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We're continuing to make our communities safe and fun for all. Every child deserves play >

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Dear John,

Medicaid funding plays a vital role in supporting children’s health and well-being; the funding is used by schools to ensure all kids are able to learn and thrive.

With Medicaid, schools are able to put supports in place that allow students, like Prince, to grow. As a Playworks Junior Coach, Prince learned valuable life skills. "One time I was playing soccer, and I was the goalie," Prince shared. "The other team scored a goal, and I felt really frustrated. I wanted to quit or say something mean. Instead, I took a deep breath and stayed calm. That’s called being resilient—it means staying strong and not giving up, even when things are hard."

Congress is considering significantly cutting Medicaid, a move that would reduce student access to health services provided at school. And, these cuts would have ripple effects on students, schools, and communities, many of which would be forced to increase taxes and reduce or eliminate programs and services, including non-Medicaid services, to fund school budgets.

Like you, we want the best for every kid. That means we have to take action now. Please take two minutes and Urge Congress to Reject Cuts to Medicaid, using this simple form, provided by our friends at Healthy School Campaign, to reach out to your local member of Congress.

Sincerely,

signature Elizabeth Cushing.jpg
Elizabeth Cushing
CEO
Playworks

PLAYWORKS FOR. . .

KIDS

		Students Move More in Playful Communities Active kids are happier and healthier. Play increases student physical activity. At Playworks, we provide adults with the tools and resources to help get all students actively engaged in games and activities. Because kids are motivated to play, the kids in Playworks schools move more, sit less, and return to class focused and ready to learn. How Playworks gets kids active.

SCHOOLS

		Creating a Spark Staff from more than 300 schools and organizations across the country are learning from Playworks' subscription-based, online tool: SparkPlay. SparkPlay provides on-demand, play-based workshops, games, best practices, and professional guidance for school and youth development staff. The 12-month, rolling subscription gives access to all school or organization staff members anytime, anywhere. Learn more: Playworks online learning.

COMMUNITIES

		Schoolwide Recess Change Last year, Principal Minh Strusz felt Hoover Elementary School’s school staff spent too much time managing playground incidents, student conflicts, and transitions back to class. Principal Strusz knows play is essential for kids, providing students with essential daily movement, social connections, and practice solving problems. That is why Principal Strusz connected with Playworks to make a difference. This kickstarted a year of change. How one partner school transformed recess.

OUR SHARED FUTURE

		Voices for National Service For 20 years, Playworks has partnered with AmeriCorps across the country pairing adults who wish to serve their communities with kids who need to play and schools who need their support. More than 2,500 Playworks AmeriCorps members have completed 1,700 hours of services at Playworks partner schools, providing class game times, recess-support, and youth leadership programs, and more.

AmeriCorps members serve at thousands of organizations nationwide. This spring, over 1,000 programs across the country had their funding cut--thankfully Playworks was not one of these. That was until a federal judge ordered the grants restored in 24 states, but not federally. Action works! And yet the fight for AmeriCorps will continue in all of the robust conversations pertaining to the next federal budget. Please take one minute to tell your member of Congress that you believe in the power of community service.

Tell Congress to support AmeriCorps.

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