Attached: VT CCDBG SignOn Letter.8.9.07.pdf

KIDS ARE PRIORITY ONE COALITION

Live the Promise

August 9, 2007

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ALERT:

Act Now to Support Proposed $75 Million

Increase in Federal Child Care Funding

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What We Want

Since 2002, Congress has failed to re-authorize the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), the primary federal funding stream for child care in the United States.  Through CCDBG, states can provide child care assistance for families and fund child care quality initiatives. We must work hard to ensure that the proposed $75 million increase in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG),  proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives, is reflected in the 2008 budget resolution.

Where Things Stand

The U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives have both introduced Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bills.  The House version was recently approved with a $75 million increase in funding for the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG).  Unfortunately, the Senate’s version does not include any increase in funding for child care. 

This fall, members of Congress will be working to reconcile the differences between the two bills.  Obviously, it is critical that the Senate adopt the House position and appropriate a $75 million increase for the CCDBG.

What We Need To Do

Because our own U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, we have a key role to play.  Senator Leahy must hear from us about how important this increase in child care funding would be to children and families.  With so many programs in this bill, and many difficult decisions to be made by Congress, we must make sure that child care is not lost in the shuffle.

Here’s what you can do to make sure that the CCDBG increase is not lost:

1.  VISIT: Senators and Representatives will be returning to their home states and districts during the August recess. There are several options:

**Call Senator Leahy's Burlington office directly at (800) 642-3193 to arrange a visit with him while he is home in August to remind him of the importance of child care. Ask to speak with John Goodrow, the Senator's scheduler for Vermont. Please let me know if you schedule an appointment so we can coordinate our efforts.

OR

**Contact me by Friday, August 17th, if you would like to join a group of Kids Are Priority One advocates who will be meeting with Senator Leahy.

2.  CALL Senator Leahy toll-free at (800) 642-3193 to voice your support. The message: "Please support for the $75 million increase in the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill when it comes time for

members of Congress to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate appropriations bills." It is critical that the Senate adopt the House position and appropriate a $75 million increase for the CCDBG.

3.  WRITE: Organized by the Kids Are Priority One Coalition, Vermont is joining Wisconsin, Hawaii, Connecticut, Minnesota, Illinois, Washington, North Dakota, New York, California and Iowa in a letter-writing campaign to Congress. If you, your early childhood program, your business or your organization would like to add your name to the attached letter, please let me know by Friday, August 31st. The more groups that sign on to these letters, the greater the chance that they will be noticed by committee members. 

For More Information

For a breakdown of funding levels for key early care and education programs in the House and Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education FY 2008 appropriations bills, go to http://www.nwlc.org/pdf/FY08LHHSBudget.pdf.

For an overview of the Child Care and Development Block Grant, go to http://www.naeyc.org/policy/federal/ccdbg.asp.

Thank you,

 

Kim Friedman

Organizing Director, Kids Are Priority One Coalition

(802) 348-9879

kfriedman@windhamchildcare.org.

The Kids Are Priority One Coalition is Vermont's statewide early childhood coalition of individuals, organizations and businesses committed to ensuring that every child in Vermont gets a good start.