Pre-K Today

United Way is part of Pre-K Today, a statewide non-partisan campaign working to secure state funding for voluntary high-quality pre-kindergarten programs that will prepare more Pennsylvania children to enter school ready to learn and prepared to succeed. If the Pre-K budget proposed by the Governor is enacted by the PA General Assembly, 11,000 “at-risk” 3- & 4- year old children would receive high quality Pre K in 2008.

We also strongly support expanding Keystone STARS, to improve child care quality, and Child Care Works, to assure access to quality care for working families.

UPDATE:

6/25/07 - The Pennsylvania Senate passed a version of the budget bill that includes major reductions in the Governor’s early childhood education proposals. The bill is currently pending before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Key members of the Senate, House, and the Governor’s Administration are continuing high-level budget negotiations.

Please contact these key budget negotiators TODAY and urge them to fully fund early education in the final State budget.

Thank you for your efforts!

6/19/07 - Tomorrow the Pennsylvania Senate may vote on a budget bill that includes a major reduction in funding to the governor's pre-K proposal. While the bill is moving through the Senate, high level negotiations will continue. So, it is more important than ever to contact House and Senate negotiators to make pre-K a part of the final budget. We know that we asked you to do this last week, but we really need you to contact them again.

Please contact the budget negotiators TODAY and urge them to stand firm in their commitment to pre-K.

Last week the Senate Appropriations Committee amended the House budget bill and included the full amount for child care proposed by the Governor, but only increased the Accountability Block Grant by $25 million, $75 million less than the Governor requested. This means that at best - Pre K Counts would be funded at $25 million, but it could not be funded at all!

The full Senate is expected to move the budget bill on Tuesday and could reach the House shortly thereafter, so we need your help today.

Please contact the budget negotiators TODAY and urge them to stand firm in their commitment to pre-K.

This battle could be won or lost over the next couple of days and the tipping point could be YOUR message.

Thank you!

6/14/07 - The full Senate is expected to vote on the Senate Appropriations budget June 18th or 19th. Because they supported the child care funding as requested by the Governor (and voted for by the House weeks ago), it is highly likely that the child care funding was passed. This is great news for child care centers and United Way’s Success by Six. The Senate Appropriations eliminated all of the Governor’s education proposals, which include Pre K.

Without serious and intense advocacy, there is a good chance that Pre K loses -- unless we do something now!

United Way urges you to send a letter to House and Senate leaders, and the Governor Urging them to keep Pre-K on the table during budget negotiations.

6/13/07 - The Pennsylvania budget bill (HB 1286) was reported out of the PA Senate Appropriations Committee June 13th with child care fully funded as requested by the Governor. However, the Education Accountability Block Grant, which would fund the Pre K program that we are advocating for, was increased by only $25 million, $75 million less than the Governor request. United Way fears that the funds will not be earmarked for pre-K, but for a general increase in the Block Grant for other services.

For information on Pre K, go to www.prektoday.org.

Endorse Pre-K Today! Whether you’re a teacher, parent, business leader or another concerned Pennsylvanian, you can add your personal voice to the campaign. Please reach out to your family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers and ask them to join you. Click here to endorse the campaign.

“FOCUS ON LOCAL!” This initiative will be won in your backyards! If you’ve had any kind of contact with a legislator or legislative staff person — face-to-face, on the phone, or in response to a letter or email you sent — please record your communication using our online survey tool. Any kind of communication that elicited a response can be recorded in the survey tool.

• United Way dollars and programs touch one in four individuals in our region.
• Our goal is that everyone in our region can reach his or her full potential.