Please contact your U.S. Representative by close of business today and ask him or her to sign on to the “Davis-Biggert” Dear Colleague appropriations sign-on letter recommending increased funding in FY2011 for Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) and Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) programs.
The EHCY and RHYA programs are the only federal programs targeted exclusively to homeless children and youth. The EHCY program removes barriers to the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youth in school. RHYA programs provide critical outreach, shelter, and transitional living resources to the nation’s unaccompanied homeless youth. Funding for both programs fall far short of the amounts necessary to meet needs, particularly in the wake of the economic recession.
U.S. Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL) and Judy Biggert (R-IL) have just put into circulation a Dear Colleague appropriations sign-on letter recommending $140 million for EHCY programs and $165 million for the RHYA program. The letter closes on Monday, March 22 2010.
Please contact your U.S. Representative immediately and ask them to add their names to the Dear Colleague letter. Given the short time period, please use the online system and make a phone call, as per below.
Thank you,
Meg Costello Public Policy Analyst Colorado Coalition for the Homeless 303-285-5220mcostello@coloradocoalition.org