On behalf of PositiveAge, the LeadingAge Virginia foundation, which focuses on transforming the aging experience in Virginia by building coalitions and developing innovative solutions to promote positive aging. PositiveAge is proud to support House Bill 254 and its thoughtful approach to strengthening Virginia’s Child Care Subsidy Program through an income-based phased reduction model. This proposal addresses a real and persistent challenge facing working families — the sudden loss of child care assistance when a modest raise or additional hours pushes income just beyond eligibility thresholds. Too often, families are forced to turn down opportunities for workplace advancement because they risk losing affordable child care. HB 254 replaces that “benefits cliff” with a gradual, predictable phase-out that encourages work, supports economic mobility, and provides stability for children. From the perspective of aging support and services, access to reliable child care is also a workforce issue. Many of the professionals who care for older Virginians — nurses, CNAs, home care workers and others are parents balancing low wages with high child care costs. Policies like this directly support employee retention and participation in the workforce serving older adults. We also appreciate the bill’s built-in safeguards, including limits on reduction percentages, opportunities for appeal, and flexibility for families facing hardship or disability-related needs. LeadingAge Virginia and PositiveAge believe this is a proven, common-sense reform that strengthens families, supports employers, and promotes long-term economic stability across the Commonwealth. We respectfully urge your support for House Bill 254.

HB478 This testimony is in favor of the enactment of a Fine Arts Seal of Excellence on high school diplomas. In considering the Fine Arts Seal of Excellence on a diploma, a lot is to be considered. Guidelines and criteria should reflect the dedication students have given to the Fine Arts Program of their school district to receive such an honor. This honor would be not only an encouragement to the dedication and participation of the programs that really compliment the educational experience students receive academically, This recognition would not only serve to encourage the students participating and dedicating themselves, but also be a lighthouse to beacon prospective students to participate in such programs. We have long known the value of such programs to improve academic improvement, aid in responsibility through punctuality and taking ownership of being a part of team effort. These skills are valuable and carry young people into adulthood and through the rest of their lives. To recognize their significant dedication to such programs for most of their formidable high school years will I believe shape stronger intellect and success in our future graduates. Please deeply consider the positive impact this will have on future graduates when approving this measure. Respectfully, Mrs. O’Neill

Affordability? Who is paying for all this? This is setting up fraud, waste, and abuse, on the Somali/Minn. level.

Dear Members of the Virginia General Assembly, My name is Jolisa Rhoyal, and I am writing in strong support of HB 2454. I offer this comment not only as a concerned citizen, but as a public school employee who has served within Virginia’s education system for more than ten years. Through my firsthand experience working with students at both the middle school and high school levels, I have consistently observed a major gap between academic instruction and real-life preparedness. Many students, even as they approach graduation, have little understanding of what life will look like after school whether that includes entering the workforce, pursuing higher education, or navigating adulthood responsibly. HB 2454 is a meaningful step in the right direction because it recognizes the value of work-based learning, apprenticeships, internships, and externships. These opportunities expose students to real-world environments, teach responsibility, and help them identify career interests early. I strongly believe these programs should not be optional or secondary, but instead taught and encouraged at a much higher demand across our schools. In addition to work-based learning, I urge the General Assembly to continue expanding and prioritizing instruction in financial literacy and real-life skills. Students should graduate with a working knowledge of: • Budgeting and saving • Money management • Investing and building generational wealth • Maintaining a healthy credit score • Avoiding and managing debt These are essential life skills that directly impact long-term stability, independence, and economic success. When students understand finances and career pathways early, they are better positioned to make informed decisions and avoid cycles of financial hardship. As someone who sees the needs of our students daily, I believe HB 2454 has the potential to positively shape their futures. I respectfully encourage your continued support of this bill and future efforts that prepare students not just academically, but practically, for life beyond the classroom. Thank you for your time, service, and commitment to Virginia’s children. Respectfully, Jolisa Rhoyal