Date: Fri, 01 May 98 17:25:29 EST From: "CDFupdate" To: cdfupdate@automailer.com Subject: CDF Update 5-1-98 Sender: owner-cdfupdate@automailer.com Children's Defense Fund Update May 5, 1998 In This Issue: -- Child Care -- Children's Health *** Child Care *** --- IMPORTANT CHILD CARE VOTE COMING SOON! --- During the week of May 18th, the U.S. Senate will vote on a bill that is key to our child care effort -- a Senate tobacco tax bill. This tobacco tax bill is very important to our efforts to win a major investment in child care funding because it may include increased funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). This may be our best opportunity this year to win funding for a major increase for child care. It is clear that by promoting children's healthy development and learning and helping children make good choices, quality child care programs are effective tools to reduce teen smoking. After school programs have been found to be successful in reducing likelihood that children, particularly preteens and teenagers from engaging in risky behaviors like smoking and sex. However, an increase in funding for the CCDBG will not be included in the Senate tobacco tax bill unless we share this message with our Senators. Call your U.S. Senators today! Here's the message: "Vote for child care funding in the Senate tobacco bill when it comes to the floor on May 18th. This will help curb teen smoking and promote children's healthy development." You can reach Senators by calling the U.S. Congressional switchboard at 1-202/ 224-3121. The switchboard operator can help you identify your Senators and connect you to deliver your message. Please call as soon as possible! *** Children's Health *** ---ADVOCATES TOOL KIT FOR STATE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM-- ** NOW AVAILABLE -- Advocates Tool Kit for the new State Children's Health Insurance Program. Tool kits can be purchased from CDF's publication department for $4.95, plus $2.00 shipping. This tool kit provides advocates with easy to use fact sheets, state tables, and in- depth information on uninsured children across the country. Order your copy today. If you are interested in receiving a copy, please send a check to: CDF Publications Division 25 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Please include the a note with your check stating your check is for an Advocates Tool Kit for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and an address where you would like us to send your tool kit. ****************************************************************** -- OUR STRENGTH IS IN OUR NUMBERS -- SHARE THIS LEGISLATIVE UPDATE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!!! Our typical email is about a page or two long and generally comes once a week. To join our legislative update email list, sign-up on our website or send an email to: and write in the body of the message: subscribe cdfupdate PLEASE NOTE: WHEN SUBSCRIBING OR CANCELING YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, PLEASE DO NOT SURROUND YOUR ADDRESS WITH BRACKETS. Kimberly Taylor Children's Defense Fund 25 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202/662-3540 (fax) CDFupdate@childrensdefense.org "Children are our most valuable natural resource." - Herbert Hoover