Support Pre-K 4 SA Tomorrow!

In This Issue

Join Us to Support Pre-K 4 SA!

At today's Healthy Futures Alliance (HFA) meeting, members and friends of HFA heard about Mayor Castro's proposed Pre-K 4 SA initiative. HFA is overwhelmingly in support of this proposal because quality early childhood education is very effective in preventing teen pregnancy, as well as a host of other problems. Please join us tomorrow (Thursday, August 9) at City Council chambers at 2 PM to stand with Dr. Janet Realini, president of Healthy Futures of Texas, as she speaks in favor of the proposal.

This Pre-K 4 SA proposal grew out the SA2020 and the BrainPower initiative, to focus resources on the most effective way to fundamentally improve educational success for San Antonio's future. The proposal is to use a 1/8 cent sales tax (about $8 per year per family) for 8 years to create a program that will serve more of San Antonio's eligible 4 year olds; create model centers; involve parents; and train formal and informal Pre-K teachers around the city. Read more about the program here. The science supporting this approach is strong, and the program will be accountable to the public through careful evaluation.

Please join us at City Council Chambers (Municipal Plaza, 114 W. Commerce St. San Antonio 78205) at 2 PM tomorrow. Please let us know you are coming by emailing info@HealthyFuturesTX.org!. Thank you!

Thank You for a Great HFA Meeting!

Today's Healthy Futures Alliance (HFA) meeting was a great success! We had a lively discussion of HFA's Structure and Principles, and the coalition endorsed HFA's 2013 State Legislative Agenda, as well as Pre-K 4 SA. We also heard from Mario Martinez of Project WORTH, who reported on the progress of Bexar County school districts in adopting evidence-based sex education curricula.

It is clear that we have a lot of work to do! While teen pregnancy rates are falling, they are still far too high. Unplanned pregnancies are still far too many. The policy work will be uphill, and we will share more about our Legislative Agenda in future newsletters.

Many thanks to all who attended, including KENS-5 TV-(watch tonight!). Many thanks to the Healthy Futures of Texas staff, and to the Barbara Jordan Center and the staff of San Antonio Fighting Back for their hospitality! AM to 1:00 PM at the Barbara Jordan Community Center, 2803 East Commerce, San Antonio 78203.

HFA is a community coalition working with community leaders, providers, community members, youth, and young adults to prevent teen & unplanned pregnancy in San Antonio and Texas. We support using approaches that are science-based and culturally appropriate that meet the needs of our families.

Individuals and organizations are welcome to become members of HFA. There are no membership dues or attendance requirements, but membership requires endorsing HFA's Principles. Non-members are welcome to attend our open meetings, but only members can vote.

Please see our website for more information and to join the coalition.