The following advocacy opportunity comes directly to us from the WNC Early Childhood Coalition:
Last week we asked you to call Senator Berger and House Speaker Moore and ask them to fund child care teacher compensation grants through June 2025. Big thanks to everyone who was able to make those calls! This week we need to continue the push - that's why we are asking you to take 5 minutes and call your WNC representatives TODAY!
Refresher background (scroll down for phone numbers and suggested calling script): This past June, emergency partial funding to extend child care compensation grants won unanimous support; but, the timing of the passage left the compensation program unfunded through July and Aug, and before the grants renewed in Sept, 69 programs closed throughout the state (Source: EdNC). Additionally, Tropical Storm Helene further stressed the operations of western county child care providers who have reiterated the need for compensation support as part of recovery and stabilization.
Without immediate action to renew compensation grants, more child care programs will close or reduce capacity leading to further work disruptions for families. Now, is the time to swiftly pass additional funding so programs don’t face another crisis this December.
Will you call your representatives' offices TODAY and ask for their support in funding compensation grants through June 2025?
Below is a list of WNC legislators and their contact info. Wondering who represents you? Enter your street address at this link: https://www.ncleg.gov/
NC Senate:
- Sen. Ralph Hise (919) 733-3460
- Sen. Kevin Corbin (919) 733-5875
- Sen. Warren Daniel (919) 715-7823
- Sen. Julie Mayfield (919) 715-3001
- Sen. Timothy Moffitt (919) 733-5745
NC House:
- Rep. Karl E. Gillespie (919) 733-5859
- Rep. Mike Clampitt (919) 715-3005
- Rep. Mark Pless (919) 733-5732
- Rep. Caleb Rudow (919) 715-3012
- Rep. Lindsey Prather (919) 733-5746
- Rep. Eric Ager (919) 715-2013
- Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (919) 733-5956
- Rep. Jake Johnson (919) 715-4466
- Rep. Dudley Greene (919) 733-5862
Here's a sample phone script
Hi, my name is ______. I am a parent/teacher/business leader/etc., and I live in ____County. I am calling to ask that you fully fund the child care teacher compensation grant program through June of 2025 so that the industry can be stabilized and long-term solutions can be developed.
We can’t afford to lose a single teacher, classroom, or child care provider. We owe our families and businesses the certainty that existing child care arrangements won’t be disrupted by a gap in funding or underfunding of compensation grants.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue. [If you have a personal story about child care’s impact on your ability to work, run a business, or foster your child’s development – feel free to share.]
Nervous about making a call? You don’t need to be an expert to express your opinion. Most likely you will leave a voicemail or leave a message with the legislative assistant as legislators rarely are in the office to answer the phone. Calling is an effective and important way to speak up, so take a deep breath, dial, and make your voice heard.
