EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION ADVOCATES RALLY FOR QUALITY FUNDING

By Rebecca Kann

Over 450 advocates from the early childhood education community rallied at the Capitol today, letting legislators know about current programs. The goal was to ask for increased funding for Pennsylvania’s Pre-K Counts, Keystone STARS and Child Care Works Programs. Diana Dixon of the PA Child Care Association (PACCA) presided over the press conference, introducing many important speakers. She noted the advocacy groups were celebrating the tenth anniversary of the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program. T.E.A.C.H. stands for Teacher Education and Compensation Helps, Dixon explained.

Rep. Tony Payton, Jr. (D-Philadelphia) said this funding is a “no brainer” and noted 11,022 constituents currently on the waiting list for subsidized child care in his district. He announced he will be introducing an amendment to increase this funding by $9 million.

Rep. Paul Costa (D-Allegheny) said the most critical decision parents make is who is going to care for their children while they are at work. Turnover for child care is the biggest problem, he stated, adding that it is as high as 40-48% at times. Children benefit by having consistent care and learning, he said.

Harriet Dichter, Deputy Secretary of the PA Department of Education’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning, encouraged everyone to take the time to invite legislators to see these programs in action back in everyone’s districts. Over the past year, she said, TANF families have reached 60% enrolled in the Child Care Works Program. A year ago we were only at 30%, she said. The Child Care Works application is now online, she also mentioned.

Dixon next introduced some T.E.A.C.H. program guests, only one of whom was present, Julie Kincak. Kincak is the T.E.A.C.H. Sponsoring Director of the UPMC Children’s Hospital, Diana said. Kincak spoke about the success of her T.E.A.C.H. program and what it means to those who are in it. She said the answers she received when she asked the question of what impact has the T.E.A.C.H. Program had included financial impacts, opportunities, the chance to make a difference, self-respect gained, self-confidence gained and lastly, knowledge.

Bruce Clash, State Director of Fight Crime, Invest in Kids noted law enforcement leaders know fighting crime begins with early childhood education. He said children are 70% less likely to become violent criminals if they receive adequate early education.

Joan Benso, President of PA Partnerships for Children (PPC) noted that over 5,000 professionals have improved their careers and lives through the T.E.A.C.H. program. She said they will keep coming back to the Capitol year after year until all children have adequate early education opportunities. Yesterday Benso said she was at a meeting with Senator Casey on his “Starting Early Starting Right” bill and said in the last five years the most significant improvements have been made.

Rev. Sharon Easterling, Chair of the QUEST Coalition and also involved with the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC) said “we’re not done yet.” We’ve begun a process that completely transforms early childhood education, she said. Early childhood workers deserve to earn a respectable wage, she continued, and said they cannot afford to be sick but are constantly exposed to illness. They need ample health insurance, she stated.

Dixon concluded by thanking other legislators who stopped by the press conference, Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery) and Senator Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester).

Click here to view highlights of 2008 Early Childhood Education Initiatives.

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