This letter was sent to Senate offices on March 13th urging opposition to S.Amdt.2820, an amendment sponsored by Senator Lee to the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Reauthorization Act of 2013 (S.1086) that would require SSNs for children to receive the benefits under CCDBG. The amendment would require parents to provide the social security numbers of children who apply for child care assistance before a family can receive the child care benefit. This amendment would force states to implement undue bureaucratic and costly changes to their child care assistance processes, and will make it more difficult for the most vulnerable families to receive child care assistance.

The First Focus Campaign for Children sent this letter to the Senate on March 5, 2014 with the expectation that the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Reauthorization Act of 2013 would be considered on the Senate Floor the following day, March 6th. The letter points out that it has been 18 years since CCDBG was reauthorized and urges all Senators to vote for the bill with no significant changes through the amendment process. As the letter states, this will improve child care for all children and close health and safety loopholes in federally subsidized child care.

Washington — Today, the First Focus Campaign for Children, a national bipartisan children’s advocacy group, recognized Representative Karen Bass for her leadership on issues important to children during 2013.

“Lots of politicians talk about kids’ issues, but few back it up,” said Bruce Lesley, president of the Campaign for Children. “Representative Bass delivered for kids.”

In selecting Champions and Defenders, the First Focus Campaign for Children noted leaders who introduced, co-sponsored, and voted for legislation to meet children’s needs. In addition, the organization considered Members who demonstrated extraordinary initiative by spearheading activities such as sponsoring hearings or garnering the support of their colleagues to improve the health and well-being of children. In recognizing Rep. Bass as a Champion for Children, the advocacy group cited her leadership on child abuse and neglect prevention and response.

The advocacy organization recognized as “Champions for Children” 50 Members of Congress for their extraordinary efforts to protect and improve the future of America’s next generation. An additional 50 Members were recognized as “Defenders of Children” for their support of policies that advance the well-being of children. The 2013 Champions and Defenders are:

2013 Champions for Children

Champions for Children made extraordinary efforts to protect and improve the future of America's next generation.

Senate

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA)
Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS)
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)

House

Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA)
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA)
Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA)
Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL)
Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA)
Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI)
Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL)
Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO)
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)
Rep. Gene Green (D-TX)
Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ)
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY)
Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL)
Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY)
Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX)
Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA)
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN)
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA)
Rep. George Miller (D-CA)
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI)
Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX)
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY)
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA)
Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA)
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

2013 Defenders of Children

Defenders of Children supported efforts to advance policies to improve the well-being of America's children.

Senate

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT)
Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH)
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

House

Del. Donna Christensen (D-VI)
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY)
Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC)
Rep. John Conyers (D-MI)
Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA)
Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY)
Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL)
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
Rep. David Joyce (R-OH)
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)
Rep. Peter King (R-NY)
Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI)
Rep. Sandy Levin (D-MI)
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ)
Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA)
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA)
Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ)
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI)
Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO)
Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA)
Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY)
Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA)
Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA)
Rep. José Serrano (D-NY)
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH)
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY)
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
Rep. David Valadao (R-CA)
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA)
Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL)

This is the Campaign for Children’s fourth annual class of Champions for Children. For more information about past honorees, visit www.ffcampaignforchildren.org.

High quality early childhood education and care are essential for children’s ability to fulfill their potential later in life, yet too many young children in America today can’t access high quality early education and care. This statement briefly summarizes the volumes of research that show the long term positive impact of early education and goes on to explain that the high cost of private preschool and the limited availability of existing publicly funded early education initiatives means that many children are left out. Though many states and localities have increased investment in early childhood education, with a slow economic recovery relying on state and local funds is not sufficient to ensure high quality and broad access. The statement also includes a list of actions Congress can take to improve the system of early childhood education and care and ensure that every child has access to a high-quality early education experience.

Washington — Today, the First Focus Campaign for Children, a national bipartisan children’s advocacy group, recognized 100 Members of Congress for leadership on issues important to children during 2013.

“Lots of politicians talk about kids’ issues, but few back it up,” said Bruce Lesley, president of the Campaign for Children. “Champions and Defenders delivered for kids.”

