There is currently a bill in Washington DC to provide additional funding for Early Intervention Programs and Preschool Special Education Programs nationwide. Please contact your legislator and ask them to support this bill for the benefit of our littles.
Advocacy at Home
Our members of Congress
are back in their home districts for two more weeks. This is a prime time for
us to personally reach out and ask for their support for early childhood and
IDEA funding.
How you
can Advocate at Home
Invite your members of
congress to an in-person meeting or attend a town hall- invite
them for coffee, to visit your community, school or program, or to meet with
you and the children and families you serve. Meeting in person is a great way
for members of congress to see firsthand how children and families benefit from
additional funding, to make a connection with you as a resource on IDEA and
early childhood issues and put a human face to the decisions they are making in
DC.
At the very least, we can
all call or email to share our stories.
·
Ask for their commitment
to support the early education of young children.
·
Share how increased
funding will benefit those we serve.
Find your Elected Officials
Prepare
Read
up on the issues and the position of your member of Congress. CEC has put
together Issue Briefs to make it easy for you
to educate yourself and your members of Congress.
Have your “Ask” ready
Ask
your House Representative to support the bipartisan bill H.R. 4107
Funding Early Childhood in IDEA is the Right IDEA, which creates new
authorization levels for IDEA Part C and Part B Section 619 (preschool)
programs.
Ask
your Representative and Senators to support Full Funding of IDEA.
The House bill is H.R. 1878 and the Senate bill is S. 866.
Follow-up
Always
end on a positive by thanking your member of Congress for their time and
efforts. Provide them with your contact information should they have questions.
