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Send a message to your legislators about the FY09 state budget.
ACT NOW - Let your legislators know that increased investments in high-quality early education must be a top priority in the state budget.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Please increase investments in young children and high-quality early education in the state budget.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
In difficult fiscal times, it is essential that we invest in effective policies that maximize the state's resources. Research demonstrates that investments in high-quality early education lead to positive outcomes for children, communities and the economy, while yielding a substantial return on taxpayers' investment.
I ask you to make investments in young children and high-quality early education in the FY09 state budget by supporting the following recommendations:
3000-5075 MASSACHUSETTS UNIVERSAL PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM (MA UPK) - $50 million ($42.86 increase) - To improve the quality of pre-kindergarten programs for children age 2 years and 9 months to kindergarten eligibility, to be delivered through a mixed system of public and private providers.
3000-6050 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - $5.06 million ($1.95 million increase) - For professional development grants to programs working with early education and care providers.
7070-0065 EARLY EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - $6 million ($2 million increase) - Research shows that teachers' education, training and compensation levels are main determinants of early education program quality, which has a direct and positive effect on children's healthy development. Since the FY06 state budget, this program has provided over 2,500 scholarships for early educators who are pursuing higher education degrees.
7066-0000 BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION - $100,000 (new funding) - To create a new position at the Board of Higher Education responsible for the development of curriculum to address the higher educational needs of early educators.
3000-6000 QUALITY SUPPORTS - $5 million ($3.26 million increase) - To assist programs in reaching the accreditation standards established under the MA UPK program and consistent with the Early Childhood Program Standards for Three and Four Year Olds and Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences.
3000-5000 HEAD START - $10.8 million ($1.8 million increase) - For grants to Head Start programs, provided that funds from this item may be expended on Early Head Start programs.
3000-2000 ACCESS MANAGEMENT - $26.96 million ($2 million increase) - For the local and regional administration and coordination of early education and care programs.
1599-0042 RATE RESERVE - $15 million ($15 million increase) - For a reserve to further improve the quality, infrastructure, and capacity of the early education and care programs through increased reimbursement rates distributed by an equal percentage to subsidized providers, including $3 million to further increase infant and toddler reimbursement rates.
7030-1002 KINDERGARTEN EXPANSION GRANTS - $45.8 million ($12 million increase) - To provide incentives and resources to communities for the expansion and quality enhancement of full-day kindergarten programs.
Thank you for your commitment to our young children and families.
Sincerely,
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