The White House Needs to Hear From You!

Congress is back at work and may decide on critical funding for child care and Head Start by the end of the week. Congress heard how important it is to not cut child care and Head Start funding, and now it’s time to tell the White House.

Today, Tuesday, November 30, advocates from across the country are contacting the White House to ask them to remind Congress not to drop 300,000 children from child care and Head Start, and to support the Early Learning Challenge Fund. The President and his important staff are key players in these funding decisions and we need to remind them that young children and families need more help now than ever.

Please contact the White House TODAY! There are two ways you can take action:

1. Leave a message for President Obama on the White House comments line in support of early childhood education programs:

• To call the comments line dial 202-456-1111. (You may need to call more than once if you get a busy signal.)
• Leave a message in the voicemail.

Sample Script: My name is ________ and I’m from (Insert Organization) in (City), (State). Please urge Congress not to drop 300,000 children from child care and Head Start. Make sure continued funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant and Head Start is NOT REDUCED in the appropriations bill and that the Early Learning Challenge Fund is included. Thank you.

2. Send President Obama an e-mail in support of early childhood education programs.

• Email the President at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact.
• You will be directed to use the web form to send the White House an email.

Sample Message: Dear President Obama, please urge Congress not to drop 300,000 children from child care and Head Start. Make sure that continued funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant and Head Start is NOT REDUCED in the FY 2011 appropriations bill and that the Early Learning Challenge Fund is included. These programs help children learn and develop skills they need to succeed in school and in life. They also give parents the support they need to be productive at work. Thank you.

Please tell your networks and friends to take action today, November 30. The more people who take action, the more our voices will be heard in this very important time.