Dear friend,

Now, more than ever, we need your active involvement in e-advocacy efforts to ensure that our youngest learners get quality child care and early education services. Advocacy works! Two weeks ago we asked you to call the Chair of the Assembly Social Services Committee and ask him to move A. 3657, a child support requirement bill, out of that committee. You did and he moved the bill!

You can make a difference by sharing this message with friends, colleagues and others who are not members of the Winning Beginning NY campaign. Or, direct them to our website where they can sign up and become e-advocates.

We have more battles ahead and need to grow our ranks – and amplify our voices.

PreK Now recently released Leadership Matters: Governors’ Pre-K Proposals Fiscal Year 2010. The report details Governor Paterson’s decision to fund Pre-K in 2009-10 at the amount spent by school districts in 2008-09, as opposed to the amount allocated in 2008-09. As a result, no additional districts will be able to offer Pre-K programs in the upcoming fiscal year! Needless to say, the overall picture of Pre-K in New York State is less than flattering.

Winning Beginning NY will address the Pre-K budget shortfall with a campaign of Take Action messages - and we’re counting on YOU to participate!

We need active e-advocates TODAY, who will help us make important strides on Pre-K and other early care and learning issues.

Thank you for your support of our efforts.

Sincerely,

Jenn O’Connor
Winning Beginning NY