Governor Brown: Prioritize Investments in Early Learning!

This month, Governor Brown released his proposed budget for FY 2017-2018 and unexpectedly announced that, despite growing state revenues, he was putting "a pause" on promised investments in childcare and early learning opportunities! Join moms from across the state in telling Governor Brown that he needs to fulfill his commitments to California's littlest learners and prioritize funding for early learning!

Leading economists agree, investments in high-quality early learning programs like preschool actually save future dollars for everyone. In fact, children who have high-quality early learning experiences are more likely to succeed in school, graduate from high school, gain stable employment, and are less likely to be arrested later in life. Studies show that high-quality early learning programs for children from birth through age five produce a 13% per year return on investment through improved results in education, health, social behaviors and employment.

In last week's budget proposal, the Governor backtracked on his promise to fund the addition of 3,000 new preschool slots and reneged on his commitment to increase early learning provider reimbursement rates, which zeroes out millions in child care and early learning spending planned for 2017-18.

We know California families are hurting. Nearly half of the state’s infants and toddlers are from families who are struggling to make ends meet [1], and only 9% of eligible families receive subsidies to help with affordability [2]. It’s painfully clear that our kids and families need a boost. In today's economy, families often need two incomes just to make ends meet. 70.5% of mothers with children under age 18 are in the labor force either out of necessity or by choice. [3] And sadly, only 3 in 10 of our littlest learners have access to affordable high-quality preschool opportunities.[4] Research tells us that high-quality early learning matters -- it provides the foundation on which our kids’ hopes and dreams will be built. Early learning (programs like preschool and childcare) is a win all-around -- for families, for communities, and for our economy.

Governor Brown: while you put our early learners on pause in this budget proposal, we want to put you on time-out until you recommit to lifting up all of California’s families! Join me in adding your name and urging the Governor to fulfill his promise to invest in early learning!

Dear Governor Brown,

This month, you released your proposed 2017-2018 State Budget, and while we were happy to see advances in areas like healthcare coverage for California's children, we were disheartened at your plan to put early learning funding "on pause" this year.

We were disappointed that the budget proposal delays the much needed increase in early learning provider reimbursement rates and postpones the addition of 3,000 new preschool slots planned for 2017-18. Providers and young children cannot afford to pause for a year.

California families are hurting. Nearly half of the state’s infants and toddlers are from families who are struggling to make ends meet, and only 9% of eligible families receive subsidies to help with affordability. It’s painfully clear that our kids and families need a boost. In today's economy, families often need two incomes just to make ends meet. 70.5% of mothers with children under age 18 are in the labor force either out of necessity or by choice. And sadly, only 3 in 10 of our littlest learners have access to affordable high-quality preschool opportunities. Research tells us that high-quality early learning matters -- it provides the foundation on which our kids’ hopes and dreams will be built. Early learning (programs like preschool and childcare) is a win all-around -- for families, for communities, and for our economy.

Please reconsider putting a pause on this essential funding that lifts up California's youngest learners and their families.

Sincerely,

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