Administration Increases Funds for Child Care in Federal Budget Proposal

On February 1, the Administration released the Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2011 (which begins October 1, 2010). This is the first step in the annual funding process for all federal programs.

In the Budget Proposal, the Administration is asking for:  

• A $1.6 billion increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant
• An expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
• A $989 million increase for Head Start and Early Head Start
• About $9 billion over 10 years for the Early Learning Challenge Fund
• $10 billion over 10 years for child nutrition

First and foremost among their recommendations was an expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, which parents can use to help offset their child care costs, and a $1.6 billion increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant.

For more information on the Administration's proposal, and what their impact will have on child care,
read ECEC Executive Director Eric Karolak’s article, “FY 2011 Federal Budget Process Begins with Bold Proposal,” in the March/April 2010 issue of the Exchange.

It is GREAT news that these investments are included in the Administration’s Budget Proposal. But the Budget Proposal is really a non-binding request to Congress which highlights the priorities of the Administration. Now it’s up to Members of Congress to make the funding and legislative decisions to make these proposals a reality for children, families and early childhood program providers!  

Take Action! Families Earning, Children Learning!

Will child care be a priority for your Members of Congress? Click here to send an email letting them know that child care is a priority for YOU! Tell them parents can’t work without child care, and early care and learning programs matter for young children!

As we continue to push Congress toward prioritizing early learning programs in the budget, make sure to check your inbox in the next week for information on March Forth on March 4, a national day of action aimed at keeping children and families on the congressional agenda.

Not registered for our action alerts? Visit our website and sign up today! 

Governors Begin Releasing Budget Proposals for Next Year

A number of Governors have already released their state budget proposals for fiscal year 2011. As the economic forecast remains dim in most states as budget gaps persist, securing child care in state budgets will be a challenge. While governors in some states have recommended maintaining funding for child care and early learning programs at last year’s levels and cutting elsewhere, other states are not so lucky. To see highlights where ECEC is working in states on budget issues, visit our Action Center.

Early Learning Advocates Rallying for Programs

As budget proposals are released, and legislatures begin work on fiscal year 2011 funding, early learning advocates are beginning to rally at their state capitols in support of funding for child care and other programs.  Tennessee and Arizona have already held their days at the capitol, rallying for preK and child care and more rallies are planned in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Florida, Wisconsin, Kansas, and New York.

For more information on upcoming state advocacy days, visit our website!

Resources and Events

FY2011 Federal Budget Numbers Added to ChildrensBudget.Org
ChildrensBudget.org has updated their website to include the President’s recently released budget proposal funding levels for all children’s programs, in addition to funding appropriated by Congress in for fiscal year 2010.

Tax Credits Outreach Campaign
A variety of tax credits for families can  can help eligible families make ends meet.  As families are now receiving the tax documents they need to file their taxes, this is an especially critical time to reach out and inform them of these credits! The National Women’s Law Center has released 2009 tax credit resources to make it easy to connect families to tax benefits.  Resources include state based fliers, payroll stuffers, a sample newsletter article and a toolkit for child care advocates.

FRAC 2010 Anti-Hunger Policy Conference
March 7-9, 2010 in Washington, DC

Join hundreds of grassroots anti-hunger advocates, including those from child care and early education organizations, for the Food Research and Action Center’s three day conference featuring innovative training, networking and advocacy. Early Care and Education Consortium Policy Director Mary Beth Salomone Testa will be presenting at the conference. It’s still not too late to register today!

NACCRRA Annual Policy Symposium
March 9-13, 2010 in Washington, DC

The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies brings together more than 600 child care resource and referral professionals, early care and education experts, researchers, and other early childhood education authorities to Washington, DC on to discuss the latest policy, research and practice developments in child care and CCR&R. Look for a panel presentation by ECEC Board Member Mike Radway of Knowledge Learning Corporation. For more information, visit their website.

Partnership 2010 National Conference
March 10-11, 2010 in Washington, DC

The Partnership for America’s Economic Success’ annual conference features tools and information on how to develop a statewide coalition of business leaders advocating for increased investments in early childhood and is open to business leaders, advocates and policy-makers. Click here for more information.

NACCP Annual National Conference
April 20-23, 2010 in Chicago, IL

The National Association of Child Care Providers offers this high-level leadership conference designed to specifically meet the administrative needs of our colleagues in the field. Look for presentations by ECEC Board Member Bob Siegel of Easter Seals, Executive Director Eric Karolak and Policy Director Mary Beth Salomone Testa. Click here for more information and to register!