Media Contact: Brendan Daly (202.794.1580)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 21, 2015) — Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) today announced its support for legislation introduced this week to expand early childhood education programs for children from birth through 5 years of age.

The Strong Start for America’s Children Act 2015 was introduced in the Senate by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and in the House by Representatives by Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Richard Hanna (R-NY). The bill would create new federal partnerships with states and communities to help improve and expand high-quality, full-day preschool programs.

“I want to thank Senator Murray and Congressmen Scott and Hanna for their commitment to early childhood education,” said Mark Shriver, president of Save the Children Action Network. “Without access to high-quality early learning programs, children fall behind. Many never catch up. Quality early childhood education makes kids more successful – and all of us reap the benefits for generations to come.”

Expanding high-quality early childhood education is one of the few issues to enjoy robust bipartisan support in Congress, and Save the Children Action Network has been leading the charge to promote innovative ways to finance early childhood education.

For that reason, SCAN also supports the Social Impact Partnership Act introduced in April by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) because it would allow private and philanthropic investors to enter into contracts with the government to fund evidence-based programs that serve a public good while saving the government money. This model is being used in several states to finance programs such as early childhood education expansion and successful health interventions.

# # #

Save the Children Action Network is the political voice for kids. We believe that every child deserves the best start in life. That’s why we’re building bipartisan will and voter support to make sure every child in the U.S. has access to high-quality early learning and that no mother or child around the globe dies from a preventable disease or illness. By investing in kids and holding leaders accountable, we are helping kids from birth to age five survive and thrive.