The  Women's Leadership Initiative supports home visiting programs that help improve the early development of children. It takes private and public dollars to run these programs and they need your help now to restore funding.

The recent recession has caused unprecedented challenges for Virginia's vulnerable families. At the same time that needs are increasing, tightening state budgets led to significant cuts in funding to Healthy Families of Virginia and CHIP of Virginia, the two largest state-supported home visiting providers.

Elected officials in the Virginia General Assembly want to know what you think.  Please let them know you support the following: 

For these House budget amendments:

Item 297 #4h restores $757,956 that would have been cut from the state budget in the upcoming year for CHIP of Virginia. Chief Patron is Delegate Rosalyn Dance.

Item 343 #1h restores $190,000 that would have been cut from the state budget in the upcoming year, which is partially restoring an ongoing cut made in previous years for Healthy Families Virginia. Chief Patron is Delegate Chris Peace.

Contact these House subcommittee members:

For these Senate budget amendments:

Item 297 #4s restores the $757,956 that would have been cut from the state budget in the upcoming year for CHIP of Virginia. Chief Patron is Emmett Hanger.

Item 343 #8s restores $190,000 that would have been cut from the state budget in the upcoming year, which is partially restoring an ongoing cut made in previous years for Healthy Families Virginia. Chief Patron is Janet Howell.

Contact these Senate subcommittee members:

The timeframe for making contact should be by the end of next week (January 25). 

In addition, it is a nice gesture to thank the patron of an amendment for their efforts.

If you have any questions, please contact Joan Marable, United Way's Director of Marketing and Engagement at marablej@yourunitedway.org, (804) 225-7917.