Delauro Applauds New Support for Early Childhood Learning
Statement
Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3), Ranking Member on the Labor, Education, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement today in response to the announcement by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius of the creation of the $500 million state grant competition, the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge
"I am delighted by today's announcement. Early childhood is an issue that is very close to my heart, and I look forward to these funds improving the lives of infants and toddlers across the nation. Study after study has shown that the earliest of experiences are essential and that supportive environments are critical to long term outcomes for children-- and it is no hyperbole to say that our very future is at stake here.
"I have fought for more support for these critical programs and services for years, and just wrote to the Secretary Duncan earlier this month, urging him to take action in this way. This new Early Learning Challenge will enable states to improve child development programs and transform early education standards and practices. These funds as especially important given the current economic and political environments: many families are still struggling to make ends meet, but the proposed Republican budget is making reckless decisions that will surely cut Head Start and child care programs. This $500 million investment will ensure that states will not have to cut back on the programs so fundamental to our children's future success and make quality improvements to existing programs.
"That is why I urge the Department of Education to prioritize both improving the quality of these programs as well as increasing access to them. There is arguably no better way to spend our education dollars than to fund programs for early childhood development, and I look forward to the implementation and results of the Early Learning Challenge."
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