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Seniors4Kids E-Alert

Ways to Make A Difference for Children

from Generations United

 June 27, 2013

In This Alert
Rally for Babies
Food Insecurity
Taking a Grand Stand for Nebraska's Children
Advocacy Opportunities
 Stay Connected
 
Let's Rally for the Babies!
Ever wanted to join a rally but didn't have the time or resources? Now you can. On July 8, power up your computer and join others from around the country for Rally4Babies. Use this virtual rally to tell lawmakers you support high-quality early learning and child development opportunities for children, beginning at birth. During the rally, you will see live presentations from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and have opportunities to sign the petition to show your support. Too many young children fall behind before they even step into a prekindergarten classroom; it's our job to make sure they all have access to quality early childhood learning and care. Learn more. 
Issue Spotlight:  
Food Insecurity a Huge Issue Across the Country
Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, has released "Map the Meal Gap 2013," which provides estimates of food insecurity at the county and congressional district level. Food insecurity is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's measure of the lack of access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. The report finds that food insecurity exists in virtually every county and congressional district in the nation and has a big effect on the children and families that live there. One in four children is at risk of hunger in over 1,000 counties nationwide. Learn more.
Grandparents Take a Grand Stand for Kids in Nebraska

North Platte, Nebraska may be best known for its rodeo and railroad, but on Sat., June 15, you might have thought its claim to fame was its grandparents. That day, more than 3,000 residents and visitors who gathered for the popular NebraskaLand Days Parade, proudly wore stickers reading, "Take a Grand Stand for Nebraska's Youngest Children." The stickers were their way of showing their support for the Nebraska Early Childhood Grandparent Network.  

 

Earlier in the day, at the Eagle Pork breakfast, which draws thousands of Nebraskans of all ages, grandparents and grandchildren presented thank-you cards to state senators Tom Hanson and Charlie Janssen. The cards thanked them for supporting state investments in quality early childhood experiences and relationships. See press coverage of the event and learn about how you can get involved in future Nebraska Grandparent Network events by contacting Diane Rolfsmeyer.

Advocacy Opportunities
Federal

State-by-State Breakdown of President's Early Learning Initiative

On its website, the US Department of Education now offers a state-by-state breakdown of the President's plan to increase access to high-quality early education. You can also access specific state fact sheets. Take a look at how your state is doing in comparison to others! Learn more.

ReadyNation's National Conference and Publication 

Join business leaders and public officials in Atlanta (Sept. 22 to 23) for the 2013 National Business Leader Summit on Early Childhood Investment. You'll discuss why America needs to invest in high-quality early learning so our workforce is educated, informed and ready to compete in the world marketplace. This event is hosted by ReadyNation and the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students. Registration is free, but space is limited. Learn more.


You can also view their recent report,
Championing Success: Business Organizations for Early Childhood Investments.

 

Have an opportunity you would like to share from your state? Email [email protected].

 

Colorado  

Congresswoman Discusses Effects of Sequestration, Budget Cuts

During the congressional Memorial Day recess, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette visited the  Tennyson Center for Children, in the Highland neighborhood of Denver at the invitation of  Every Child Matters, Seniors4Kids Colorado, and others. There, she met with a small group of students before heading to the gymnasium where more than 100 seniors, parents, and advocates were eager to discuss how sequestration cuts and proposed budget reductions could impact children, seniors, and families.

 

The congresswoman promised to continue to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to "find a compromise on a budget solution that protects the programs that are so critical for our children, families, and seniors." Learn what you can do to help Colorado's children.  

   

 

Kentucky  

Take Part in Statewide Call-in Day to Restore Funds for Child Care and Kinship Care

Evidence shows that low-income workers with children are more likely to get and keep their jobs if they have help paying for child care. Nonetheless, on July 1, the state of Kentucky will make major cuts to child care supports, causing 8,700 families to lose child care assistance each month.  

 

The state has also stopped new applications for the Kinship Care Program, which provides financial support to non-parental, relative caregivers, such as grandparents. Research shows that children who have been abused and neglected experience less trauma when placed with someone they know rather than with strangers. These cuts are bad for Kentucky families, bad for the state budget, and bad for the economy. Now is the time to remind Governor Beshear that Kentucky children need his help. We need you to speak up and ask him to restore funding for these important programs for children.

 

Call the Governor on Mon., July 1 at 502-564-2611. Tell him: "Cuts to child care and kinship care are hurting Kentucky's families. Please restore the child care and kinship care funding to the special session agenda. Kentucky kids can't wait until 2014 for these cuts to be restored."

   

 

Michigan

Michigan Secures $65 Million in New Pre-K Funding

Ten thousand additional Michigan four-year-olds will be in classrooms next school year, now that both Democratic and Republican legislators have passed the largest expansion in early childhood education in the nation. The $65 million expansion for the 2013-14 budget year is a major victory for business leaders, educators and children advocates, as well as Gov. Rick Snyder and legislative leaders who believed early childhood education offers a good return on investment. This will have a huge effect on Michigan's low- and moderate-income children. They can now enroll in a program proven to improve test scores and lower drop-out rates. Read more and learn how you can get involved to support Michigan's children.

 

Nebraska
Policy Makers Step Up on Behalf of Nebraska's Youngest Children 
While many representatives may disagree over certain issues, the vast majority of Nebraska's members were united over the importance of high quality childhood opportunities for their children. Because Nebraskans were vocal in their support for positive, stimulating early childhood opportunities, the 103rd Legislature weighed more carefully than ever before the quality of children's early development as a barometer for our state's educational and economic strength in years to come. 

Thank you for your part in making the 2013 legislative session a true success for our youngest children! Take time to thank our legislators for acting wisely on their understanding of the importance of early development. First Five Nebraska invites you to join them in commending the Legislature and Governor Heineman for recognizing the importance of, and investing in, the first five years. 
Please write a brief note of appreciation to your senators through the First Five Nebraska website.

 

A Successful Nebraskaland Days

A big thank you to all who participated and made the Nebraskaland Days a success for the Early Childhood Grandparents Network!

Special thanks to network members Jerry Stoll and Woody and Barb Falkena for driving their antique cars as part of the Grandparent Network's parade presence. Read media coverage.

 

New Jersey

New Jersey Child Poverty Rates on the Rise 

The Advocates for Children of New Jersey recently released a report on the health, wealth and well-being of children. This report shows that in 2011, almost one-third of New Jersey's children 5 and under were living in low-income households. The number of children living in poverty climbed 20 percent since 2011, and families with the youngest children were the hardest hit. Enrollment rose by 80 percent in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which served about 400,000 children last year. The number of students getting free or reduced-price breakfasts increased 24 percent, and lunches 17 percent.

 

SPAN (Statewide Parent Advocacy Network) works with many single-parent families who are fighting to get needed educational and therapeutic services for their children. SPAN is also working with grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. In 2011, 25,000 grandparents were raising grandchildren in New Jersey and money is especially tight for them. Read more. and learn how you can get involved to support New Jersey's children.
 
 
All supporters of Seniors4Kids receive a free subscription to GRAND, the online magazine by grandparents, for grandparents. Visit here to read the latest copy and get valuable offers, inspirational stories and more. 

Contact Us

 Generations United's Seniors4Kids
Attention: Jaia Peterson Lent ([email protected])
1331 H St. NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 2005-4739

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