The soft-spoken voices of Paola Cabrera and Samah Metwaly told powerful stories of immigration, education and success at the state Capitol.

The two Apple Valley women were part of a convoy of parents, children and staff from the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District's Early Childhood Family Services (ECFS) program, who made the trek to meet with legislators March 28 and advocate for more funding.

"Our key message is for parents to tell how our programs have impacted their families," said Karen Kellar, director of ECFS in District 196. Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), School Readiness and Family School fall under the ECFS umbrella.

In small groups, advocates visited nine south of the river legislators. Cabrera and Metwaly spoke with Burnsville-Eagan Sen. Jim Carlson, DFL-38, and Apple Valley-Burnsville Rep. Shelley Madore, DFL-37A.

"It went well," said Matwaly. "I think they understand us and they will help us continue this program."

Both Matwaly, originally from Egypt, and Cabrera, from Mexico, are participants in District 196 Family School, a collaborative educational program for adults and their children, from birth to age 5. The purpose of the program is to help immigrant families increase their English and literacy skills while children receive early childhood classroom experience.

"My son, he is happy. He is learning to speak English," said Cabrera. "I speak to people in English."

Cabrera came to the United States with her husband five years ago and is the mother of three children, ages 12, 7 and 18 months. Since starting Family School a month ago, Cabrera said she has learned more English in speaking, reading and writing, computer skills, and parenting skills.

Matwaly said she, too, has improved her English and parenting skills.

"It gives me confidence to talk with other people," she said. "It makes me better in conversation and I'm learning about my children. I learn about their development and they learn more English."

Matwaly and her husband came here five years ago and they now have three children ages 7, 3 and 1.

"This is one of my favorite days of the year," said Bret Busse, EFFS Foundation board member. "When legislators meet these families, they see how these programs are helping."

The state is responsible for a percentage of school districts' early childhood programming. The funding formula is based on the number of children in the district under age 5. Cuts dropped the funding from $120 to $104 per child in 2002, which was raised to $112 in 2005.

"It's still not enough to restore programming to what it was," said Busse.

The goal of the Capitol visit, sponsored by the ECFS Foundation and the ECFE Advisory Board, was to gain support for a measure to restore funding to the 2002 level of $120 per child, and ideally raise the rate to $132 per child.

"For programs like Family School, we serve only about half of the families who would like to be in the program," Busse said.

With $132 per child, ECFS could serve more Family School participants and bring back many of the classes that were cut in 2002.

The funds would also be put toward helping families in transition, either through opening another ECFS location or by providing additional transportation.

"Woodland Elementary would be a great place for a school readiness program," Busse said. "Without some increase in our amount of funds, there's no possible way to do it."

Madore, a former ECFE participant herself, said she fully supports the proposal to restore the funding to $120 per child and raise it to $132. She herself was advocating for additional funding in 1995, ironically, to the $120 level.

"The idea that we're still trying to keep funding at $120 is making me a little nuts," she said. "We'll keep fighting the fight to keep some dollars."

The March 28 visit to the Capitol was a first for ECFS Advisory Board parent Lisa Kula of Apple Valley. She met with Lakeville Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-36B, and Sen. Pat Pariseau, R-36.

"I was surprised," said Kula. "It was pretty positive."

She and her daughter, Ashley, 5, started attending ECFE classes when Ashley was13 months old.

"If you want to start your child's education on a positive note, that's very important," she said.

The District 196 ECFS Foundation was established two years ago to help raise ECFS funding and awareness.

"We'd like the state to understand and support funding; we'd like the school board to understand and support funding," said Busse.

In addition to organizing the annual Capitol trip, the Foundation conducts fundraisers and applies for grants.

"The goal of our Foundation, our ultimate goal, is to not exist," said Busse.

Busse starting taking ECFE classes in 2000 when his daughter, Claire, was 6 months old. Both the advice from educated professionals and from fellow parents made a world of difference to his family, which has grown to three children.

"That kind of information and education truly makes you a better parent," he said.

For more information on District 196 ECFS, visit www.district196.org/ec/ or call 952-431-8340.

(You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.)

The state is responsible for a percentage of school districts' early childhood programming. The funding formula is based on the number of children in the district under age 5. Cuts dropped the funding from $120 to $104 per child in 2002, which was raised to $112 in 2005.

"It's still not enough to restore programming to what it was," said Busse.

The goal of the Capitol visit, sponsored by the ECFS Foundation and the ECFE Advisory Board, was to gain support for a measure to restore funding to the 2002 level of $120 per child, and ideally raise the rate to $132 per child.

"For programs like Family School, we serve only about half of the families who would like to be in the program," Busse said.

With $132 per child, ECFS could serve more Family School participants and bring back many of the classes that were cut in 2002.

The funds would also be put toward helping families in transition, either through opening another ECFS location or by providing additional transportation.

"Woodland Elementary would be a great place for a school readiness program," Busse said. "Without some increase in our amount of funds, there's no possible way to do it."

Madore, a former ECFE participant herself, said she fully supports the proposal to restore the funding to $120 per child and raise it to $132. She herself was advocating for additional funding in 1995, ironically, to the $120 level.

"The idea that we're still trying to keep funding at $120 is making me a little nuts," she said. "We'll keep fighting the fight to keep some dollars."

The March 28 visit to the Capitol was a first for ECFS Advisory Board parent Lisa Kula of Apple Valley. She met with Lakeville Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-36B, and Sen. Pat Pariseau, R-36.

"I was surprised," said Kula. "It was pretty positive."

She and her daughter, Ashley, 5, started attending ECFE classes when Ashley was13 months old.

"If you want to start your child's education on a positive note, that's very important," she said.

The District 196 ECFS Foundation was established two years ago to help raise ECFS funding and awareness.

"We'd like the state to understand and support funding; we'd like the school board to understand and support funding," said Busse.

In addition to organizing the annual Capitol trip, the Foundation conducts fundraisers and applies for grants.

"The goal of our Foundation, our ultimate goal, is to not exist," said Busse.

Busse starting taking ECFE classes in 2000 when his daughter, Claire, was 6 months old. Both the advice from educated professionals and from fellow parents made a world of difference to his family, which has grown to three children.

"That kind of information and education truly makes you a better parent," he said.

For more information on District 196 ECFS, visit www.district196.org/ec/ or call 952-431-8340.

(You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.)