Across the early childhood world there is an effort to call Congress today, Monday, November 15 and early this week. As the lame duck Congress returns, if they fail to pass the Appropriations bill that impacts Head Start, Early Head Start, and childcare, up to 300,000 children will likely lose service . . . and there could be no cost of living and/or quality dollars for programs to improve quality. Instead, appropriations funding would be left in the hands of the new Congress, with many members of Congress pledging to make massive cuts in federal spending!
Head Start & Early Head Start program staff please note: This is regarding PENDING LEGISLATION. Therefore you cannot use federal phones, e-mail, time, or office space when contacting your legislators about the bill. Use your personal time and resources. It will take you less than five minutes and it is a toll-free call–PLEASE DO commit to phoning!
- 300,000 children could lose childcare and Head Start if you don’t call today, Monday, November 15!
- Congress is back in Washington today and has limited time to do some important work: ensure that funding is not cut for childcare and Head Start before the end of the year.
- As many as 300,000 children shouldn’t be dropped from childcare and Head Start, and we need to create the Early Learning Challenge Fund to encourage states to do even better for young children and families. In Wisconsin, up to 4,000 children could be dropped from childcare and Head Start without Congressional action. A reduction in federal childcare money could jeopardize implementation of YoungStar as well.
- Congress is considering appropriations bills that could go backwards in spending for childcare and Head Start, and would lose the Early Learning Challenge Fund. Tell Congress to move forward and fund the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Head Start, and the Early Learning Challenge Fund.
Instructions for Contacting Congress Today:
- Call Congress at 1-888-460-0813.
- The first person to answer the phone will be an operator who will ask how you want to be connected.
- Tell the operator the name of your Member of Congress. Not sure? Look it up here: http://action.nwlc.org/find_your_elected_officials
- Once you are connected to the office of your Member of Congress, a staff person will answer the phone.
- Tell the staff person: My name is (name) and I am calling from (city, state) and I am (your role). Don’t drop 300,000 children from childcare and Head Start. Make sure that continued funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant and Head Start is NOT REDUCED in the appropriations bill and that the Early Learning Challenge Fund is included. We are counting on you here in Wisconsin. Thank you.
- Then, hang up and ask five friends or coworkers to make a call as well.
