PRINTER'S NO. 583
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
70
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY BROWNE, MARTIN, HUGHES, DINNIMAN, FONTANA,
FARNESE, SANTARSIERO, K. WARD, BAKER, SCHWANK, MENSCH,
KILLION, SABATINA, BLAKE, TARTAGLIONE, FOLMER, J. WARD,
BREWSTER, COSTA AND MUTH, APRIL 8, 2019
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 8, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing April 8 through 12, 2019, as the "Week of the Young
Child" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, From birth to five years of age, young children's
brains make at least 1 million neural connections every second
that form brain architecture for life; and
WHEREAS, At no other time in a human's life will the brain
develop at this remarkable speed or with such intricacy; and
WHEREAS, This is the foundation upon which all later
learning, behavior and health depend; and
WHEREAS, High-quality early care and education prepares
children to succeed in school, earn higher wages and live
healthier lives; and
WHEREAS, Participation in high-quality early care and
education saves taxpayer dollars, makes working families more
economically secure and is a revenue-generating investment over
time, benefiting society and the State and national economy; and
WHEREAS, Parents will always be the most important influence
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on their children and 70% of children under six years of age in
Pennsylvania have all available parents in the workforce and
evidence-based programs that strengthen our families and ensure
access to high-quality early care and education are needed to
maximize children's potential in the first five years; and
WHEREAS, Despite the proven benefits of high-quality early
care and education, more eligible Pennsylvania children and
families need access to these services:
(1) Just 2% of all children under six years of age and
only 5% of low-income children under six years of age are
receiving publicly funded, evidence-based home visiting
programs;
(2) Only 37% of subsidized children under five years of
age and 34% of subsidized infants and toddlers are in high-
quality programs and only 21% of child care capacity in the
State currently meets high-quality standards;
(3) Seventy-three percent of eligible children under
five years of age and 77% of eligible infants or toddlers are
not enrolled in the Child Care Works subsidized child care
program and a waiting list of over 3,700 children exists as
of March 2019; and
(4) Fifty-six percent of eligible children three and
four years of age do not have access to high-quality
prekindergarten;
and
WHEREAS, High-quality early care and education depends on
high-quality programs and the educators and professionals who
ensure that children, supported by families, have the early
experiences they need for a strong start; and
WHEREAS, Early childhood educators and professionals should
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be valued, respected and compensated for the important roles
they play; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize April 8 through 12, 2019,
as the "Week of the Young Child" in Pennsylvania.
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