State Initiative
Bright Spots in States
As states across the nation make difficult decisions about how to move forward, the outlook is grim. Without the federal aid mentioned above, the hits to state budgets will be severe and long lasting.
Despite this harsh reality, some states are persevering in their commitment to young children and families in certain sectors.
• In spite of substantial cuts across the FY2021 budget, Georgia included funding for a new Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health coordinator position at the Department of Early Care and Learning, the result of a recommendation from the Infant and Toddler Social and Emotional Health Study Committee. It also included much needed funding for six months of postpartum Medicaid support. Both of these wins are a direct result of the hard work of the advocates led by Think Babies™ state partner, GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students.
• The Iowa Department of Human Services recently announced a change in the definition of “infant/toddler” for the purposes of subsidy payments. Children up to age 3 (instead of age 2) will now be included in the child care assistance infant group, allowing early learning providers to receive a higher reimbursement rate for an additional year. Additionally, the Future Ready Iowa Act, signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds, creates an Iowa Child Care Challenge Fund to provide grants to businesses and nonprofits to build, renovate, or repurpose spaces for child care facilities.
• Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed HB:251 into law in June. The law extends and strengthens the Early Childhood Care and Education Commission, adding essential partners and expanding the state’s cross sector approach to early childhood supports.
• Oklahoma voters recently approved a measure that will expand Medicaid to cover more working adults with low incomes, an essential support for the parents of young children. Learn more in ZERO TO THREE’s new brief.
• The Early Learning Division of the Oregon Department of Education has been approved to release $139.5 million in new funding through the Early Learning Account of the Student Success Act (SSA). While this was less than what was initially allocated, many programs will benefit from this funding. Some of the programs who have received this crucial boost include: Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education, Early Head Start, Early Childhood Equity Fund, Relief Nurseries, and Healthy Families Oregon.
ZERO TO THREE commends these states and the advocates who continue to work so hard during this time to ensure that babies and families are held at the forefront of reopening and rebuilding.
You might also be interested in
-
Article
New Jersey to offer home visiting to every family with a newborn
In June 2021 New Jersey passed S690 which will provide all New Jersey residents access to at least one, and up to three, post-partum home visits by a specially trained registered nurse for the parent…
-
Article
Alabama Increases Funding for Home Visiting in 2021
In April 2021, Alabama passed The Education Trust Fund budget SB 189, which included many increases in funding for programs serving children and families.
-
Article
Bill Adds State Funds for Community-based Home Visiting Models in Minnesota
In 2021 Minnesota passed HF 2128, an omnibus health and human services finance bill that included $4.5 million in state funds to significantly expand voluntary home visiting for pregnant people and f…
-
Article
Delaware Prioritizes Home Visiting
In 2019 Delaware passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 50 (SCR 50) requiring the Department of Health and Social Services – in collaboration with the Department of Education and Delaware Home Visiting …
-
Article
Rhode Island Cross-Sector Compensation Report Drives Legislative Action
Thanks to the work of the RIght from the Start campaign, composed of Rhode Island early childhood groups, leaders, and stakeholders convened as a part of the state’s Think Babies efforts funded by ZE…
-
Article
Communities Commit to Young Children
In the absence of sufficient federal or statewide funding, communities across the nation have begun to develop their own solutions to longstanding early care and learning challenges. Here are two rec…
Explore More Georgia Focused Resources & Initiatives
-
Article
Advocates Share Formula Crisis Obstacles, Approaches, and Progress
Recently, ZERO TO THREE convened a small group to discuss ways in which state advocates are engaging to support families through the national formula supply crisis. We were joined by advocates from C…
-
Article
Addressing Bias and Advancing Equity in State Policy – Georgia
Ensuring an equitable start for all babies requires understanding the influence of race, ethnicity, and racism in the lives of babies and families. As a result of the longstanding history of systemic…
-
Article
Communities Commit to Young Children
In the absence of sufficient federal or statewide funding, communities across the nation have begun to develop their own solutions to longstanding early care and learning challenges. Here are two rec…
-
Article
State Strategies to Strengthen Infant-Toddler Care, while Expanding Pre-k – Georgia
Anticipating potential growth of state pre-k programs, state policymakers should consider a number of approaches to protect and expand the existing infant-toddler child care infrastructure.
-
Article
Virtual and In-Person – 2020 State Strolling Thunder Events Rolled and Rumbled Across the Country
This year, ZERO TO THREE Think Babies partners in states kept the needs of babies in front of policymakers in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.