CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE, ADVOCATES CALL FOR INCREASED INVESTMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

(Rochester, N.Y.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle was joined by local advocates to call out the Trump administration’s failure to prioritize early childhood education and kindergarten readiness.

“Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have turned their backs on our kids—and Rochester will not stay silent,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I refuse to accept a future where Rochester’s children have fewer opportunities than the generation before them, and I’m grateful to the many local partners like the ROC the Future Alliance who work tirelessly to connect our families with the programs and resources their children need. Together, we’re not going to let anyone cut away at our children’s future.”

Brian Lewis, Executive Director of the ROC the Future Alliance, said: “As a convener of Rochester's parents, youth, educators, and community partners, ROC the Future Alliance is committed to ensuring every child is school ready, supported and successful from cradle to career. Federal cuts to education threaten early learning and dismantle pathways to upward mobility for our young people. Investing in education is not optional—it’s essential. At this critical moment, we encourage Rochester families to stand with us in defending the progress we’ve made for our young people.”

Lucia Colindres, Chief Program Officer for the Ibero-American Action League, Inc., said: “For more than three decades, Ibero-American Action League’s Early Childhood Center has been a cornerstone for Rochester’s families, providing children with the foundation to learn, grow, and thrive. We are deeply committed to our community and the many children we serve, and we will continue to stand strong against harmful cuts that threaten their future.” 

Jerome H. Underwood, President & CEO of Action for a Better Community, said: “Action for a Better Community has proudly operated the Head Start program in Rochester for 60 years, serving generations of families with high-quality, no-cost early childhood education and family support. We know that investing in young children yields lifelong benefits — from school readiness to stronger communities. Continued federal and state funding for Head Start and Pre-K is not just an investment in children; it is an investment in equity, opportunity, and indeed Rochester’s future. We are grateful to Congressman Morelle and Rochester's state delegation for their commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to the strong start they deserve.”

Larry Marx, CEO of The Children’s Agenda, said: “90% of a child’s brain develops by age 5. Infants and toddlers under 5 are a little over 5% of our population – but they are 100% of our future. And that future is endangered if Congress fails to at least hold steady if not increase investments in Head Start, child care, early intervention and preschool. Those are proven, effective supports for children and their parents, especially the most vulnerable and most at risk – from rural communities to urban neighborhoods. These programs can change the trajectory of a child’s life. Budgets are moral documents. Every one of our children deserves the strongest early care and education supports we can give their families in Congress' upcoming appropriations bill.”

Since Day One, the Trump administration has balked at their responsibility to invest in education and have effectively turned their back on America’s children, including those right here in Rochester. According to the House Budget Committee, the Trump administration has canceled over $400 million in grant funding to help close learning gaps, train teachers, and support students in crisis. They’ve also taken aim at numerous federal education programs with the ultimate goal of closing down the U.S. Department of Education altogether, leaving students, teachers, and families stranded.

Congressman Morelle has been a long-time advocate of increasing federal funding for education, including supporting initiatives like Head Start, the expanded Child Tax Credit, Universal Pre-K, among other critical programs. To learn more about Congressman Morelle’s ongoing work to safeguard education for students at every level, visit his website here.

To learn more about the ROC the Future Alliance and their work to create academic and social-emotional success for every child, visit their website here.

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