Email Update

WE NEED YOUR VOICE! 

GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN PROPOSES INCREASED CHILD CARE INVESTMENTS FOLLOWING LAUNCH OF NEW CAMPAIGN

On December 20, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin released his proposed biennial budget for fiscal year (FY) 2025 and 2026 following the announcement of his Building Blocks for Virginia Families plan earlier in the month. As previewed in the announcement, the proposed budget includes new funding for several key early childhood care and education (ECCE) programs, including: 

• Mixed Delivery Program - $36.5 million in each year
• Child Care Subsidy Program - $213 million in FY25 and $237 million in FY26
• Early Learning Capital Incentives Fund - $25 million in FY25
  • This is a competitive grant fund to increase supply of quality ECCE in childcare deserts.
• Digital Wallet - $1 million in FY25
  • This platform would facilitate child care cost-sharing.

Release of the proposal comes after the launch of the Gotta Have Child Care campaign on December 4. The campaign, sponsored by the Virginia Promise Partnership, the Virginia Business Roundtable for Early Education and the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, focuses on the critical importance of additional investments needed to meet family demand for quality child care services.

The Governor's budget proposes a significant investment in Virginia's child care system; more work remains to reach the funding levels necessary to ensure access to quality child care for Virginia’s children and families and to get the budget across the finish line. Under the Gotta Have Child Care campaign, we will continue advocating for additional investments to reach the necessary $275 million in FY25 and $325 million in FY26. 

Read our full joint statement on Governor Youngkin's Building Blocks for Virginia Families plan here. Find a link below to a flier to spread the word about our advocacy efforts! 

UPCOMING ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES 

• January 23 | VIRTUAL Advocacy Training to prepare for our Virginia Promise Partnership Lobby Day | Register HERE! 
  • Two sessions available - 1:00-2:00pm OR 7:00-8:00pm
• January 25 | Virginia Promise Partnership General Assembly Lobby Day | Register HERE!

NEW VIRGINIA POLL SHOWS SUPPORT OF INCREASED CHILD CARE FUNDING

Last month, the Partnership released a new poll showing strong support for increased child care funding among participating Virginia voters. In the newly released poll, 86 percent of survey respondents – including 76 percent of Republicans and 98 percent of Democrats – believe it is important for the General Assembly to prioritize access to affordable early childhood education.

The poll found that two-thirds (66 percent) of individuals polled support an increase in state funding through the General Assembly to expand access to affordable child care for low-income and other eligible families. Further, 79 percent of Virginians polled agree that increased access to early childhood education would equip students to be more prepared for success in K-12 schools and higher education. 

Read our full press release on the poll here and more on the poll here.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

The Virginia Promise Partnership together with member organization the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy compiled a collection of firsthand stories highlighting the ongoing child care struggles faced by parents and families across the Commonwealth. Read the full 'Parents Speak Up!' storybook here!

Interested in sharing your story? Contact us as info@vapromisepartnership.com! 

CHILD CARE IN THE NEWS

• CBS 6 News | Virginia mom joining fight to help families across the state afford childcare
• ABC 8 News | Thousands of children could lose access to early education, childcare resources; these community members want to help
• NBC 12 News | Parents, educators push state lawmakers to fund childcare before its too late
• Richmond Times-Dispatch | Gov. Youngkin announces Building Blocks for Virginia's Families plan
• Virginia Mercury | Youngkin announces plan for millions in early childhood and child care spending
• Cardinal News | Youngkin proposes increased state support for child care initiatives
• The Washington Post | Youngkin proposes child care, early education funding as covid money ends
• Marketplace | When parents have child care problems, companies have labor force problems
• Forbes | Virginia’s Gov. Youngkin Offers A Republican Path On Pre-K

You are receiving this email as a member of the Virginia Promise Advocate community.

Virginia Promise Partnership
1703 North Parham Road, Suite 110
Richmond, VA 23229
United States

If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe.