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Fund Early Learning
Congress is now debating a key element of President Obama's Early Learning agenda: a new Early Learning Challenge Fund. If adopted, the fund would provide $8 Billion over 8 years through competitive grants for states like Washington to improve quality and access to early learning programs. A vote is expected in the U.S. House of Representatives when they return to Washington DC in early September. Please contact your representatives today. This is an opportunity our kids can't afford to miss.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , I support the Early Learning Challenge Fund in HR 3221 and am writing to ask you to vote YES on the House floor. Your support of this bill could mean a huge step forward for increasing access to high quality early learning programs for Washington's kids and families at a time when we need it most. Please vote YES to support this bill to allow states like Washington to leverage public and private resources to increase access to high quality early learning programs for our most vulnerable families.
Sincerely, |
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| Background Information |
Why are early learning opportunities important?
Ages birth to five are the critical years of a child’s development. Quality care and education at the earliest ages is the first, best and most cost-effective way to ensure that vulnerable children thrive and grow into productive adults.
One million more children age birth to five need access to full-day, full-year early learning services. Reaching more of these families with quality early childhood programs will result in improved outcomes for kids - and healthier communities.
Parents, teachers, economists, and scientists agree that quality early childhood services are among the smartest public investments.
Kids who participate in quality early learning programs are:
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29% more likely to graduate from high school
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50% less likely to reuqire special education or be held back in school
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Significantly likely to earn more as adult
High quality early childhood education for disadvantaged children has proven to decrease the need for expensive special education programs, reduce high school drop-outs, lower the number of incarcerations and prevent dependency on social services.
More Information
Read our recent blog post about Governor Gregoire's plans to create a comprehensive early learning program in Washington State.
You can learn more about opportunities to expand federal support for early learning opportunities at the First Five Years Fund.
