Healthy Schools Network statement on federal deficit

Nov. 13, 2012 - PRLog -- STATEMENT FROM CLAIRE BARNETT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

“As an organization centered on healthy futures for all children, we support the President’s comments on a balanced approach to reducing the deficit and generating revenues.

We recognize that children do not vote and they don’t have a PAC, suggesting their needs are easy to overlook. We also know that children are 100% of our future. We must invest in the future of children and in the future of their families, by preserving and expanding the health, education, environment, and community services that they need”, said Claire Barnett, Executive Director, Healthy Schools Network.

Beyond new aid for school buildings damaged by severe climate events, at the federal level, the President and congressional leaders should restore full staffing and resources for U.S. EPA’s IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) Tools for Schools program and its Green, Healthy Schools Initiative at greater than fiscal year 2010 levels, focusing on restoring national and regional grants and staffing. Also, federal officials should fund and staff federal agencies such as the Center for Disease Control, Environmental Protection Agency, Education, Energy, Labor and Homeland Security to develop a time-lined coordinated federal strategy to address healthy school environments for all children, including high performance school design, siting, construction, and the greening of existing schools with preventive maintenance and targeted retrofits.

Finally congress should fund school construction/renovation and urgent repairs -- such as the repairs desperately needed post climate events, consistent with enacted laws and guidelines to ensure that renovated facilities are healthy places for children.

Healthy Schools Network is a national award winning not for profit organization that has secured state and federal reforms to address children’s health and ability to learn and the conditions of schools.  See www.HealthySchools.org