NAEYC Children’s Champions

October 10 , 2007

CALL CONGRESS ON CHILD CARE AND HEAD START FUNDING

NAEYC Children’s Champions ALERT -- Call Congress on Child Care and Head Start Funding NOW

Congress is working on funding bills for the coming year. The House has already voted on their final Labor Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill. The Senate is expected to vote on their version of the bill when Congress reconvenes the week of October 15th. After the Senate votes, both the Senate and the House will quickly move to negotiate a final number for each program in its conference bill.

MESSAGE:

1. We need to be sure that the Child Care & Development Block Grant increase from the House version ($75 million dollars) and the Head Start increase from the Senate version ($200 million dollars) are adopted in the final Labor/Health and Human Services/Education Appropriations conference.
2. We also need to encourage House Representatives to sign onto a “Dear Colleague” letter by Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) that asks the appropriators to support the $75 million increase for child care in the final Labor Health and Human Services Appropriations bill.

CCDBG provides subsidies so families can afford child care, and provides funds to states to improve the quality of child care. Head Start serves roughly half of the eligible preschoolers, and only 3% of the eligible babies and toddlers, with its comprehensive, standards-driven services. Now is the time for Congress to show that children and working families are a priority.

TALKING POINTS FOR CALLS WITH YOUR HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE

My name is _________ and I live in your district. I am calling to urge Representative __________ to sign on to the Dear Colleague letter being circulated by Representative Rosa DeLauro, in support of the $75 million increase for the Child Care & Development Block Grant. Please also support the Senate increase for Head Start of $200 million.

TALKING POINTS FOR CALLS WITH YOUR SENATORS

My name is _________ and I live in the State. I am calling to urge Senator _______ to support a $75 million dollar increase for the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and a $200 million increase for Head Start in the final Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations bill.

To speak to your Senator or Representative, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak to your Member of Congress. If you don’t know your Senators or Representative, go to http://capwiz.com/naeyc/home/ Put your zip code in the box and it will give you their names and contact information.

NAEYC: Comments on Major Legislation in 2005

CCDBG (Child Care & Development Block Grant)

Head Start

Higher Education