ACR 45 Moves to the Assembly Floor ----Press Conference Announced
SACRAMENTO, CA- Assembly Member Shirley N. Weber’s (D-San Diego) ACR 45 passed the Assembly Education Committee on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 with a 7-0 unanimous vote.
ACR 45 shines light on the importance of early child care and preschool education as well as the positive impact they have in the lives of our children. The resolution also emphasizes the importance of educating parents about the value of early child care and education in the early years of a child. Studies show that 80 percent of a child’s brain development occurs by age three and 90 percent of brain development occurs by age five.
“If we are only looking at preschool beginning at age 2 1/2 to three, we are missing a significant part of time when we should be stimulating the child,” said Assemblymember Weber. This could prove very harmful to the future of these children, especially African American males.
Parenting classes highlight the importance of early child care and preschool education, but they also teach parents new techniques that have proven to advance their children compared to other children whose parents do not know about or do not value the importance of parental classes and early care and education.
“Of all the things we are licensed to do, drive a car own a business, we basically give birth to children with no training ourselves or background or assistance.” “That is why parenting classes are important,” stated Weber.
Early care and education and parent education is a critical foundation for improving our nation’s educational system and a vital investment strategy to ensure the competitiveness of our nation’s workforce in the global economy.
ACR 45 is supported by Advancement Project, California Alternative Payment Program Assn (CAPPA), California Black Chamber of Congress, California Childcare Resource & Referral Network, Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles , Child Care Links, Child Development, Associates, Inc., Child Care Resource Center, Connections for Children, Contra Costa Childcare Council, Family Resources & Referral Center, Western Center on Law and Poverty, KinderCare Learning Centers, Knowledge Universe United States, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF), North Coast Opportunities (NCO), Santa Cruz County Parents Association, Students First, Valley Oak Children’s Services, and YMCA Childcare Resource Service . The resolution will advance to the Assembly Floor where the measure will be voted on in the next couple of weeks.
Press Conference. Additionally, Assemblymember Weber in conjunction with the California Legislative Black Caucus, will convene a press conference to discuss the importance of early child care and preschool education programs and parent involvement. The event will be held at the California State Capitol and will include input from legislators, community leaders, and parent organizations. Please see details below.
WHO: Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber in partnership with the California Legislative Black Caucus. Assemblymember Holly Mitchell, Chair of California Legislative Black Caucus; San Diego Neighborhood House, Chief Operating Officer- Michael Kemp; Denyne M. Micheletti, Executive Director, MBA, on behalf of the California Alternative Payment Program, among others.
WHAT: Press Conference on ACR 45: Early Care and Education and Parental Education.
WHEN: Monday, May 20th, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: South Steps, California State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814.
For information and to RSVP, please contact Crystal Quezada at (916) 319-2079 or via email: Crystal.Quezada@asm.ca.gov.