What’s New!
August 23, 2010
Congress took several actions important to infants and toddlers before leaving for its August State and District Work Period (aka "recess"). The Senate Appropriations Committee approved funding for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, echoing the strong support for child care and early learning programs shown by the House Appropriations Committee. Increases included $990 million for Head Start/Early Head Start and $1 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), amounts sufficient to continue the funding gains achieved in the stimulus package last year. Part C Early Intervention would receive an additional $20 million. The Committee also included $300 million for the Presidents Early Learning Challenge Fund, to help states build stronger and more effective early learning systems. Final numbers will likely have to wait until after the election.
In addition, the Children First Act of 2010 (S. 3667 and H.R. 5938) was introduced in the Senate by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and in the House by Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY). It would increase mandatory child care funding by $800 million in FY 2011, adjusting for inflation annually after that. The Senate passed the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 (S.3307) to reauthorize child nutrition programs including the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The bill increases funding by $4.5 billion over ten years the largest funding increase ever, but something short of the levels proposed by President Obama. Troubling to many advocates is the use of $2.2 billion in cuts to future SNAP funding to partially offset the cost of the bill. The House needs to pass its own bill before the program expires at the end of September.
Most of your Members of Congress will be in their states until Congress reconvenes on September 14. This is a prime opportunity to talk with them about the importance of continuing investments in very young children, even with concerns about the deficit. Click here for talking points to guide you in your discussions.
Status of Federal Programs Addressing Infants & Toddlers:
There are a variety of federal programs which address the needs of infants, toddlers and their families. Click on the links below to track the status of funding and changes in these programs.
Child Care and Early Childhood Education
(CCDBG, Head Start/Early Head Start, Part B of IDEA, Part C of IDEA, Early Learning Challenge Fund Grants, Promise Neighborhoods)
Child Welfare
(Title IV-B, Title IV-E, CAPTA)
Health and Mental Health
(SCHIP, Medicaid, EPSDT, MCHBG, SAMHSA, CMHSBG,
Comprehensive Community Mental Services for Children and their Families)
Poverty/Family Support
(TANF, SSBG, CSBG, WIC, SNAP, Home Visitation)
Professional Development/Higher Education
(Higher Education)
For a complete description of these federal programs, how they are funded and operated, and the role of state and local governments in those programs,
click here.
Babies and the Budget
Budget decisions made in Washington, DC impact the programs and services for infants and toddlers in your state. When we get involved in the federal budget process, the decisions about funding services for infants and toddlers will be made with the benefit of our knowledge and experience. Check out our handy budget tool to learn more about the federal budget process: why it’s important, how it works and where to seize opportunities to be involved.
Status of Infant-Toddler Federal Legislation:
The Policy Center monitors federal legislation and how it will impact the lives of infants, toddlers and their families. To track the development of these bills,
click here.
