2/12/13
Assembly
QUALITYstarsNY sign on letter
Letter to
Speaker of the Assembly on QUALITYstarsNY
As
budget amendments are due, there is also a letter being circulated asking
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to add funding for QUALITYstarsNY to the New York
State budget.
Last year, the State
Education Department (SED) awarded a $4 million grant to implement
QUALITYstarsNY in child care programs in high-needs school districts over a
three-year period. There are about 400 programs that are presently evaluated
and supported by QUALITYstarsNY thanks to the grant. While this is a great
start, 400 programs are only a small part of the over 20,000 regulated early
child care programs in New York State.
An
investment of $5 million would build on SED’s grant by supporting partial implementation
of QUALITYstarsNY in early child care programs throughout the state.
If
you do not see your Assemblyperson on this list attached with a number 1 next
to their name, please contact them and make sure they sign on to this important
letter. Calls from constituents make a big difference. The deadline is COB, today, February 12, 2013!
Thank
you!
Sincerely,
Jessica
Policy
Associate
(518)
690-4217 ex. 32
2/13/13
Letter to
Speaker of the Assembly on QUALITYstarsNY
Yesterday,
Governor Cuomo released his 21 day budget amendments. While they did not
include funding for any of our issues, sources on the Governor’s staff state
that there will be an additional round of 30 day amendments.
Furthermore,
the deadline for the budget letter being circulated by Assemblymember Amy
Paulin asking Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to add funding for QUALITYstarsNY
to the New York State budget has been extended to COB, today February 13, 2013!
Last year, the State
Education Department (SED) awarded a $4 million grant to implement
QUALITYstarsNY in child care programs in high-needs school districts over a
three-year period. There are about 400 programs that are presently evaluated and
supported by QUALITYstarsNY thanks to the grant. While this is a great start,
400 programs are only a small part of the over 20,000 regulated early child
care programs in New York State.
An
investment of $5 million would build on SED’s grant by supporting partial
implementation of QUALITYstarsNY in early child care programs throughout the
state.
Please look at the attached list and see if your Assemblymember
has signed-on. If there is a “1” next to his/her name, s/he has
signed. If there is not a “1” next to his/her name, s/he has not.
Those identified in red are members that signed on last year. If s/he has not signed on,
please call your Assemblymember(s) and ask him/her to sign-on to the letter. The Assemblymember
simply needs to call Assemblywoman Paulin’s office and say they want to sign-on
to THE QUALITYstarsNY budget letter!
Calls
from constituents make a big difference.
Thank
you!
Sincerely,
Jessica
Policy
Associate
(518)
690-4217 ex. 32
2/15/13
Our Budget Strategy
Albany
will be a little quieter next week as legislators remain in their districts for
the week. This is a great opportunity to visit their local offices to
discuss budget priorities and establish a connection with their them and their
staff.
So
far, as a response to the Governor’s Executive Budget, the Early Care &
Learning Council has:
·
Delivered budget testimony to the Human Services Budget
Committee;
·
Submitted budget testimony to the Economic Development Budget
Committee;
·
Submitted a Budget Amendment Letter to the Governor’s office;
·
Met with several Legislators on our budget priorities;
·
Spoken with the Governor’s staff;
·
Participated in the Advocacy efforts and events of Winning
Beginning NY and partners;
·
Assisted Assemblywoman Amy Paulin’s office in writing and
distributing a Dear Speaker letter requesting funding for QUALITYstarsNY.
The letter was submitted to Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver with 44
Assemblymembers signed on.
Our
budget asks need to be supported by your stories! How have the children and
families in your community been impacted by contract cuts and flat funding of
subsidies while child care costs continue to rise? How has QUALITYstarsNY
changed the programs in your community and how could non-participating programs
benefit from an expansion? Legislators want to hear about community
impact!
Coming Soon:
·
The Early Care & Learning Council Legislative Agenda
·
Materials for Albany Advocacy
And
please don’t forget to RSVP to me at jklos@earlycarecareanlearning.org
by 2/20 to let know if you and your organization will be coming to Albany for
CCR&R Winning Beginning Wednesday on
the 27th!
The
network needs you in Albany to tell your story!
The
Council will remain at a table in the Liberty Cafe on the Empire State Plaza
until 2:30pm on the 27th to answer your questions and discuss your
meetings throughout the day. Please remember each organization is
responsible for making their own meeting appointments. The Liberty Cafe is
located just outside of Legislative Office Building and Capitol security.
Stay
tuned for more updates.
Sincerely,
Jessica
Policy
Associate
(518) 690-4217 ex. 32
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