Despite extensive research documenting the benefits of investing in young children, infants and toddlers are underrepresented in the federal budget, a new study from the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution found.
The nation’s 12.5 million children under age 3 are 4.2 percent of the population, but they received just 2.1 percent—$44.1 billion—of federal domestic spending in 2007. Domestic outlays, which exclude defense, homeland security, and international affairs, totaled $2.1 trillion.
On March 30th, 2009, the Urban Institute, with support from the A.L. Mailman Family Foundation, conducted a roundtable discussion entitled "Infants and Toddlers in State and Federal Budgets: Yesterday's Choices, Today's Decisions, and Tomorrow's Options." The event brought together about 40 leading state and federal budget experts, practitioners, and policy-makers including experts in early childhood, health care, and nutrition policies and programs. The aim was to assess the evidence about the effects of state and federal budget choices on young children, to identify immediate opportunities and risks for young children related to the recession and the economic recovery package, and to suggest both short- and longer-term next steps for researchers and policy-makers. The conversation centered on two substantive areas: health and nutrition (particularly Medicaid and WIC) and early care and education. In addition to this podcast, organizers will prepare a conference report outlining insights from the day's proceedings.
A recent NACCRRA survey found that parents look for quality when they seek child care, but until now it has been hard to find out if a program has been inspected and licensed. A research study in Florida has found that quality of care, especially for low-income children, improved when licensing and other standards were available online. Check the NACCRRA map to find inspection information for a program in your state.
As part of the 2007 reauthorization of Head Start, State Advisory Councils on Early Childhood Education and Care established Zero to Three for children from birth to school entry. The ZERO TO THREE Policy Center and the National Governors Association's Center for Best Practices is hosting a webinar on January 29, 2009 at 2:00 pm EST on including a focus on infants and toddlers in State Advisory Councils on Early Childhood Education and Care.
The New York Times has a downright gleeful article with reactions to Obama's pledge to invest $10 billion in early childhood education - "the largest new federal initiative for young children since Head Start began in 1965. Now, Head Start is a $7 billion federal program serving about 900,000 preschoolers."
Which states made progress in supporting early child care and education in 2008 and which saw programs hit budget snags? The State Developments 2008 report from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) looks at public policy developments across the country and finds that while some states experienced budget-related setbacks, others made significant steps forward during the past legislative session.
Released in 2008, this interactive chart and report from the Center for Law and Social Policy includes updated information on programs, participants, families, and staff for all Head Start programs in each state.
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