MEMBERS OF CONGRESS CONSIDERING APPROPRIATIONS IN SUPPORT OF 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS

The Federal Fiscal Year 2011 budget process is underway, and members of Congress are making budget decisions that affect afterschool, summer and community learning opportunities for young people.  President Obama's proposed Fiscal Year 2011 budget calls for a $13 million cut in funding for the 21 Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program! If you are interested in speaking against this cut in funding, your voice needs to be heard. 


WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Contact your member of Congress and ask them to sign onto the FY2011 Appropriations "Dear Colleague" letter.  Signing onto this letter provides them a way to demonstrate their support for afterschool, summer and community learning opportunities publicly. In the House of Representatives, Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI) and Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) have begun circulating an afterschool "Dear Colleague" letter. Get information on how you can contact your Representative today: http://capwiz.com/afterschool/callalert/index.tt?alertid=14776666&PROCESS=Call+Now


SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS BELOW FROM THE AFTERSCHOOL ALLIANCE:
Contact your Representative and ask them to sign the Kildee/Castle "Dear Colleague" letter in support of increased funding for the 21st CCLCs program. Ask to speak to the Representative's Education Appropriations staffer and tell them:

• Please sign the 21st CCLC "Dear Colleague" letter for increased funding in the FY2011 LHHS bill.
• A cut in funding for 21st CCLC in Fiscal Year 2011 would be harmful to families and children in their congressional district.
• Provide specific examples of how a cut in funding would hurt children and families. How many children would be without a place to go after school? What is your program doing to improve academic achievement? How is your program helping working families during the economic downturn? Are you providing snacks and meals to your program participants? Congress needs to know!

FIND YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
http://www.youthcommunityconnections.org/advocateN.html#find

Youth Community Connections
200 Oak Street SE, Suite 270B ~ Minneapolis, MN 55455
PH: 612.627.0160
WEB: www.youthcommunityconnections.org