Save ELI and subsidized childcare in Ohio!

Target:

Governor Ted Strickland

Sponsored by:

Amanda Bridgeford, Director Creative World of Learning, mother.

Cuts to the early learning initiative and an overhaul of subsidized childcare will be devestating to Ohio's children and their families. We are yanking away the very head start that Governor Strickland's vision entailed. Help send the message loud and clear: DON'T BE A CONTRADICTION!!! ANTE UP ON OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE!!! These cuts will cause a massive domino affect that will begin with thousands of centers shutting their doors and lead to even more children who have no place to go while parents are at work or school, leading to a tougher decision: Do I provide for my family or care for my children? Don't force parents to make that choice!!!

We the undersigned want to let Governor Strickland know that Ohio children and families are important. The cuts spelled out by the governor last week will devestate Ohio families and hurt our future. We are signing this petition to ask you not to make your proposed cuts to childcare and the Early Learning Initiative. Don't sell out our future.

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We signed the "Save ELI and subsidized childcare in Ohio!" petition!

# 95:

10:00 pm PDT, Jun 30, Shannon Ewert, Ohio

# 94:

6:45 pm PDT, Jun 30, Jamie Hartig, Ohio
Cutting back on programs that help kids in need is no way to have them start their future. If we cannot help them when they are younger and get them on the right track then when will we start? These young children who are in the ELI program need us more than ever and we need to be there for them from the BEGINNING.

# 93:

4:18 pm PDT, Jun 30, Jaime Foos, Ohio

# 92:

1:46 pm PDT, Jun 30, Leslie Duncanson, Ohio

# 91:

12:00 pm PDT, Jun 30, Diana Dillion, Ohio
I am an ELI provider. If ELI is cut from the state budget, how are the parents of those children going to afford care? Ohio is supposed to be creating jobs. If something like ELI is cut it wont matter cause families wont be able to afford to work if their whole paycheck is going to childcare.

# 90:

11:34 am PDT, Jun 30, Name not displayed, Ohio

# 89:

11:30 am PDT, Jun 30, Cindy Burson, Ohio
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS PROGRAM AWAY. MANY, MANY CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM IT!!!!!!!!!!!

# 88:

11:18 am PDT, Jun 30, Ashley Brewer, Ohio
I am a parent of two children and am currently working on finishing my Master's degree in school counseling. I'm completing my final internship hours. Because of the necessity to dedicate most of my day to internship, I have little time left to work. I was informed that my hours for school and internship do not count for subsidized child care, and only work does. I found relief with the ELI program. My oldest daughter is currently enrolled in a 3 star award winning Step up to Quality child care center. To eliminated the ELI program would be devastating to my family. It could mean that I would not be able to complete my Master's program, thus continue to be low income due to difficulty finding employment in this economy. I also know many others whom would take a blow because of the proposed cut of the ELI program. I find it incredibly nonsensical to make cuts in the areas that low income families benefit from the most during times like this. Many families could end up without childcare or preschool, searching for jobs in an economy with very few jobs available, and possibly suffering even harder times due to this proposed budget. There has to be more areas that can be cut...why make the already low-income families suffer even more?!

# 87:

6:17 am PDT, Jun 30, Thomas Perkins, Ohio
I have seen the benefits of this program both as a superintendent and as a parent. This early learning program is necessary in the preparation of our young students for the challenging curriculum that they must face as elementary students.

# 86:

5:53 am PDT, Jun 30, Gary Johnson, Ohio
I thought most politicians finally understood the importance of early childhood education. The ELI preschool program should not even be up for discussion. It is phenomenal to measure the growth and the major difference the preschool programs are attaining. The concept of catching developmental delays early not only provides schoolage children a "Bright Beginning," but also saves districts enormous amounts of money dealing with severe delays/interventions because the delay gap has been allowed to become much wider. To eliminate a proven program that provides the earliest form of education/intervention for children in the state of Ohio is an injustice!!

# 85:

5:41 am PDT, Jun 30, Lisa Minosky, Ohio
Please reconsider the cuts to ELI and childcare in Ohio. Thousands of Ohio's children will suffer. Do not try to balance the buget on the backs of our children. Families are struggling every day to get by, this will only add to their burden.

