On February 19th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a spending bill (H.R. 1 - Continuing Resolution) for the remainder of FY 2011 that included drastic cuts for early childhood programs. Last year, Congress failed to pass a budget, leaving a temporary spending provision in place until March 4th.Congress must pass a FY 2011 budget by that time to avoid a government shutdown.
The House bill will be taken up by the Senate, which has not released its own budget proposal for FY 2011 in the next few days. The funding cuts contained in H.R. 1 include:
- Elimination of the funds for Even Start grants.
Robbinsdale Area Schools is one of only four sites in Minnesota to have an Even Start Family Literacy Program. We are in danger of losing this valuable program because of the actions stated above.
The Family Literacy program serves recent immigrants to our country by providing a literacy-based preschool to the children, and providing English Language classes to parents, as well as parent education and connections to community resources.
Robbinsdale Area Schools Family Literacy program has proven results. The program has documented that it prepares children for Kindergarten, and provides English Language skills to the parents. One telling statistic about the program is that 100% of 4-5 year olds in the program for one year or more scored in the age appropriate range for English vocabulary.
Action needed to save our Even Start Family Literacy Program:
Please contact our Senators and urge that this proven program with proven results not be cut and leave the currently enrolled 55 adults and their 83 children
without this valuable program.
Senator Amy Klobuchar
202-224-3244
http://klobuchar.senate.gov
Senator Al Franken
202-224-5641
info@Franken.senate.gov
Thank you for taking action to help save
this valuable program!!
Robbinsdale Area Schools Legislative Action Coalition 763-504-4087
