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ROXBURY, Mass. (November 3, 2010) - Horizons for Homeless Children (HHC) offers warm congratulations to Governor Deval Patrick on his re-election to Governor of Massachusetts.
Governor Patrick's first term in office saw the creation of the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness, groundbreaking policies around access to early education for homeless children and strategies for preventing homelessness and chronic homelessness. HHC commends Governor Patrick for embarking on this innovative path of change.
"The way we think and talk about homelessness has shifted here in Massachusetts," said President of HHC, Asa Fanelli. "Value is now on long-term solutions and sustainability thanks to the Patrick Administration's bold leadership and dedication over the last four years. This is a strong start to permanently reducing and eliminating homelessness."
Access to early education for all homeless children is a vital component of any long-term solution to ending family homelessness and revitalizing the economy. Early education fosters normal development and growth that temporary spaces do not typically offer. Early care opportunities also allow parents to pursue the road to self-sufficiency through job training and school.
The state has made progress in this area over the last four years. However, thousands of homeless children remain without access to early education, and family homelessness in the Commonwealth continues to grow beyond its current crisis point. Governor Patrick must seek both economic and social policies that promote access to early education for every single homeless child during his next term in office. It is this next step - this bold move - that will further the Commonwealth's goals and continue to set the state apart from all others.
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