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Policy and Advocacy Update
December 20, 2007

As 2007 comes to a close, there are several key developments on the advocacy front to report.

  • Since September, Gov. Deval Patrick has been serving as a volunteer PAL (Playspace Activity Leader) with Horizons for Homeless Children (HHC)! 
  • In November, the Mass. Department of Early Education and Care and the Department of Transitional Assistance announced a major breakthrough: a new policy under which homeless families are eligible for childcare vouchers as soon as they enter a shelter.  This has long been a goal of Horizons for Homeless Children and its advocacy partners.
  • In December, President Bush signed legislation re-authorizing the Head Start Program.  At the request of HHC, Senator Kennedy included language in the bill’s legislative history that puts HHC in a strong position to dramatically expand its Training and Technical Assistance program.  As a result, HHC may be able to help Head Start providers across the U.S. to serve more homeless children and better meet their needs.
  • In late January, Governor Deval Patrick will submit his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2009 to the Mass. House of Representatives.
  • While the filing of Gov. Patrick’s proposed budget is merely one step in a process that will conclude next summer, it represents a key opportunity for Horizons for Homeless Children to ensure that the Commonwealth prioritizes the needs of homeless children and their families.

Please take a few minutes for the following action steps:

  1. Please contact Gov. Patrick in support of HHC’s Budget priorities.  Click here for a sample letter to Gov. Patrick. 
    You can fax your letter to (617) 727-9725, or send it via the web by clicking here.
  2. Please e-mail a copy of your letter to bkramer@horizonsforhomelesschildren.org.
  • In addition to the key developments described above, this week, HHC released the 2007 edition of “Bridging the Gap,” reporting that only 48% of children living in homeless shelters in Massachusetts are able to access early education and care.  To download a copy of "Bridging the Gap," please click here.

Thank you for your commitment to improving the lives of homeless children and their families.