Rep. Jim Watson to Visit Jacksonville Early Childhood Program
October 9, 2009Jacksonville - State Rep. Jim Watson will tour The Early Years Program in Jacksonville on October 13 to discuss the importance of preschool programs with teachers and early childhood professionals. Watson hopes to assess the effects of recent state budget cuts on local preschool programs. The Ounce of Prevention Fund, an early childhood advocacy organization, helped facilitate Watson's visit. The Fund hopes to highlight the importance of early learning programs in ensuring the healthy development of children.
The Early Years Program, part of Jacksonville School District 117, serves approximately 200 children from birth to age five. The program also offers parenting classes for teens to help them excel in their role as their child's first teacher. The Early Childhood Block Grant, which provides state funding for The Early Years Program, was cut by 10% under the recently passed state budget.
The Ounce of Prevention Fund and other early childhood advocates contend that early childhood programs are essential to the future economic health of Illinois. Children with quality early-learning opportunities are less likely to need special education and more likely to graduate from high school, earn more money and contribute more tax dollars to local economies.
Rep. Watson is eager to learn more about local early childhood efforts. "As a former teacher, I have seen firsthand the positive effects of quality education," said Watson. "I know the recent budget cuts have had a detrimental effect on our youngest learners."
"I look forward to hearing from local teachers and from Ounce of Prevention Fund experts regarding their opinions on ways to improve local preschool programs and ensure adequate funding in the future," Watson continued. "General Assembly members face a $10 billion dollar shortfall when we return to Springfield. I fully realize that we will have to make some tough choices in order to do what is right for education and for other areas of need in Illinois."
WHAT
Rep. Jim Watson Visits The Early Years Program
WHEN
Tuesday, October 13, 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
WHERE
The Early Years Program, 110 Walnut Court, Jacksonville
REP. WATSON AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SPEAK WITH THE MEDIA. CALL 217-243-6221 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FURTHER COMMENTS. THANK YOU.
About the Ounce of Prevention Fund
The Ounce of Prevention Fund gives children in poverty the best chance for success in school and in life by advocating for and providing the highest quality care and education from birth to age five. Educare, the Ounce's birth-to-five school on Chicago's South Side, has become a national model for narrowing the academic achievement gap for low-income children. The Ounce also advocates for programs and policies that benefit young children and families; provides training to early childhood professionals in Illinois; and engages in rigorous research and evaluation projects that contribute to best practices throughout the early childhood field.
About The Early Years Program
The Early Years Program in Jacksonville has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the nation's leading organization of early childhood professionals. The Early Years Program serves children from birth to age 5 and supports parents in their role as their child's first teacher.