WE DID IT!
Moments ago, the General Assembly passed the state budget for the 2020-2022 biennium. This budget includes an historic investment of $85 million in early education for Virginia children. The budget will now go to Governor Northam for his signature (or amendments) and final approval will be made at the reconvened session on April 22.
This major and unprecedented achievement could not have happened without your tireless efforts of urging your legislators to support this funding through your phone calls, emails and capitol visits.
Specifically, this budget includes funding for:
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Transitioning early education from the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) to the Virginia Department of Education(VDOE)
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Increasing access to quality for all children in publicly funded programs
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Improving quality in the Virginia Preschool Initiative(VPI) for at-risk children
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Expanding VPI to three-year-olds through a mixed-delivery program
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Increasing VPI per pupil amount
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Aligning the health, safety (currently 727 regulations) and quality standards for licensed programs under VDOE
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Providing support to attract and retain early childhood educators
Just in case you missed it, E3:Elevate Early Education’s Board Chair, Angelica Light and I authored the below piece in The Virginian-Pilot earlier this month on the importance of this funding.
E3 program offers new approach to early education
WE did this TOGETHER, and the results will have a LASTING IMPACT for Virginia’s children!
With gratitude,
Lisa Howard
E3:Elevate Early Education, President & CEO
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