The Real Public Input Session on School Funding
Next week, the State Legislative Basic Education Funding Commission will hold two hearings on the state’s school funding system in Philadelphia on November 18th and 19th. On, the 18th the Commission will hear from the City and the School District and one non-governmental organization, the Philadelphia School Partnership. In response to the Commission’s limited list of testifiers, PCCY is hosting the Basic Education Funding Commission Real Public Input Session and we invite concerned residents, organizational leaders and respected researchers to present testimony at noon on the 18th. PCCY will videotape the testimony and deliver the tape to the Commission. Join PCCY and make your voice heard at City Hall!
Sign up today to testify at the Basic Education Commission Real Public Input Session and observe the formal Commission hearing in City Council at 1:00 pm that same day.
Click here for more information and to sign up.
Can’t join us in Philadelphia? Come out Tuesday evening to our education funding workshop “DelCo Rising: Winning for Education” at 7:00 pm at Upper Darby High School. Click here to sign up.
Pennsylvania’s Troubling Ranking on Child Health Insurance
Just when it seems like the news can’t get any worse for kids, we learn that Pennsylvania now ranks sixth worst in the U.S. with respect to the number of children without health insurance, according to a new study from the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University. The Commonwealth expanded its subsidized health care reach by only 2,000 more children from 2011 to 2013. Still nearly 150,000 children in this state have no health care coverage.
In response to a push by PCCY and other health care advocates, the state budget includes funds for outreach to ensure parents take advantage of the state subsidized child health insurance program. Nevertheless, the number of children covered by state subsidized health insurance continues to decline. This drop in share of children covered is happening in spite of increased federal funding for child health coverage and a rising share of children who are eligible as a result of a persistent increase in the share of children living in poverty. Let’s hope the new Administration works more aggressively to insure every child so Pennsylvania moves from the bottom of the list for child health coverage to the top.
Good News – Congress Acts for Young Children
The U.S. Senate is just one vote away from reauthorizing the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) with new measures to ensure the safety of children enrolled in early learning programs. Senate Bill 1086 is expected to pass on Monday and head to the President’s desk for his signature. Pennsylvania already receives $419 million from this federal program to subsidize the cost of care for low-income working parents. Although Pennsylvania isn’t likely to see new funds as a result of this legislation, the bill includes important requirements that states improve the health and safety conditions in child care settings, and it removes critical barriers for parents seeking to access child care subsidy. Both Pennsylvania Senators deserve our thanks for their work to support this bill and strengthen safety requirements for children in child care.
Click here to send a thank you letter to Senators Casey and Toomey.
Save the Date for the Celebration of the 2015 Public Citizen for Children and Youth
Mark your calendars today for the Celebration of the 2015 Public Citizen for Children and Youth set for Wednesday, April 29, 2015. Join us as we honor Greg Redden, Regional President for Wells Fargo for his hard work and commitment to children in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Our night of fun includes performances from local school children, food, drinks, and a wonderful silent auction to benefit PCCY’s efforts to improve the lives of our region’s children.
More details to come. In the meantime, share this short video with your friends to tell them to save the date for this great event.
