Support Early Education Funding
Research shows preschool-age years are critical for cognitive and social development, laying a foundation for success in college, work and life. To effectively reduce the high school dropout rate, we must begin by improving access to quality and affordable child care and early childhood education.
Funding for child care, Head Start, and Early Head Start is at risk for budget cuts. With your help, we can show a broad base of national, state, and local support for investments in early childhood.
In the link below, the United Way has drafted a sample letter to send to Congress:
As a United Way supporter, I am writing to urge you to ensure that there is sufficient funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Head Start, and Early Head Start.
Today, less than 40% of children enter school with the skills needed to succeed: the ability to recognize their letters, count to 20, write their name and read (or pretend to read). Young children without these skills, often from minority and low-income households, enter school at a disadvantage and are less likely to excel academically in the years to come.
To move forward as a country, we must begin by improving access to quality and affordable child care and early childhood education. I urge you to strongly support America's commitment to the Child Care and Development Block Grant, Head Start and Early Head Start, as well as early intervention programs for infants, toddlers and preschool-age children, and establishment of an Early Learning Challenge Fund.
Send this letter--or write your own-- to the House and Senate and help show your support for investments in early childhood.
