New Federal Resources Available

To find the latest resources and news on federal early care and education legislation and where we are in the appropriations process, visit our Federal News page!

State Budget Updates From Coast to Coast

In Pennsylvania, the Governor and Legislature finally agreed on the FY2009-2010 state budget, more than 100 days overdue.  The compromise state budget plan maintains funding for child care and other early learning programs, although providers were left struggling to stay open when the stalemate halted payments for months.

In Arizona, in an attempt to bring in more revenues, the Department of Health Services has proposed increasing licensing fees for all child care centers, with some even seeing their fee increased 90 times greater than current fee rates.  The proposed fees, once enacted, will be effectively immediately, and it is expected that many programs will close because they are unable to afford the increase.

In between, states are trying to stay afloat amidst record revenue declines and providers and advocates are trying to save their programs from major cuts. Because times are so tough, many governors and staff are even going out on listening tours this fall to hear from advocates like you, including in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky.

For more state developments, visit our Action Center.

Putting Child Care Front and Center: USA Today Highlights State Cuts to Child Care

"Take something else away, not child care. It's so crucial," So says Stephanie Torres, a single working mother struggling to afford child care for her daughter after Arizona cut off her subsidy payment earlier this month. Last week, USA Today underscores the problem: states faced with worsening budget gaps are tightening their rules and restricting access to child care subsidies and programs, leaving parents scrambling to find care.

To read the article, which features ECEC Board member Bill Eddy and Executive Director Eric Karolak, click here!

Your Stories Make a Difference!

Barbara, a center director in Georgia, told us recently that while she has seen a decrease in the number of private-pay parents enrolling their children for several months now, she is now starting to see fewer children whose parents receive state child care assistance.

What is your experience? What are you noticing in your own program’s enrollment? Click here to share your story!  Your stories help us when we meet with legislators, helping them to understand better what providers are going through and experiencing! 

Policy and You: Inviting Legislators to Your Program!

Child care is a critical part of the economic infrastructure of this country, and a critical part of the daily life of families who work. However, many legislators do not know what we are talking about when we speak about child care. So we need to work even harder to make it “real” for them.

One of the best ways to help legislators understand child care in this country is to show them child care.  This is a way to get legislators to really be engaged in their community and allow you to help advocate for your programs.  ECEC has made it easy, providing a campaign toolbox that covers everything you need to know, including a planning checklist, how to go about scheduling a visit with your legislator, and ideas for activities during the visit!

Also, check out our session at this year’s National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Annual Conference in November! The session, “Hosting elected officials at your program: Showing leaders the importance of child care firsthand,” is scheduled for November 21 at 2:00 PM.

ECEC's Latest Exchange Article On Site Visits Now Available
Can’t wait until November to learn more about the benefits of site visits? Then check out our latest article in the November/December 2009 Exchange Magazine! “Getting Legislators Out of the Statehouse and into your Program” gives an overview of why site visits are important, how you can begin scheduling a visit with your legislator, and provides tips for what to do with the legislator once they’re at your center.

Resources and Events

NWLC’s State Child Care Assistance Policies 2009
The National Women’s Law Center’s has released “State Child Care Assistance Policies 2009,” their annual analysis of state child care policies.  The Center finds that most states made no changes to their policies as of February 2009, but those that did moved backward instead of forward. The report is based on a survey of state child care administrators in all 50 states and DC of income eligibility, waiting lists, parent copayments, and reimbursement rates.

Register Today for a Free Training on Tax Credits for Working Families
November 10, 2009, 1 PM ET
Working families can save potentially thousands of dollars on their federal taxes through claiming family tax credits. The National Women's Law Center is offering a free training on November 10 at 1 PM ET to help families learn more about family tax credits and how to get access to free and easy tax resources. Click here to find out more information and register for the training! 

First Focus Launches Interactive Website on Children's Budget Issues
ChildrensBudget.org, a project of First Focus, provides users with interactive tools to explore how the federal government invests taxpayer resources in our children.

ECEC Presents at NAEYC’s Annual Conference!
November 18-21 in Washington, DC
This year’s Conference features more than 900 sessions, including presentations with diverse topics and themes reflecting both traditional strategies and cutting-edge practice.

Early Care and Education Consortium staff and members will be presenting several sessions at the conference, including the following:

“A Vision for the Child Care and Development Block Grant,” presented by ECEC Executive Director Eric Karolak and other panelists. November 19, 4:00-5:00 PM.

“Hosting Elected Officials at Your Program: Showing Leaders the Importance of Child Care Firsthand,” presented by ECEC Policy Director Mary Beth Salomone and ECEC Board President Sara Moleski-Rice. November 21, 2:00-3:30 PM.

To find out more information about presentations at this year's conference, and to register, visit NAEYC's website.