Two US Senators, Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), have proposed an increase in funding for early education programs in the 2010 federal budget. They are asking for an increase of $1 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start, and an increase of $1 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). On May 5th they began circulating a letter to all US Senators asking for signatures in support of these funding changes. In the letter it states:

“The Head Start, Early Head Start, and Child Care and Development Block Grant programs are a vital part of our investment in our children, and improved funding for these programs is integral to every child having the opportunity to succeed in school and life.”

If you support these increases, you can contact Senator Feingold (202.224.5323) and Senator Kohl (202.224.5653)and ask them to sign in support of the proposal. You can also call the US Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask to be connected to either office. Senators Dodd and Snowe hope to have as many signatures collected as possible by May 12th.