Public Policy

Delaware AAUW 2010-2012 Biennial Action Priorities

To support a strong system of public education that promotes gender fairness, equity and diversity, AAUW advocates:

• Adequate and equitable funding for quality public education for all students;
• Funding of public libraries and support programs;
• Vigorous enforcement of Title IX, opposition to Vouchers to non public schools;
• Increased support for and access to higher education for women and disadvantaged population;
• Increased support for programs that break through barriers for women and girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

To achieve economic self-sufficiency for all women, AAUW advocates:

• Pay equity and fairness in compensation;
• Programs that provide women with education, training and support for success in the workforce, including non-traditional occupations;
• Continuing support for aging out foster children;
• *Provisions for affordable quality early care and education, including elimination of the premium in the Delaware Healthy Children’s Program and maintaining present support level for Purchase of Care for preschool education.

To guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse society, AAUW advocates:

• Freedom from violence and fear of violence in homes, schools, workplaces and communities;
• Increased access to health care and family planning services and expansion of patients' rights;
• Separation of church and state in schools and government;
• Support for the safety of pro choice providers;
• Voting rights for the disenfranchised;
• A fair and balanced redistricting political process.

*The Healthy Children's program uses federal funding to provide for uninsured children nationwide. However, in Delaware there is a premium to cover the state's part of the expense which causes many poor families not to register for the insurance---or to register when a leg is broken, but fail to keep up the premiums in later months. Other states have much higher registration and find ways to use money not expended by more stringent states like Delaware. It is in the best interest of young children that they receive appropriate medical care. 20,000 children in Delaware remain uninsured.

Delaware"s Purchase of Care (POC) is a child care subsidy that supports early childhood and after school education and care for more than 15,000 children from birth through age 12 who live within 200% of the Federal Poverty Limit. Delaware's POC rates are lower than the rates for equivalent care in our surrounding states. AAUW has supported that the POC should eventually be raised because most preschools cannot afford to accept many POC supported students, and we believe early childhood education is very important.

Member Input

The strength of the two-year AAUW Public Policy Program is that it originates and ends with the membership. The adoption of the Association's two-year Public Policy Program at each national convention is the culmination of a process involving AAUW members nationwide.

Spread the Word About the AAUW Public Policy Program!

The public policy program underscores AAUW’s mission of promoting equity and education for all women and girls. The work of AAUW builds upon a century of responsible public participation at the local, state, national, and international levels. AAUW is committed to working in partnership with diverse allies.

To learn more about AAUW Public Policy visit www.aauw.org or call the AAUW Helpline at (800) 326-2289