Winning Beginning NY

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Winning Beginning NY is a statewide coalition working to inform policy-makers and the public about the many benefits of early care and learning including home visiting, child care and Pre-K. The coalition aims to build a broad-based constituency to make investment in quality early care and learning a top public priority in New York State.

Winning Beginning NY is co-convened by Child Care, Inc., the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, the Early Care & Learning Council, and the New York State Association for the Education of Young Children.

Tell the Governor to Sign the Child Support Bill!

Because of YOUR advocacy,
S. 2091/A. 3657, the child support bill, has passed both the Senate and Assembly and is headed to Governor Paterson for his signature. Click here to ask Governor Paterson to sign the bill into law. S. 2091/A. 3657 eliminates the child support requirement in order to receive child care subsidies. The child support requirement currently prevents parents from accessing child care subsidies if they have not sought child support.

Winning Beginning NY recognizes that there are many reasons why a parent might not pursue a support order - including safety. Children should not suffer because of this requirement. Send the Governor a letter TODAY!

WBNY Legislative Agenda 2009
It's about priorities. Prevention is not optional.

In this fiscal climate, New York State must spend existing resources wisely while continuing to support our most vulnerable citizens, who are disproportionately impacted by the economy. This does not mean cutting or reducing investments to support our youngest children; it means maintaining current funding levels and investing money in programs that work—programs that will positively impact New York’s State’s families in the short-term, during this crisis, while setting them up to succeed in the long-term, when the crisis has passed.
download Legislative Agenda
download Talking Points

See SFY 2009-2010 testimony, letters sent to Governor Paterson and to the NYS Congressional delegation, and memos in support here

New Resources

CO-PAYMENT DISPARITIES BY COUNTY FOR A FAMILY OF THREE WITH AN INCOME OF $36,620/year, child care subsidy chart by the Empire Justice Center. download chart

Home Visiting: Prevention and Preparation, a Winning Beginning NY four-page brochure educates and informs both policymakers and the public about the benefits of home visiting. download brochure

Calling All Field Captains!

Job Description: Must be an energetic, creative advocate for children. Duties include spreading the Winning Beginning NY message of support for early care and learning programs to your network of friends, colleagues, and staff, as well as to your local legislators. No experience necessary; will train.

Over the past three years, Winning Beginning NY has enlisted the help of some talented people across New York State to organize locally and bring our message back to communities. In turn, we at Winning Beginning NY have learned a lot from their insights. We currently have field captains in Long Island, Rochester, and Syracuse. We need to increase our presence in other parts of the state. Please consider becoming a field captain!

download field captain info