Why the ECEAP needs to stay!

I recently facebook'd a quick message regarding the continuance of the ECEAP schooling system (link above). Now, I am friends with quite a few hardline conservatives, and I hope that this explanation might help a few of you see why some social programs need to stick around. This particular program is considered part of the "discretionary budget" of our state, and thusly faces being cut due to the current deficit. Governor Gregoire is considering imposing an extra "sin tax" to keep it in existence, and I implore all of you to take a quick moment and send her an email in support of this decision. An extra few cents on cigarettes (I need to quit anyways!), or liquor (c'mon, seriously, 10 cents on a bottle ain't bad, folks) is NOT to much to pay for the benefits of a program like this.
So, here's why ECEAP needs to stay, in ways even a fiscal conservative can appreciate!
1) The educational benefits: My son had to attend this program when he was 4. I had called the district regarding his noticeable delay, and they sent out a team of folks to assess him. It was confirmed that he was behind, developmentally (this was in the beginning of our diagnosis process), and determined that being placed in the ECEAP would perhaps bring him up to speed. While my son's delays were more serious and have since required continued special education, many children placed in this program early on are indeed able to be caught up. Those children may have otherwise needed to go into special education for their first few years of schooling, but because this program was there to help, did not need further assistance. So, there's a big reason for you: Keeps a large amount of children out of special education. That's a lot of budget dollars saved right there.
2) the low-income benefits: Ok, I know a TON of you are against any welfare assistance of any sort. But here's a damn good reason to continue this one...it keeps people off of other assistance programs. They've proven this very clearly already. Parents who qualify for their children to be placed in these schools based on income are then able to work and stay OFF of other assistance programs. Often times people forget how incredibly expensive child care is, and often times this single expense can force a single parent onto another government assistance program, such as welfare of TANF. With the cost of putting a child into daycare eating into basic household budgets, many parents are forced to look into assistance programs. It's a vicious cycle, really. You work your butt off to put a roof over your heads and food on the table, but to work you have to put your child into care. You can't afford to put your child into care, so you end up not being able to "afford to go to work". It's brutal, really. But with a program like this, you can instead spend all that childcare money on your actual needs, instead of having to ask the govt to pay for HUD housing or foodstamps. Once the child goes into school, the daycare needs are alleviated, and you are able to remain working, paying your bills, and OFF govt handouts. Keep in mind, the schooling is only for preschool, ages 2-4. But those 2 years can make or break a household, especially that of a single parent.
So, if you think these types of programs are worth a few measily dimes on your vices, I urge you to write the governors office. Here's a link, it takes just a few minutes to send a message!!

http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/

And if you still feel like this government program is a waste of tax payer dollars, please think for a moment how many dollars it saves. Reducing the number of children in SPE programs, reduces the amount of families on other assistance programs, allows parents to get back to work...seriously, how can you not support this???