Urge Governor Patrick to Restore Funding to YPP With New Education Dollars

President Obama approved $655 million in federal funding for Massachusetts on Tuesday, August 10. Governor Patrick can allocate $200 million of these dollars to education without the legislature’s approval. 

Although YPP is administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance, it is an education program that experienced devastating cuts in the fiscal year 2011 budget. If funding is not restored to this program, over 300 ready and willing pregnant and parenting teens will not go back to school this year.

Take Action!

1. Call Governor Patrick as soon as possible to urge him to allocate $2 million of the new $200 million in federal education funds to the Young Parent Alternative Education Program (YPP). Please see below for the Governor's number and a script for your call.  Please report back to Liz Umbro when you make a call (umbro@massteenpregnancy.org).
2. Write Governor Patrick a letter to urge him to allocate $2 million of the $200 million to YPP. Please incorporate whatever you like from the Alliance's letter into your letter.

Pass this alert along and mobilize as many people as possible to call and write the Governor! Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of teen parents!

Governor Patrick’s office number: 888.870.7770

Script
Hi, my name is ____________, and I am calling from _________________(city/town) to urge Governor Patrick to allocate $2 million of the $200 million in federal education funds approved on Tuesday to the Young Parent Alternative Education Program. Although this program is administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance, it is an education program. Fiscal year 2011 budget cuts to this program mean over 300 ready and willing pregnant and parenting teens will not go back to school this year unless the Governor takes action!
Thank you