Seattle Moms Stand Up for Kids
NEWS RELEASE
October 29, 2009
CONTACT: Gretchen Wright, 202/371-1999
Seattle Moms Stand Up for Kids
For the first time ever, the Department of Early Learning, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Thrive by Five Washington are leading a statewide team to develop a long-term Early Learning Plan for Washington state and recommendations for the 2010 legislative session. To ensure that parents' needs and concerns are addressed in the plan, area moms, dads and others met yesterday evening with Betty Hyde, the Director of the Department of Early Learning, and Randy Dorn, the Superintendent of Public Instruction to discuss their experiences with childcare and early learning.
Last night was the first of four meetings that will be held throughout the Seattle area. A group of parents, organized by MomsRising, the League of Education Voters, the Foundation for Early Learning and Washington Head Start ECEAP attended the first meeting, held at the New School at South Shore last night.
"These meetings are an important venue for sharing our concerns about preschool, child care and other early learning opportunities," said MomsRising Executive Director Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner. "We're encouraging all our members and all their friends and neighbors to attend these meetings to ensure that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed in the Early Learning Plan."
The next meetings will be held:
Thursday, October 29th 7pm-8:30pm
Tacoma Community College
6501 S. 19th Street, Tacoma, WA 98466
Wednesday, November 4th 7pm-8:30pm
St. Luke’s Community Education Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham WA 98225
Thursday, November 5th 7pm-8:30pm
Kirkland Women's Club
407 1st St, Kirkland, WA 98033
More than 120 education professionals and policy leaders statewide are reviewing the array of early learning components, from prenatal care to preschool, to craft a long-term Early Learning Plan for the state. This past spring, the Washington legislature passed, but Governor Christine Gregoire vetoed a provision in an overall school reform bill that would have provided preschool for at-risk three- and four-year old children. The controversial move sparked concern among parents and educators. MomsRising is working to ensure that as this new Plan moves forward, parents show support for improving early learning options and have the opportunity to influence the state's approach to prenatal care, preschool and child care.
"All our children deserve to get a head start in life," said Rowe-Finkbeiner. "We can accomplish that by ensuring that pregnant women get prenatal care and that children have access to quality preschool and child care programs. This is our opportunity to make that happen."
MomsRising.org is an online and on-the-ground grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to achieve economic security for all families in the United States. MomsRising is working for paid family leave, flexible work options, affordable child care, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes so many mothers. MomsRising also advocates for healthcare for all, toxic-free environments, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America's families.
