A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR |
PARTNERSHIP RELEASES 2022 IMPACT REPORT |
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This month, the Virginia Promise Partnership is proud to release our 2022 Impact Report, "Charting the Course to 2030." The report details the work we have undertaken to meet our goal since the Partnership was established in December 2020, as well as provides an overview of our roadmap to ensuring all Virginia families have access to quality, affordable child care by 2030.
"The last year has been incredible! We are so proud of the hard work of our member organizations, subject matter experts, Child Care Champions, and - most importantly - our Promise Advocates. While there is much work left to be done, we have made incredible progress in our efforts to strengthen Virginia's child care system and none of it would have been possible without the voices and insights of our advocates," said Partnership Director Krysta Jones.
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As outlined in the Impact Report, the Partnership's roadmap outlines four priorities to reaching our bold goal, to be achieved through a phased approach designed to ensure sustainability: |
"We look forward to growing and expanding our engagement with parents, child care providers, and business and community leaders across the Commonwealth to build awareness of and support for our efforts. The Partnership is committed to achieving our 2030 goal and we won't stop until every family in Virginia has access to quality, affordable child care," said Jones.
Read our full Impact Report through the Partnership's website here. |
FEDERAL PACKAGE FALLS SHORT ON CRITICAL CHILD CARE FUNDING |
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On August 16, President Joe Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, a scaled-down version of the Biden Administration's Build Back Better proposal first introduced in 2021. The compromise package, as signed into law, is designed to reduce the deficit and lower inflation while investing in domestic energy production and lowering healthcare drug costs. While the original Build Back Better proposal included much-needed funding and support for the child care sector, we regret to report that - after months of closed-door negotiations in the Senate - the final bill stripped out these critical child care provisions.
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Without this vital support, the child care sector faces an uncertain road ahead. While Congress passed several relief packages throughout the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in historic investments in child care, these emergency funds are set to end in September 2024. If pandemic emergency funds expire without additional federal funding, states could face a potential child care "funding cliff" - or sudden loss of funding - totaling $48 billion. This would have disastrous consequences for child care providers still struggling with the impacts of the pandemic.
With the fate of federal child care funding beyond 2024 unknown, the work of Promise Advocates like you is more important than ever. We must continue to push policymakers - at the federal, state, and local level - to prioritize child care and early childhood education so that families, providers, and communities have the resources they need to thrive.
To learn about the potential 2024 child care funding cliff, read more from the Bipartisan Policy Center here. |
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Did you know the Partnership has a podcast called Promise Insider focused on child care and early childhood education advocacy in Virginia?
Subscribe and listen today through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify to hear from experts and learn how we can give children the future they want, need and deserve!
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PROVIDER AND PARENT CORNER |
Earlier this month, the Partnership and several dedicated Promise Advocates were proud to attend member organization Save the Children Action Network's (SCAN) Eastern Region Advocacy Summit 2022. During the summit, Partnership representatives had the opportunity to practice their advocacy skills, discuss best practices to maximize our impact, and network with other child care advocates.
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"The gained knowledge, competency skills, and mock practice sessions were invaluable! Even as a veteran advocate, I came back empowered and confident. There is a process and a system to learn - personalized, put into practice, and perfect," said Monica Jackson, Promise Advocate and Director of Jackson Child Care Center.
"SCAN offered a hands-on, comprehensive training that covered how to be an advocate on any issue. I learned that to be more effective, you need to bring your own story. I like SCAN staff’s enthusiasm and passion as they take a stand for children and their families' well-being," said Aisha Bhatty, Promise Advocate and family day home provider. |
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We are grateful for SCAN's membership and support, and look forward to using advocacy skills honed at the conference as we work toward our 2030 goal! |
This month, we convened Virginia Promise Partnership member organizations to discuss our latest efforts to ensure all families in Virginia have access to quality, affordable child care. |
Our August Quote of the Month comes from our Member Organization Spotlight featuring Freedom Virginia Executive Director Rhena Hicks. Freedom Virginia is a nonpartisan 501(c)4 organization committed to building a Commonwealth where all Virginia families have the freedom to thrive.
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BECOME A PROMISE ADVOCATE! |
If you haven't already, please consider joining us as a Promise Advocate - your efforts can create lasting change for our children and communities! Already joined? We need your help spreading the word. Please share with a family member, friend or colleague!
For details, visit vapromisepartnership.com! |
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1703 North Parham Road, Suite 110
Richmond, VA 23229
United States |
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