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Education: Afterschool and Summer Learning
Update: Calls of Support to U.S. Committee Members Needed
Background:
The draft ESEA reauthorization bill put forth by U.S. Senate HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) last week would eliminate the stand-alone, dedicated 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) funding for afterschool, before-school and summer learning programs that currently reaches more than 1.6 million students through school-community partnerships.
As the Chair of the committee, Senator Alexander's bill is the first move in partial re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) which currently includes the 21st CCLC Program. 21st CCLC Programs in NH serve over 10,000 children and youth all over the state.
We need your voices to explain the value and importance of maintaining dedicated federal funding for programs that support young people when school is out. Please urge our NH Senators to weigh in against this proposal to protect 21st CCLC with their HELP committee colleagues.
What You Can Do:
1). Call Senator Ayotte and Senator Shaheen to tell them afterschool programs in NH serve students and families with the greatest need, improve students academic success, keep kids safe, and help working families.
2). Please contact Lynn Stanley of NH Afterschool Network for more information.
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Health and Wellness: Reduce Childhood
Lead Poisoning
Update: Letters of Support Needed for Public Hearings
Background:
Each year, hundreds of NH children are found to have elevated lead levels in their blood. Because even small amounts of lead can cause children to suffer permanent adverse health effects, it is essential that lead poisonings be prevented.
SB135 aims to:
1). Institute maintenance practices which prevent lead poisoning.
2). Increase the number of children screened for lead by their pediatrician (currently only about 25% of children are screened).
3). Mandate the notification of parents and landlords of any detectable lead in a child's blood, rather than waiting until higher levels
are present.
4). Require any contractor renovating a pre-1978 home to verify they are trained in proper lead remediation techniques prior to receiving a building permit. Homeowners do not need to be similarly trained, but must be made aware of the dangers at the time of receiving a building permit.
What You Can Do:
1). Write a letter of support to be publicly submitted at House and Senate hearings. Legislators value your personal stories. Hearing dates have not yet been set, but letters can be sent to John DeJoie.
2). Please contact NH CAN Coordinator John DeJoie or Tom Irwin of Conservation Law Foundation for more information.
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Overarching: Budget
Update: HB 634 Public Hearing Set for Friday, Feb. 6
Background:
A 2015 Overarching Priority of NH CAN is to modernize NH's revenue structure to provide needed resources while decreasing the tax burden for NH families.
HB 634, which has a public hearing Friday, February 6th at 1:30 p.m., taxes capital gains and decrease taxes on interest and dividends. HB 634 will benefit the elderly who live on their investments.The bill also increases the Low and Moderate Income Property Tax Relief program.
Important Date: Public Hearing
February 6 1:30 P.M.
What You Can Do:
1). Sign in in favor of the bill, testify at the committee hearing and/or reach out to your legislators.
2). For more information, please contact NH CAN Coordinator John DeJoie or Jeff McLynch of NH Fiscal Policy Institute.
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Important Note to Partners
Future Alert Process
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Is there an important legislative issue for kids and families that you want NH CAN to take action on? Forward your alert to John DeJoie. Be sure to let us know 1).The bill number 2).What action you would like Partners to take and 3).When the action is requested by. We will publish weekly alerts throughout the legislative session.
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Article Headline
 NH Kids Count
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