Now is a critical moment for subsidized childcare in New York City. The city’s child care system – providing quality early education and essential work support for tens of thousands of families – is facing its most drastic funding cut in over three decades. The result would force more than 17,000 children out of childcare.
Mayor Bloomberg’s proposal to slash this service will have devastating repercussions for low-income working families and their children. Without childcare, parents will struggle to sustain employment and support their families. Furthermore, already vulnerable children will be pushed out of quality, early-learning programs that nurture development and school-readiness.
To respond to this crisis, advocates, services providers, and religious institutions have formed the Emergency Coalition to Save Childcare. The coalition kicked-off its efforts last week at a rally and press conference on the steps of City Hall, and is steadily gaining momentum. Parents impacted by the cuts, daycare workers who are losing jobs, advocacy organizations, and leaders in City government are all lending their support.
RAP is working with the coalition to fight these cuts. Please join us in this important effort!
Bloomberg needs to hear more voices telling him that these cuts are simply unacceptable and must be eliminated! The budget will be finalized in July – we need more voices before then!
TAKE ACTION:
1. Contact Mayor Bloomberg and Council Speaker Quinn and urge them to reject the proposed cut. You can e-mail them by clicking here.
2. Join the Emergency Coalition to Save Child Care by clicking here.
3. Follow the Emergency Coalition to Save Child Care on Twitter @SaveChildCareNY and Facebook.
