FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Brendan Daly, [email protected], (202) 794-1580

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 13, 2018) – Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) applauds the House and Senate Conference Committee’s Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations bill for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS). The conference agreement announced tonight demonstrates bipartisan support for crucial early childhood education programs.

The bill, which still must be approved by the full House and Senate, includes a $200 million increase in funding for Head Start and Early Head Start, $50 million increase in funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) above last year’s historic investments, and level funds Preschool Development Grants.

“I’m grateful to the leadership of Senators Roy Blunt and Patty Murray and Representatives Tom Cole and Rosa DeLauro, along with other members of the conference committee, for their hard work and continued fight for kids and families across the country.” said Kris Perry, president of SCAN.

The conference agreement includes $200 million in new funding for Head Start/Early Head Start ($10.1 billion overall), level funds the Preschool Development Grants at $250 million, and improves upon last year’s historic increase by $50 million more for CCDBG ($5.3 billion overall). (See chart below.)

“We will see the benefits of these investments in our families today and in the lives of our children for years to come,” said Perry. “We know that kids and families need continuous, dependable care, both developmentally for children and for the financial stability of families. We are grateful for Congress taking this critical step toward final passage of funding for these effective programs. We look forward to our continued work with members of both parties in Congress and the Administration to ensure that low-income children and families have access to affordable, high-quality care.”

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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. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.