# 84:

2:58 am PDT, Jun 30, VICKI SICHINA, Ohio

# 83:

8:08 pm PDT, Jun 29, Tangela Taylor, Ohio

# 82:

5:21 pm PDT, Jun 29, Herb Owens, Ohio

# 81:

3:23 pm PDT, Jun 29, KAREN BAKER, Ohio
PLEASE SAVE CHILD CARE. WHY ARE WE GOING BACKWARDS. PARENTS CAN'T MAKE IT WHEN THEY ARE WORKING LET ALONE WHEN THEY ARE OUT OF WORK. IT STARTS WITH OUR CHILDREN AND ENDS WITH OUR SENIORS.

KAREN BAKER SAVE ALL CHILD CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

# 80:

3:18 pm PDT, Jun 29, Carmen Feldner, Ohio
If the ELI program is cut it would be a huge contradiction to the very platform The Governor got voted in on!!! What a total waste of tax dollars to start million dollar programs and then rip it completely away. With the ELI program on the rise and the sucess that it has seen it would be a shame to pull it out from under so many families who are trying to make it in this economy!!! Come on...Do what is right for our children and their families. SAVE ELI!!!!!

# 79:

2:37 pm PDT, Jun 29, Stephen Eaton, Ohio
Why not have a 500 Dollar deductible for State employees. This would save a bundle. Have a co pay for prescriptions. This would save some money. Get rid of illegals that are crippling our economy. You could go non union on some jobs and save . Take low bids reguardless.Just a few thoughts. Thank you. NIX cap and trade.

# 78:

2:32 pm PDT, Jun 29, Margaret J Murgatroyd, Ohio

# 77:

2:22 pm PDT, Jun 29, James Feldner, Ohio
You have cut our salaries and now you want to cut my child's schooling? We will have to take even more of a salary cut to find child care which will not educate my child like ELI has It is a wonderful program and has done wonders for my child. PLEASE DO NOT CUT ELI! It is quality child care/education that has helped my child become successful!

# 76:

6:16 am PDT, Jun 29, Connie Perry, Ohio
The ELI program in our area, which is a rural and poverty stricken area, is a critical component of Early child care. Our program serves a small number of ELI children but in their lives we make a lasting impact. How can we cut a program designed to assist families already struggling and put our children on the back burner?

# 75:

4:59 am PDT, Jun 29, Sharon Perkins, Michigan

# 74:

7:48 pm PDT, Jun 28, Amal Kanan, Ohio

# 73:

4:55 pm PDT, Jun 28, Stephanie Catterall, Ohio
With the proposal to cut the ELI program completely out of Ohio, what does that mean for our children? Many will end up staying at home alone or with a relative who will not be able to do the things neccessary for these children to be ready for kindergarten. Do people actually know what is expected from children? If you dont, you should go to Ohio's Early Learning Content Standards and take a look. Its a booklet full of everything from Math to Social Studies criteria children to need to know to be kindergarten ready. PLEASE, for the future of Ohio's children and teachers who would be out of jobs, do not cut this program.

# 72:

11:24 am PDT, Jun 28, Katie Bonifas, Ohio
As an ELI teacher, I think it would be horrible to take the amazing opportunities that children gain through this program away from them. Most of the families and children that I know from my center will have their whole lives turned upside down if ELI program is phased out. I have poured my blood sweat and tears in to these kids and their education, and I would hate to have that be for nothing. I believe this program gives these children opportunities that will make them successful as they enter school. The teachers that I work with have our childrens best interest at heart and we do not want to see them and their families effected by these budget cuts. PLEASE SAVE ELI and remember our kids are our FUTURE. Give them the opportunities that they deserve. They don't have a voice on this subject at the tender age of 3-5, So I will speak on behalf of my little friends...WE NEED THIS PROGRAM!

# 71:

9:00 pm PDT, Jun 27, Nadine Reid, Ohio
We need ELI, our children are our foundation!

# 70:

8:42 pm PDT, Jun 27, Phyllis Cannon, Ohio

# 69:

6:50 pm PDT, Jun 27, Jan Sayre, Ohio
If they cut this program it will be a serious mistake. The children of OH need this, find cuts somewhere else. What about NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND???????????????

# 68:

1:45 pm PDT, Jun 27, Name not displayed, Ohio

# 67:

11:06 am PDT, Jun 27, Fatima Abdelkarim, Ohio

# 66:

7:08 am PDT, Jun 27, Stephanie Ralph, Ohio
My 5 year old son has been a part of the ELI program since he was age eligible (3 years old). Less than a year ago he was diagnosed with autism. I feel that if it was not for the ELI program he would not have succeeded as much as he has. I ask you Governor Ted Strickland have you seen proof where the ELI program is non effective? Why don't you give the ELI program some of the stimulus money that you are giving to Head Start? If you compare KRAL scores I think that you will see that the ELI program is a strong and effective program for our children. The future lies within our children why take their education away from them. It is even sad to think that you are willing to give up a program for children and help bail out banks that are in debt. I hope that you make the right decision and decide to help fund our ELI program in our state.

