Vote Tomorrow on Early Learning Challenge Fund

by Helen Blank, Director of Leadership and Public Policy,
National Women’s Law Center 

Tomorrow, the House of Representatives will have the opportunity to stand up for children and families when they vote on H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009. This bill includes an important new initiative that will encourage states to expand disadvantaged children’s access to high-quality early learning opportunities.  Under this Early Learning Challenge Fund initiative, states that put in place the essential elements necessary to support strong early learning programs for children from zero to five will be rewarded with grants to finance their work.  States that are committed to improving their early learning programs but need to do more will also receive support.

The Early Learning Challenge Fund outlines the key components that must be in place to ensure that families have access to high-quality child care/early learning options and sets the course for moving states in this direction.  By including this initiative as part of a broader education measure, Congress is demonstrating that it recognizes that education reform can not be successful if children do not come to school ready to succeed.  Together with expanded funding for child care and Head Start, this early learning initiative can help ensure more children are on the path to success when they enter school.

Call your Representative now and urge them to vote yes on H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, to ensure that the Early Learning Challenge Grants are enacted and funded and families have new and better early learning choices for their young children.