Newsday headline: Long Island "lags far behind" when it comes to early education
Today's Newsday includes coverage of the early education "crisis" in our region.
The article reports on a forum held yesterday by the Long Island Association (LIA), which attracted business and education leaders from Nassau and Suffolk Counties. ( Considered Long Island's Chamber of Commerce, the LIA advocates for business and economic development.)
Click here for the full report.
Speakers at the forum included:
LIA President Kevin Law, who said "Childcare is not a woman's issue or a mom's issue or a family issue. It is very much an economic development issue and we need to view it as such."
New York State Assembly Member Michaelle Solages, based in Valley Stream, who has succeeded in getting all her fellow members to sign a letter of support for a Regional Technical Assistance Center. (Scroll down for more on the RTAC.)
Monica Martinez (photo left), a newly elected State Senator from Suffolk County who is championing funding for Pre-K on Long Island.
Child Care Council of Suffolk Executive Director Jennifer Marino Rojas who shared the dire statistics about state-funded Pre-K on Long Island. Not only do only 10% of our 4-year-olds have access to full-day programs, but when half-day programs are added in, the proportion is only 29%. In other words: 71% of Nassau and Suffolk children have no access to any state-funded Pre-K.
Doc for Tots Executive Director Liz Isakson, who explained how important brain development is in the early years--and why investment in early education pays off.
Valley Stream UFSD #13 Superintendent Constance Evelyn, who described the lack of early education programs in our area as "a crisis for Long Island and for New York State."
Rich Humann, President and CEO of H2M Architects and Engineers, who stressed the role of accessible and affordable early education for employees. "Child care is like a second mortgage for most families now."
This year's ask: funds to create a Regional Technical Assistance Center (RTAC) for Long Island
Due to the lack of regional infrastructure and state funding for Pre-K, nearly 23,698 Long Island children are denied access to a full-day state-funded program, according to The Long Island Pre-K Initiative's Lucinda Hurley. "We recognize that the Governor's budget will not adequately meet the demand for Pre-K. That's why we are asking for $750,000 to establish a Regional Technical Assistance Center (RTAC). It will provide a bridge to assist districts and early care and education partners to plan and develop a fiscally responsible system."
The Long Island Pre-K Initiative has laid the foundation for the services of the RTAC. But the Initiative's private grant funding is almost exhausted.
"The RTAC will combine services and expertise for expansion of Pre-K and
coordinate relationships between school districts and community-based early childhood centers," says Hurley. "It will provide professional development to assure programs meet quality standards and will offer technical expertise in a variety of areas."
Assembly Member Michaelle Solages (shown at right) has circulated a letter in support of the RTAC, which has been signed by all her fellow legislators.
On the New York State Senate side, Monica Martinez is supporting the proposal. And a letter-writing campaign is underway to
make sure sufficient funds are included in the final New York State budget.
Click on the link below if you would like to download a sample letter you can send in support of the RTAC or email prek@nasboces.org
