Action Alert to #FundEarlyChildhoodIDEA- Join us on Thursday, 10/3

Join Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children and early childhood advocates from across the nation in asking Congress to invest in early childhood services for young children with developmental delays and disabilities.

In late July, the Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act H.R. 4107,

was introduced by Representatives Mark DeSaulnier (CA-D), Rodney Davis (IL-R) and Jared Huffman (CA-D) (Press Release of Bill H.R. 4107). This bipartisan bill addresses the significant gap in federal funding for IDEA Part C and 619 Preschool Grant Programs. With 18 co-sponsors, this bill increases authorization levels over 5 years for these crucial programs and would bring us back to per-child peak funding, considering inflation. An identical Senate bill is expected to be introduced this fall.

The IDEA Early Intervention and the Preschool Special Education Programs currently serve over 1.16 million children, about double the number of children served in 1991. Although states and local communities continue to serve more and more children in IDEA early childhood programs, federal funding has not kept pace. Adjusting for inflation, per-child funding for both Section 619 and Part C have decreased from their respective peaks by more than 64%.

We are urging members of Congress to co-sponsor and support the House bill Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA and sponsor or support the Senate bill this fall.

We need everyone’s voice to help get funding for services back to peak levels for over 1 million children. #FundEarlyChildhoodIDEA

Here’s how you can help this week:

• Join DEC’s Twitter storm on Thursday October 3rd from 12noon-2pm CT starting with a 30-minute Twitter chat. @decsped

• Join DEC’s flood their inbox campaign by sending an electronic letter to your Congressional leaders through CEC’s Legislative Action Center. Three easy steps and 30 seconds of your time for over 1 million kids. Click here, enter your name and address and hit submit! It’s as easy as that!

• Help DEC spread the word. Share this message with friends, colleagues and community partners. Post on Facebook and Twitter “I sent my letter #BecauseItMatters #FundEarlyChildhoodIDEA.” Tweet out this message and tag your Congressional Leaders.

We need your help Because It Matters.

Early childhood interventions are crucial for a child’s development, and every child, regardless of disability status, should have an equal opportunity to obtain high-quality early childhood services. Infants, toddlers, and preschool children and their schools deserve this additional funding to ensure continued delivery of high-quality early intervention and preschool special education services.

Thank you for taking time to share your voice for so many children and families across the nation.

- DEC’s Policy and Advocacy Team