Action Alert — January 31, 2011

Action Alert

Upcoming Advocacy in 2011
Illinois’s budget process for Fiscal Year 2012 is beginning while legislators in Washington are still wrapping up the FY 2011 budget process and starting to think about 2012. As these processes unfold, we will be calling on you to take timely actions to ensure the protection of early childhood programs at both state and federal levels. Look for upcoming Action Alerts for information and to find out how you can help make a difference.

Federal Appropriations Sign-On Letter              Respond by February 1, 2011

Most immediately, we need you to join other early childhood advocates across the country in calling on federal legislators to protect funding for Early Head Start, Head Start, Child Care in the final FY 2011 budget.
      Please join the Ounce of Prevention Fund and our national advocacy partners by signing on to this letter asking legislators to maintain funding for these critical early childhood programs. The goal is to have hundreds of national, state, and local organizations sign the letter. Please help us reach our goal by signing and forwarding on to your networks.

Early Childhood Advocacy Day 2011— Save the Date!   April 7
Join us on April 7th for the Ounce's annual Early Childhood Advocacy Day. Each year, the Ounce of Prevention Fund brings early childhood advocates—teachers, program directors, and parents—from around the state to Springfield to talk with legislators. This year, lawmakers must hear from us about the urgent need to protect Illinois's investments in early learning. We'll provide attendees with a legislative update, advocacy tips, and everything you need to be an effective advocate. Look for more details and registration for Advocacy Day 2011 coming soon.

Check out last year’s Advocacy Day activities to see the impact that early childhood supporters made.