of the next generation.
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Strong Support for the Nonprofit Sector
Nonprofits are on the front line of delivering vital social, human, and financial services to America's most vulnerable residents and should be strongly supported by the government.
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Investment into Civic Infrastructure
Open spaces where people can gather, learn, and play are critical to a community's quality of life but also to sustaining our democracy and the free exchange of ideas.
Advocacy Partners
Nonprofit Infrastructure Coalition
In 2020, Independent Sector and KABOOM! formed a coalition known as the Nonprofit Infrastructure Coalition (NIC) to identify, and advocate for, the essential federal investments needed to rebuild the nation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic crisis, and ongoing racial injustice.
Percent for Place Coalition
KABOOM! is one of over two-dozen nationally and locally-oriented organizations participating in this coalition that advocates for additional federal funding and policies that will ensure an equitable amount of public space is reserved for civic participation and engagement for the purposes of play, learning, entertainment, and exploration.