# 65:

5:40 am PDT, Jun 27, Gretchen Todorovich, Ohio
don't let this happen sign and take care of our children's furture

# 64:

10:53 pm PDT, Jun 26, Name not displayed, Ohio
The effects of cutting or reducing funding to programs like ELI will only be fully understood in a few years. By then, it will be too difficult to reverse or undo the damage caused.

# 63:

8:29 pm PDT, Jun 26, Jennifer Tappe, Ohio
Now is not the time to make it harder for parents to go to work or obtain the necessary education and training parents need to secure stable employment to ultimately provide for their family. Cutting here would ultimately cost ths state more long-term. Don't jeapordize childrens' future. Quality, accessible early childcare is a necessity now more than ever!!

# 62:

8:12 pm PDT, Jun 26, Steve Hammond, Ohio
Don't take away what is desperatley needed!

# 61:

7:51 pm PDT, Jun 26, Justina Morgan, Ohio

# 60:

5:10 pm PDT, Jun 26, Lori Carr, Ohio

# 59:

5:04 pm PDT, Jun 26, Jacklyn Capers, Ohio
Save our children's futures.

Can we afford to deny the future?

# 58:

4:28 pm PDT, Jun 26, Name not displayed, Ohio

# 57:

3:51 pm PDT, Jun 26, Linda Camarata, Ohio
I cannot believe that Gov. Strickland wants to cut this greatly needed program to help the unfortunate children of our State. What is wrong with him!!

# 56:

3:50 pm PDT, Jun 26, Jonathan Pressnell, Ohio

# 55:

3:23 pm PDT, Jun 26, Sarah Hill, Michigan
Early education is the most important to for all children.

# 54:

3:02 pm PDT, Jun 26, Susan Klimkowski, Ohio
I am very disappointed about the ELI cuts. I worked hard to get my school the UPK grant and now it looks as though there may not be preschool.

# 53:

12:44 pm PDT, Jun 26, Kristina Salgado, Arkansas

# 52:

12:37 pm PDT, Jun 26, Terrance Randolph, Ohio
IT"S JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO! WHY WOULD THERE HAVE TO BE A DEBATE! WHY WOULD THERE HAVE TO BE A DISCUSSION! WHY WOULD YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HELPING A CHILD! WHO IN THERE RIGHT MIND WOULD VOTE TO NOT HELP A CHILD! SERIOUSLY!

WHY IS IT WHEN OUR GOVERMNET NEEDS TO MAKE CUTS, THE CHILDREN, OUR FUTURE, ALWAYS SEEM TO SUFFER! IT'S ALMOST AS IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR CHILDRENS FUTURE! MAKING CUTS IN EDUCATION, CHILD CARE, EVEN LIBRARIES? WITHOUT PROPER EDUCATION AND LEARNING TOOLS, WHAT POSITIVE AFFECT CAN OUR CHILDEN MAKE FOR THE FUTURE OF OUT STATE... OUR COUNTRY! OUR WORLD! I AM QUITE SURE THAT I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO RUN A STATE LET ALONE A COUNTRY. THAT'S WHY WE WHO DON'T KNOW, ELECT YOU WHO DO! SO, I NEED SOMEONE TO EXPLAIN IT TO ME LIKE A TWO YEAR OLD WHY THERE IS EVEN A THOUGHT ABOUT MAKING THESE CUTS! THE CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE! WE'VE ALREADY DONE OUR PART IN MESSING UP THIS PLACE WE CALL HOME! WHY NOT PLEASE, PLEASE GIVE THEM A CHANCE! THE CHILDREN ARE LOOKING TO US, THE RESPONSIBLE ADULTS, TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES! UNTIL THEY ARE 18, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE ONES! WHY WOULD YOU CHOSE FOR ANY REASON NOT TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE! MAKE ME UNDERSTAND SO I CAN EXPLAIN IT TO MY CHILD! HELP US TO HELP THEM!

# 51:

12:26 pm PDT, Jun 26, Jackie Plantner, Ohio

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