Including Infants and Toddlers in Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) Program
RTT-ELC offers a new opportunity to increase the number of disadvantaged children, birth to five, in high-quality early childhood settings and to create and enhance state integrated early learning systems. This PowerPoint developed by the ZERO TO THREE Policy Center emphasizes the importance of supporting early learning beginning from birth and provides information on how the unique needs of infants and toddlers can be addressed in each of the four RTT-ELC criteria areas proposed in the RTT-ELC executive summary.
Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) Program Resource List
RTT-ELC offers a new opportunity to increase the number of disadvantaged children, birth to five, in high-quality early childhood settings and to create and enhance state integrated early learning systems. This annotated bibliography includes resources from the ZERO TO THREE Policy Center and the National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative at ZERO TO THREE. The resources are organized by the four selection criteria proposed in the RTT-ELC executive summary, to best provide assistance in how areas affecting infants and toddlers align with each of the criteria.
A Call to Action on Behalf of Maltreated Infants and Toddlers
A Call to Action represents the collective vision of leading child welfare and early childhood development organizations on the important steps that can and should be taken in policies, programs, and practices to address the needs of vulnerable infants and toddlers who come to the attention of the child welfare system. The policy agenda is intended to provide a starting point for policymakers at all levels of government in creating a response to these special needs. It first presents the compelling evidence for addressing the needs of infants and toddlers in the child welfare system, and then suggests key elements of a developmental approach for this vulnerable population. Organizations joining with ZERO TO THREE to create the policy agenda and urge action include American Humane Association, Center for the Study of Social Policy, Child Welfare League of America, and Children’s Defense Fund.
ZERO TO THREE Priorities for Early Childhood in the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) presents an important opportunity to highlight the role of early childhood developmental experiences in preparing young children from birth to be confident and successful learners when they enter Kindergarten. ZERO TO THREE priorities include maintaining local ability to use ESEA funds to support early childhood services; requiring data collection on how local educational agencies are using Title I funds for early childhood; promoting joint professional development for early childhood and early elementary school educators; ensuring literacy provisions include infants and toddlers; and requiring coordination between the K-12 system and early childhood programs.
Analysis of House FY11 Continuing Resolution
The House Continuing Resolution for FY 2011 proposed by the Republican leadership would make deep cuts in funding for many programs that help support the health and development of infants and toddlers. Most notably, it would cut Head Start/Early Head Start by $1.1 billion below funding levels for 2010 appropriations. Moreover, the bill would not continue the funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for either Head Start/EHS or child care. As a result, as many as 368,000 children could lose child care, Head Start, or Early Head Start services. This number includes at least 50,000 babies in Early Head Start. In this analysis, ZERO TO THREE indicates the amount of cuts proposed for federal programs within good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences. It then provides further details of each program’s benefits and the costs to society that could result from such drastic funding cuts.
Building State Systems for Infants and Toddlers Briefing
The bi-partisan Congressional Baby Caucus, co-chaired by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D- 3rd CT) and Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-At Large MT), hosted a briefing on November 18th to highlight how states are incorporating programs and services for infants and toddlers into their comprehensive early childhood systems. Click here to see slides from the briefing, posted with permission from the Congressional Baby Caucus.
Overview of Title IV of H.R. 3221: The Early Learning Challenge Fund
Title IV of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 (H.R. 3221) authorizes the Early Learning Challenge Fund, a new federal funding stream to promote State early care and education systems for children birth to five. This document provides a summary of the legislation, introduced by Rep. George Miller (D-7th CA), on July 15, 2009. On July 20, Dr. Ruth Friedman, Senior Education Policy Advisor, House Committee on Education and Labor, participated in a conference call to give an overview of the Early Learning Challenge Fund legislation and answer questions from the field. Click here to listen to a recording of this call, co-sponsored by ZERO TO THREE and ten of our partner organizations.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Download resources on the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and tools for implementation.
Tracking Services for Infants, Toddlers & Their Families: A Look at Federal Early Childhood Programs and the Roles of State and Local Governments
There are a variety of federal programs which address the needs of young children and their families. Government programs can be complex, however, and it can be difficult to keep track of how the programs are organized, funded and operated. In addition, states and communities often play an important role in implementing services created through the federal programs. To help you in your advocacy for infants and toddlers, this chart summarizes the primary federal programs currently focused on very young children and the roles of federal, state and local governments in those programs.
How a Bill Becomes a Law and Roles of Congressional Staff
Whenever learning something new, it is helpful to “start with the basics” and build your knowledge from there. With that in mind, this ZERO TO THREE Policy Network advocacy tool describes the process of how a bill becomes a law at the federal level and explains the roles of key Congressional staff. Read this advocacy tool now!
Babies and the Budget: Opportunities for Action
This advocacy tool is about the federal budget process: Why it’s important, how it works and where to seize opportunities to be involved. As early childhood professionals, we work to improve the lives of babies and toddlers every day. What happens in Washington, DC, can seem very far away and out of touch with what is happening at home. So why should infant-toddler professionals care about the federal budget process? Simply because the decisions made in Washington should be more reflective of what is needed in local communities. We can make a difference in the lives of infants and toddlers by being a voice for babies in the budget process! Download the advocacy tool and an analysis of the president’s budget now!
Congressional Committees Addressing Infant and Toddler Issues
This document is an overview of the Congressional committees and subcommittees addressing infant and toddler issues, including the members and leaders of those committees.
Federal Agencies Responsible for Implementing Programs Affecting Infants and Toddlers
This document is an overview of the federal agencies responsible for implementing programs for infants and toddlers, including descriptions of all the federal programs and links to their web sites.
