Make Sure the Whole Story is Heard

Recent articles (and here, here, and here) in the local Southeast PA newspapers have done a good job of portraying the hardship endured by children and family service providers whose payments have been delayed due to the state budget impasse. Still, this is only half the story.

Deep cuts to children's services -- those found in Senate Bill 850 -- would have permanent devastating effects for all providers and programs. The crisis being experienced currently by the social service community is a taste of what would come to be a chronic systematic disaster were these cuts to pass.

It's important that our editors understand that children and family service providers want both a swift budget resolution and a budget that fully funds children and family services without deep and harmful cuts.

Please take a few moments to write a letter to the editor in your local community to fully explain this position.

Your voice can lend clarity to the budget crisis and aid our legislators in passing a budget that fully funds kids and families.

To send a letter to the editor via email

• Philadelphia Inquirer: inquirer.letters@phillynews.com
• Delaware County Daily Times: newsroom@delcotimes.com
• The Daily Local News (Chester County): editor@dailylocal.com
• Bucks County Courier Times: letters@phillyBurbs.com
• The Times Herald (Montgomery County): Shuskey@timesherald.com
  

Should you want to discuss your letter prior to sending it in or need assistance in coming up with ideas, please feel free to PCCY at (215) 563-5848.

Rally Delivers Message to State Legislators

More than 200 people gathered in front of the Media Courthouse on August 11 to raise their voices for a state budget that supports children and families.

Bringing together service providers and advocates, the rally addressed both the devastating impact of proposed budget cuts found in Senate Bill 850 and the tremendous impact the budget stalemate is having on programs throughout the Delaware Valley.

The rally was held in Delaware County's county seat of Media, PA, also the legislative district of the major proponent of the budget cuts. It's not too late to encourage your senator to pass a budget that's good for kids! Follow this link to deliver the message to your senator that funding must be preserved for kids' services even if it means everyone pays a little more.

The rally was sponsored by 28 organizations representing a cross-section of advocates and social services that support children and families in the Delaware Valley region. Speakers addresses the proposed cuts impacts on basic education, early education, child care, libraries, the arts, disability services, mental health, work supports, housing, prevention and community development.

For more information on how you can hold a rally in your community to support a budget that fully funds children and families, please contacts PCCY at 215-563-5848.

Rally Tuesday to Save Pennsylvania Communities!

Protect families, children and investments in stronger communities by raising your voice for a STATE BUDGET that supports Pennsylvania!

TUESDAY, August 11 12 noon

MEDIA, PA, Courthouse

201 Front Street (Front Street and Veteran’s Square)

In the legislative district of some of the leading voices in the state budget battle

(and loudest proponents of budget cuts!)

Featuring speakers from education, child care, business, housing, prevention services, health, children’s healthcare, disability rights, community development, the arts and more!

Sponsored by Public Citizens for Children and Youth, Women’s Opportunity Resource Center, Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children, ActionAIDS, Greater Phila. Cultural Alliance, Pennsylvania Head Start Association, Pennsylvania Council of Churches and more…

(List in formation. To co-sponsor or for questions, sheilas@pccy.org, 215-563-5848 ext. 12)

Let YOUR voice be heard about the impact of these cuts on the future of your communities! There HAS to be a better way! Join us in telling our legislative leaders to FIND ONE!

To send a message to your state legislators urging them to reject these cuts – even if it requires a temporary tax increase -- click here:

http://www.capwiz.com/pccy/issues/alert/?alertid=13811851