Tuesdays for Tots: Advocating on behalf of young children
On Tuesday, May 20, nearly 30 adults and children boarded a rented tour bus (courtesy of North Carolina Partnership for Children) and traveled to Raleigh to meet with Durham's six delegates to ask that they support a funding increase for Smart Start—the early care and education system that supports thousands of young children and their families.
"I, too learned so much about the issues of children birth to three and the brain development piece by listening to members of the group educate our legislators," said Awilda Guevara, a social worker and provider support counselor with Durham's Alliance for Child Care Access. "It was good to be a part of this event that educated our elected officials on the needs of very young children."
While most representatives were open to talk with the group, one representative said Smart Start was fortunate not to get funding cuts.
"Over the last eight years, our Smart Start funding has decreased by $2.6 million, yet the population of zero to five and the needs of young children have increased," said Marsha Basloe, executive director. "We're charged with trying to do more with fewer dollars."
Basloe and Michael Palmer, the Partnership's board chair, had the opportunity to meet with News 14 Carolina to spread the word on the group's efforts to connect with and educate the Durham delegation.
“Can you think of any issue that we deal with in this country where the solution does not involve investment in our children?” Palmer asked the reporter. “There's a tremendous amount of brain development that happens from [ages] zero to two.”
The group followed up with calls and emails to remind legislators to support a House Budget that supports a Smart Start increase.
Last week, the House passed its version of the budget with a $500,000 recurring increase for Smart Start. The Senate will be making amendments to the House budget during the coming weeks.
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Photos
First photo: Group of Durham's Partnership for Children funded parters, board members and staff visit the NC state Legislature on May 20.
Second photo: One group meets with Representative Winkie Wilkins to discuss supporting $44 million increase for Smart Start.
Third photo: A group meets with Senator Bob Atwater in his office to talk about supporting Smart Start and early care and education across the state and Durham
County.