The advocacy organization recognized as “Champions for Children” 50 Members of Congress for their extraordinary efforts to protect and improve the future of America’s next generation. An additional 50 Members were recognized as “Defenders of Children” for their support of policies that advance the well-being of children.

In selecting Champions and Defenders, the First Focus Campaign for Children noted leaders who introduced, co-sponsored, and voted for legislation to meet children’s needs. In addition, the organization considered Members who demonstrated extraordinary initiative by spearheading activities such as sponsoring hearings or garnering the support of their colleagues to improve the health and well-being of children. The 2013 Champions and Defenders are:

2013 Champions for Children

Champions for Children made extraordinary efforts to protect and improve the future of America's next generation.

Senate

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA)
Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS)
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)

House

Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA)
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA)
Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA)
Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL)
Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA)
Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI)
Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL)
Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO)
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)
Rep. Gene Green (D-TX)
Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ)
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY)
Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL)
Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY)
Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX)
Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA)
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN)
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA)
Rep. George Miller (D-CA)
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI)
Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX)
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY)
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA)
Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA)
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

2013 Defenders of Children

Defenders of Children supported efforts to advance policies to improve the well-being of America's children.

Senate

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT)
Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH)
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

House

Del. Donna Christensen (D-VI)
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY)
Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC)
Rep. John Conyers (D-MI)
Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA)
Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY)
Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL)
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
Rep. David Joyce (R-OH)
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)
Rep. Peter King (R-NY)
Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI)
Rep. Sandy Levin (D-MI)
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ)
Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA)
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA)
Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ)
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI)
Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO)
Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA)
Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY)
Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA)
Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA)
Rep. José Serrano (D-NY)
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH)
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY)
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
Rep. David Valadao (R-CA)
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA)
Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL)

This is the Campaign for Children’s fourth annual class of Champions for Children. For more information about past honorees, visit www.ffcampaignforchildren.org.

# # #

The First Focus Campaign for Children recognized the 2013 Champions for Children and Defenders of Children on Wednesday, December 11th, 2013 in The Hill newspaper.

Important legislation to increase children’s access to high-quality early education was introduced in Congress yesterday. First Focus Campaign for Children supports the Strong Start for America's Children Act, a bipartisan bill that will provide access to high-quality pre-kindergarten (pre-K) for low- and moderate-income children to ensure kindergarten readiness and create a continuum of early education for children from birth to age 5.

The bill will create a state-federal partnership to fund preschool for four-year old children from families earning below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). A similar federal-state partnership can be found in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which, like the Strong Start for America’s Children Act, requires states to meet quality benchmarks but also allows them flexibility to implement the program in the best way for their state. CHIP is also bipartisan and has had great success at increasing children’s access to health insurance.

To qualify for funding from this bill, states must have: established early learning standards appropriately aligned with its K-12 system, the ability to link preschool data into its K-12 system for children in federally-funded early childhood education programs through a state-assigned student identifier number, an established State Early Childhood Education and Care Council, and ability to provide state-funded kindergarten.

States will also be required to report on performance measures and targets that include increasing school readiness, narrowing school readiness gaps, reducing special education placements, and reducing the need for grade retention. This will ensure that state pre-K initiatives are effectively serving children with high-quality early education experiences, and allow states to improve their pre-K initiatives over time.

Within each state, providers will be expected to meet specific standards in order to receive subgrants from the state. These quality provisions include: requiring high staff qualifications, ability to offer a full-day program, and the ability to provide developmentally-appropriate, evidence-based curricular and learning environments aligned with the state’s early learning standards.

The importance of access to high-quality early education is well documented. This legislation turns research into policy, and gives our children the opportunity to enhance their social and emotional development by participating in engaging and safe environments.

Senators Harkin, Murray, Casey, Sanders, Murphy, Baldwin, Warren, Hirono, Coons, Kaine, Gillbrand and Wyden, and Representatives George Miller, and Richard Hanna have shown a dedication to investing in our nation’s children to ensure they are ready to learn when they enter kindergarten, benefiting those children, their families, and the entire country.

