Child advocates praise Obama jobs plan

Aid will help families buffeted by stagnant economy, joblessness

WASHINGTON – Voices for America’s Children, the nation’s largest network of multi-issue child advocacy groups, today praised President Obama’s plan to extend greater aid to American workers and families struggling with unemployment and a sputtering economy.

“As unemployment remains high, we must remember that jobs lost often mean family health coverage lost, economic security lost and even food security lost,” said Bill Bentley, president and CEO of Voices for America’s Children. “The spikes in demand for food stamps and other services show that families are still hurting, and need more help as we await economic recovery.”

In an address to Congress Thursday night, President Obama outlined a plan to bolster employment known as the American Jobs Act. The plan would cut payroll taxes for employees and small businesses and make large investments in infrastructure. Child advocates applauded proposals to provide state aid to prevent teacher layoffs, expand unemployment insurance benefits, and provide $30 billion in support for school districts.

Child advocates voiced concern that the congressional “super committee,” already tasked with finding significant federal budget cuts, will be under more pressure to slash benefit programs to pay for Obama’s $447 billion jobs plan.

“President Obama’s plan not only promotes new hiring and investment, but provides vital unemployment insurance for those families that have lost a breadwinner to this terrible economic downturn,” said Jim Horan, executive director of the Connecticut Association for Human Services. “We hope that Congress looks past ideology and partisanship to help provide this vital aid for children and families.”

“Children are facing tremendous hardships and greater numbers of them are slipping into poverty each day,” said Roy Miller, president of The Children’s Campaign in Florida.  “It’s time for all political leaders, including the president through his American Jobs Act, to speak more directly to America’s children. What is the plan to meet their need for a roof over their head, nutritious food, access to medical care, and schools that respond to individual and community challenges?”

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As the nation’s largest network of multi-issue child advocacy organizations, Voices for America’s Children (Voices) has been on the forefront of every major child policy victory for the past quarter-century. With 62 members nationwide, Voices speaks up for kids, and mobilizes and advocates for public policies to improve the lives of all children, especially those most vulnerable, throughout the United States. Visit us at www.voices.org.

Voices is a founding member of the Children’s Leadership Council, a coalition of more than 50 leading national policy and advocacy organizations. www.childrensleadershipcouncil.com.