Earlier today, UWKC board member and early learning advocate Janet Levinger testified before the House Early Learning and Children’s Services Committe in Olympia to push for the inclusion of pre-kindergarten education into the state’s definition of basic education.  Defining Pre-K as part of basic education would make funding for early learning much more secure. Why is that so important? Read her testimony below:

Good afternoon. For the record, my name is Janet Levinger. I am here today as a community volunteer and child advocate. I currently…

National Housing Trust Fund linked with House jobs bill

The House of Representatives is currently debating a $75 billion “Jobs for Main Street” bill that includes $1 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF), as well as $65 million for project-based vouchers to be distributed with NHTF dollars.  Fully funding the NHTF would not only guarantee affordable housing for King County’s most vulnerable populations, but would also provide a shot in the arm for the state’s ailing economy. According to the National Low Income Housing…

Now that we’ve dusted ourselves off from another wacky election season, many of us are now turning our focus to this joyous time of year where simply finding a parking space at the mall has been cause for celebration…But I find it interesting in talking to many of my friends that, this year, it’s different.  And I guess it doesn’t surprise me.  I mean, unemployment just hit double digits for the first time since the early 80’s.  Of course it’s different.

So, what to do?  First…

Early diagnosis and intervention can make all the difference for a young child struggling with developmental disabilities or delays. For one child, specialized therapy made communication possible for the first time in his young life.

The 2008 Preschool Class of the Ned Behnke Speech Language Preschool

Caden, age 5, has severe apraxia, a motor speech disorder that makes speech, auditory processing and motor function irregular and difficult. Diagnosed with the disorder at 2 years old, Caden struggled to communicate with his family and make friends. While…

We know that investing in early learning is one of the most effective strategies we have to improve the success of K-12 education. Both public and private partners in our state have devoted a lot of attention and energy to early learning over the past few years. We have new agencies, new collaborations, and new funding commitments. We’ve also recently come out of a legislative session where tough decisions about early learning funding reductions had to be made. What’s the impact of all of this…

Write your legislators today and urge them to support home visiting programs!

Home visiting is a research-proven strategy for reaching young children who may not otherwise get connected to more formal, institutional systems of support. These programs, which target low-income, at-risk families, provide strong financial returns to the community in the form of increased graduation rates and decreased crime and welfare dependency rates.

Send an e-mail or a letter to your legislator today and let them know why they should restore funding for home visiting. Here are…

Over the coming months, our leaders in Olympia will have to make tough decisions about health and human services funding based on Governor Christine Gregoire’s proposed budget. Many programs and services related to early learning will be affected if the Legislature approves the budget as proposed.

United Way of King County supports the governor’s decision to maintain funding for two important programs for young children and their families: