Washington, D.C. – Kris Perry, Executive Director of the First Five Years Fund (FFYF), released the following statement following the confirmation of U.S. Representative Tom Price, M.D. (R-GA) as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):
“High-quality early learning and care programs are integral to supporting American families and ensuring all children have an opportunity for a strong start in life.
“In his new role at HHS, Secretary Price will play a pivotal role overseeing some of the most consequential federal early learning programs, including the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program, Head Start, Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships and the Preschool Development Grants Program.
“These programs and others have established a proven record of success serving young children and their families. The First Five Years Fund looks forward to working with Secretary Price, the Trump Administration, and bipartisan champions in Congress to build on the success of these programs in order to help improve life for more children and families across America.”
FFYF is a bipartisan organization that provides deep knowledge and resources to advocate for proven investments in federal policies that support the first five years of a child’s life. Research shows investing in quality early childhood education programs – especially for disadvantaged children – creates greater returns for all Americans by improving education, health, and economic productivity nationwide.
FFYF recently released its “Early Childhood Education Policy Framework” to kick-start a solution-oriented conversation between Congress and the Trump Administration. This framework highlights how strengthening existing early childhood programs can help establish a well-financed continuum of high-quality education and care from birth through age five.
To learn more about FFYF or the Policy Framework, visit http://www.ffyf.org/.