Tell Congress to Invest in Early Learning
December 23, 2013 by Alyssa Haywoode
Photo: Alessandra Hartkopf for Strategies for ChildrenNote: Best wishes to all for a happy holiday season. Eye on Early Education will resume publication on January 6, 2014.* * * * *“Yes, there’s a budget deal. But our work is far from over!”That’s the message the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) is sending about the deal that was made by Budget Committee Chairs Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI).“The total deal is $85 billion. About $45 billion of that replaces sequestration cuts in 2014,” the Washington Post explains in this summary. The deal, which has been approved by the House and the Senate, would fund the federal government for fiscal years 2014 and 2015.It’s welcome progress, but this deal only patches holes. It does not create new programs.Now is the time to contact members of Congress and tell them that the country needs new investments in high-quality early education programs that prepare children for lifelong success.Patching Holes: Pending Relief for Early LearningHit hard by sequestration cuts, Head Start had to eliminate funding for some 57,000 slots, Education Week explains, adding that the proposed budget deal would bring some relief.“The budget plan would restore about $22.5 billion of the domestic money for fiscal 2014. So, about 87 percent of the money could come back to agencies and funding streams that sustained cuts,” Education Week says.Here’s the caveat: Congress would have to decide “to bring back money to every entity evenly.” And if Congress were to restore Head Start “to fiscal 2012 levels, that means less money for some other program or programs.”NWLC does see some good news. Its letter to advocates says, “There is a bright spot for early learning that reflects your hard work.” The budget deal includes three reserve funds: “one for Child Care and Development Block Grant, one for Home Visiting, and one for the new Strong Start for Children proposal.”The letter adds: “A reserve fund is a signal to Congress that these are important priorities but it is merely a marker. It does not guarantee actual new funding but is more of a recommendation for the Congress to provide or authorize increased mandatory funds for these programs.”It would take new revenues such as a new tax to generate money to expand early learning programs.Advocate NowNWLC says Now is the time to act. “Your Senators and Representatives will be home until early January so… talk to them about early learning and… get them to visit programs.”Encourage our leaders to invest wisely and well in the nation’s youngest children.
December 23, 2013 by Alyssa Haywoode
Photo: Alessandra Hartkopf for Strategies for Children
Note: Best wishes to all for a happy holiday season. Eye on Early Education will resume publication on January 6, 2014.
* * * * *
“Yes, there’s a budget deal. But our work is far from over!”
That’s the message the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) is sending about the deal that was made by Budget Committee Chairs Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI).
“The total deal is $85 billion. About $45 billion of that replaces sequestration cuts in 2014,” the Washington Post explains in this summary. The deal, which has been approved by the House and the Senate, would fund the federal government for fiscal years 2014 and 2015.
It’s welcome progress, but this deal only patches holes. It does not create new programs.
Now is the time to contact members of Congress and tell them that the country needs new investments in high-quality early education programs that prepare children for lifelong success.
Patching Holes: Pending Relief for Early Learning
Hit hard by sequestration cuts, Head Start had to eliminate funding for some 57,000 slots, Education Week explains, adding that the proposed budget deal would bring some relief.
“The budget plan would restore about $22.5 billion of the domestic money for fiscal 2014. So, about 87 percent of the money could come back to agencies and funding streams that sustained cuts,” Education Week says.
Here’s the caveat: Congress would have to decide “to bring back money to every entity evenly.” And if Congress were to restore Head Start “to fiscal 2012 levels, that means less money for some other program or programs.”
NWLC does see some good news. Its letter to advocates says, “There is a bright spot for early learning that reflects your hard work.” The budget deal includes three reserve funds: “one for Child Care and Development Block Grant, one for Home Visiting, and one for the new Strong Start for Children proposal.”
The letter adds: “A reserve fund is a signal to Congress that these are important priorities but it is merely a marker. It does not guarantee actual new funding but is more of a recommendation for the Congress to provide or authorize increased mandatory funds for these programs.”
It would take new revenues such as a new tax to generate money to expand early learning programs.
Advocate Now
NWLC says Now is the time to act. “Your Senators and Representatives will be home until early January so… talk to them about early learning and… get them to visit programs.”
Encourage our leaders to invest wisely and well in the nation’s youngest children.
