No on 302: Killing off supportfor early childhood short-sighted
October 13, 2010AZ Daily Sun
Kerry Blume and LaVelle McCoy
In Flagstaff, there are children getting ready to enter kindergarten without knowing seven or more letters of the alphabet. There are child care providers who don't understand the difference between teaching children and watching them. There are parents who can't afford the cost of child care, and must leave their young ones home alone with older siblings so they can go to work.
Fortunately, there is an alliance of allies providing resources and support to help children and families overcome these challenges and sail successfully through the most critical stages of a child's early development. This alliance consists of you, the citizens of Arizona; partners like us at United Way of Northern Arizona; and an innovative leader in the field of early childhood health and development called First Things First
In 2006, Arizonans created First Things First through a voter initiative that invests 80 cents from every pack of cigarettes sold in Arizona in programs and services that help children between the ages of birth to five get the best possible start in life. As of April 2010, First Things First -- which operates as a state agency -- had invested more than $284 million in early education and health services across the state. Because of First Things First and its community partners, the parents of 80,000 newborns left the hospital armed with information about healthy parenting practices, and struggling families received 2 million pounds of food and other costly items such as diapers and formula. Families living with low incomes also have access to affordable, high-quality child care while child care providers are taking steps to improve the quality of their programs. Essentially, First Things First is ensuring more children enter kindergarten ready and able to recognize seven or more letters of the alphabet.
In the Coconino Region, which is one of 31 regions across the state, the work of First Things First is carried out by a volunteer council that makes funding decisions based on our region's unique needs. The council works with local partners like United Way of Northern Arizona to deliver programs and services to children and families within the Coconino Region. Together, First Things First and United Way of Northern Arizona have helped families living with low incomes gain and maintain access to child care and preschool by providing scholarships for their children to attend high-quality programs.
However, if First Things First is dissolved, as ballot initiative Proposition 302 intends, this scholarship program (along with many other early childhood programs in the Coconino Region and across the state) will be eliminated, cutting off a vital lifeline for working moms and dads who cannot afford the cost of child care on their own. Where these children would end up is hard to say, but we know from experience that families end up taking their children out of high-quality programs when scholarships go away. They find cheaper alternatives, typically in unregulated centers or homes, or -- as the New York Times reported in a recent article highlighting the lack of financial assistance for families in need of child care in Arizona -- they quit their jobs because it's cheaper for them to be unemployed than to pay for child care in this state.
Is this really what we want to be nationally known for? Do we want to continue perpetuating our reputation as a state that consistently puts the health, education and development of our youngest and most vulnerable children at the bottom of our priority list? What does that say about our commitment to investing in Arizona's future? According to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2008, 18 percent of Arizona residents between the ages of 18 and 24 did not have a high school diploma, were not attending school, and didn't have jobs. Our business leaders are saying they can't attract and retain a high-quality workforce in a state that doesn't prioritize education. Isn't it time we started listening by investing in the creation of a high quality workforce in Arizona, beginning with our youngest children -- the future business leaders who are growing up right here in our state?
Research shows that children who participate in high-quality preschool programs demonstrate higher academic achievement, are less likely to repeat a grade or require special education classes, and are more likely to graduate from high school on time and enroll in college. They are also less likely to participate in criminal activity as youths, or become victims of child maltreatment or neglect. Children who enter kindergarten with the school-readiness skills they need to succeed, on the other hand, are more likely to stay on track for success in later grades. They are also more likely to read at grade-level proficiency, graduate from high school on time, and attend college or enter the workforce. Which scenario sounds like the Arizona you want?
We all win when a child enters school healthy, safe and ready to succeed. Vote "NO" on Proposition 302 to save First Things First. Continue investing in Arizona's future for the benefit of us all.
Kerry Blume is President and CEO of United Way of Northern Arizona. LaVelle McCoy is President of McCoy Motors and is co-chair of the United Way Campaign Committee.