On November 13th, Representative Richard Hanna, Representative George Miller, and Senator Tom Harkin introduced the Strong Start for America’s Children Act. This is a letter of support to Congressman Hanna that highlights the current state of early education in America, the inequities inherent in access to early education, and how this proposal to expand access to preschool for children from low- and moderate-income families will positively impact these children, their families, and the entire country. A similar letter was also sent to the other sponsors of the legislation, Senator Harkin and Congressman Miller.

Washington – The First Focus Campaign for Children, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization, today endorsed comprehensive early education legislation making quality pre-Kindergarten (pre-K) affordable for every child in America. The Strong Start for America's Children Act was introduced today in the U.S. Senate by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman George Miller (D-CA) and Congressman Richard Hanna (R-NY).

“High-quality pre-K cultivates the ‘soft skills’ prized by employers, so this legislation gives today’s kids a better chance to compete in tomorrow’s economy,” said First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley.

The legislation would make high-quality pre-K affordable by establishing a federal-state funding partnership similar in concept to the highly successful and bipartisan Children’s Health Insurance Program. It authorizes nearly $27 billion in federal funding to support qualifying state pre-K initiatives over five years (2014 through 2018), and it authorizes additional appropriations through 2023. States receiving federal funds must ensure that high-quality pre-K:

• Is affordable – for all four-year-olds in families with annual incomes under 200 percent of the federal poverty level (about $23,500 for a family of four, in 2013);
• Works for all children – by establishing early learning standards that align with their K-12 education systems and are appropriate for the children they serve, taking into account their developmental, language, and cultural needs;
• Meets quality standards – like minimum staff qualifications, evidence-based maximum class size, child-to-staff ratios, and health and safety standards, and provides comprehensive services including nutrition, health screenings, physical activity opportunities, and opportunities to engage families; and
• Improves outcomes – though it prohibits states from relying on a single assessment, the bill requires that states report on their progress increasing school readiness, narrowing school readiness gaps between children of different races and incomes, and reducing special education placements.

Children who attend high-quality pre-K programs show improved academic achievement and are less likely to drop out of school, become teen parents, or be convicted of a crime later in life. But existing pre-K initiatives vary considerably in quality, and at an average cost of about $8,800 a year, high-quality private pre-K programs are out of reach for many families. Children in Latino families are much less likely than their peers to have access to affordable, high-quality pre-K.

“It’s about fairness – quality pre-K levels the playing field, especially for poor kids, but it only works if parents can afford to enroll their kids,” said Lesley.

The legislation also recognizes the linkages between pre-K and early care and education for infants and toddlers. With center-based child care costing more than public college tuition in many states, parents often face difficult choices while at school or at work. To address this, the bill authorizes more than $1.4 billion to support partnerships between Early Head Start centers and child care providers serving children through age three. The proposal also establishes new partnerships to improve child care quality and dependability for participating children.

“Pre-K doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and we’ll get better lifelong results if we get child care and early education right from the start,” said Lesley.

Children’s Budget 2013, released by First Focus in July, found that 7.82 percent of federal spending is invested in initiatives serving America’s children. The more than $31.5 billion in new early childhood care and education investments in the Harkin/Miller-Hanna proposal would increase that share to 8.7%.

“Children are often an afterthought in federal budget debates, so it’s encouraging to see Republicans and Democrats working together on a significant new investment in America’s children,” said Lesley.

# # #

The First Focus Campaign for Children is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization affiliated with First Focus, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization. The Campaign for Children advocates directly for legislative change in Congress to ensure children and families are the priority in federal policy and budget decisions. For more information, visit www.ffcampaignforchildren.org.

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Prepare All Kids Act (S.502) on March 7, 2013. Much like the plan for pre-K that the President announced in the State of the Union, this bill would make a necessary federal investment in early childhood education by creating state-federal partnerships to fund high-quality pre-K programs. The Prepare All Kids act prioritizes access for children in low-income families, English language learners, and children with disabilities to ensure that children who often cannot access other forms of pre-K will be included in these high-quality programs. In this letter, First Focus Campaign for Children expresses our support for this legislation and thanks Senator Casey for his continued work to increase access to high-quality pre-K programs.