There is active work being done in Congress to help babies get the diapers they need. We need YOUR help to push it further along.
Normally I try to stay out of politics aside from the pseudo-political discussions I have with Stewart after he watches Fox News. But now I am moved to take action.
I have been an active supporter of Help a Mother Out since May of 2009. Basically, my work with them included talking about the cause and getting people to donate diapers to homeless shelters and diaper banks throughout Southern California. But part of HAMO’s mission is to affect public policy so as to create change on a larger scale.
A few weeks ago, HAMO co-founder Lisa Truong went to Capitol Hill to meet with 2 Congressional Representatives and California’s U.S. Senators to gain support for the “Diaper Investment and Aid to Promote Economic Recovery (“DIAPER”) Act.”. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced this original piece of legislation shortly thereafter.
Basically, the bill will make it possible for daycare facilities to use their current federal aid funds to purchase diapers and wipes. Currently, they can’t use the money for that.
It’s a tiny change that doesn’t require any new funding from anyone. But it’s a huge step forward in the struggle for national governmental recognition that diaper need is a real problem.
At this point we need to place our phone calls and emails to our representatives and ask them to co-sponsor this bill. For all the goofy, sweet, and tear-jerking ways to use social media to show your support for The Diaper Act, visit HAMO’s diaper act page. Expect to see this goofiness up in here pretty soon.
- Contact your U.S. legislators today at their Washington D.C. office. Find your U.S. Congressperson here . Find your U.S. Senator here. Phone calls to their D.C. office are best, a direct email is good too. Word on the street is online petitions are weighted less by legislators, which is why we are asking you to contact your representatives the old fashioned way today.
- Tell them you want them to co-sponsor the DIAPER Bill, sponsored by Representative DeLauro. Here is a form letter you can copy/paste/customize in email.
- Ask your legislator to contact DeLauro’s office (Leticia Mederos atle*************@********se.gov or call 202-225-3661)
Just this month the Wall Street Journal reported on diaper need in this tough economy. It is time to act on behalf of vulnerable families. We can change public policy. Thank you for changing the world with your phone call and email today. We cannot do this without you.
HAMO is a proud member of The Diaper Difference Coalition
The DIAPER ACT:
Purpose of the legislation: To increase access to child care and relieve economic strain on families who cannot otherwise afford sufficient diapers for their children by amending the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to provide diapers and diapering supplies to families in need through child care providers. There is no increase in appropriation (i.e., no ask for additional federal funds) required for this legislation.
Provisions of the Legislation: Provide access to child care. A recent survey of mothers found that 4% of mothers have cut back on child care because they could not afford an adequate supply of diapers. The same study found that, in families where having enough diapers is a struggle, 22% of mothers have stayed home with their child when they were supposed to be elsewhere because they did not have enough diapers.
This is a definitional change and does NOT require any additional appropriations. The bill seeks only a definitional change that allows Child Care Development Funds to be used for diapers to improve child care quality and access.
Quick links:
Talking Points: http://www.scribd.com/doc/
The Diaper Act: http://www.scribd.com/doc/
Diaper Act description: http://www.scribd.com/doc/
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