Advocacy Alert — Call Your Legislators to Restore Funding to YPP!

Here at the Alliance, we’ve spent a lot of time over the past few years talking with teen parents about education. We know that for many teen parents, education becomes more important after the birth of a child. And we also know that teen parents still face far too many barriers to accessing education. Because of these reasons, we work hard to advocate for funding of the Young Parent Alternative Education Program (YPP), which is the only state funded alternative education program specifically designed to meet the needs of young parents. Due to the economic crisis, state programs across the board have experienced funding decreases over the past few years. Unfortunately, YPP has been hit especially hard by these cuts — most recently with a 33% reduction in funding, which has seriously jeopardized several programs in the state.

The Governor has recently informed the media that he plans to file a supplemental budget by the end of the year. We need to ensure that a restoration of funding for YPP is included in this budget! Given the looming $2 Billion budget deficit in Fiscal Year 2012, the supplemental budget is our last opportunity to restore funding to this important program, so we need as many people to make calls as possible. Teens and staff at YPPs across the state have pulled out all the stops to ensure that their legislators and the governor understand the importance of restoring funding to YPP, through phone calls, emails, letters, and videos. To see some of this great advocacy work, please check out these short videos from Yasmin, Nancy, Linda, Jennyfer, Omaila, and Maxiel.

It only takes a few minutes to make phone calls to legislators and the governor, and is one of the best ways to show them the importance of YPP to teen parents. If you are a registered Massachusetts voter, please take a few minutes during the next week to call your legislators, so that they understand the importance of restoring funding to YPP in the supplemental budget. We need to ensure that no young parents who want to further their education are denied this opportunity!

You can find your Senator and Representatives and their contact information here: www.wheredoivotema.com. Governor Patrick can be reached at 888.870.7770. Below is a script for your calls and talking points:

Script

Hi, my name is ____________, and I am calling from _________________(city/town) to urge Representative/Senator/Governor ____________to allocate $2 million to the Young Parent Alternative Education Program. YPPs are suffering from a 33% reduction in funding from Fiscal Year 2010, and this has caused a young parent alternative education crisis in Massachusetts. Please restore $2 million in funding to line item DTA 4401-1000. Fund this critical education program now and avoid the associated costs of increased dropout rates later. Thank you.

Talking Points

What we are asking for: That legislators restore $2 million in funding to the Young Parent Alternative Education Program (YPP).

• YPP is Effective: 98% of YPP students attain a GED or high school diploma, enter skills training or gain employment, pursue post-secondary education and/or advance 2 grade levels each year (DTA fiscal year 2010 outcomes data)
• YPP Reduces Dropout Costs: When teen parents attain their high school diplomas or GEDs, Massachusetts saves millions in welfare, health care, housing and support service costs associated with dropout
• YPP Improves Outcomes for Teen Parents’ Children: Maternal education is a key predictor of a child’s academic success1 2

• 1. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, Why it matters: Teen Pregnancy and Education
• 2. Magnuson, K.A. and McGroder, S. M. Northwestern University and Child Trends (2008) The effect of increasing welfare mothers’ education on their young children’s academic problems and school readiness