Emma Robinson

416 Orchard Lane

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 462-2421
emmalydiarobinson@gmail.com

Hon. Sheryl M. Delozier

2929 Gettysburg Road
Suite 6
Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 761-4665
Fax: (717) 731-7126

Subject: Concern for Early Childhood Development

Dear Hon. Sheryl M. Delozier,

I am writing to you because I am concerned about the current lack of opportunities that
families have to send their children to high quality early intervention programs to aid and
support their child’s learning. There are many families who rely on Head Start and preschool
programs for their children to appropriately develop and prepare for kindergarten. However, I
currently work in an early intervention preschool and see firsthand the need for more funding
to open up more spots in these vital programs. In an article written about Luzern County, all of
the benefits of a Head Start program is explained, “Head Start pays for children ages 3 to 5 to
receive 180 days of full-day school, as well as health and dental services, mental health
services, nutrition services, and often, transportation. A program called Early Head Start helps
pregnant women and infants and toddlers younger than age 3” (Wellock). The article also
shares how much it costs to enroll a student into the program for a year, “Local programs like
Head Start and similar initiatives are supporting 48 more students this year than last year,
thanks to an increase of about $800,000 in state funding, but there's still a need that isn't being
met” (https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/many-children-left-on-program-s-waitlist-due-to-a-
funding-shortage/article_a4d04d6e-b769-599d-8190-151b3028dfa2.html). This article was last
updated in June of 2020, and the need for more programing has only increased since.

Two great advocacy organizations that exist to help the funding crisis for Early Childhood
Education programs are National Association for the Education of Young Children
(NAEYC) and the Children's Defense Fund. Both of these organizations are dedicated to
raising funds and awareness to ensure that every child has access to their basics needs for
overall health and learning during early childhood years.

You can help this pressing issue by supporting higher funding for these programs. It is going to
take consistency and endurance to see that these programs get proper funding, but it is worth
the investment for the wellbeing of these children and their future. In my current job, I do my
best to make sure each child in my care is given a well-balanced education for strong
development. In addition, I am attending school to acquire a degree in early childhood
education so I can continue to provide the best care possible for future generations.

Thank you for all of the work you are doing to make our community better.

Sincerely,
Emma Robinson