Recent Legislative News
Unionization in the state of Washington - The legislature in Olympia is currently considering a proposal to require union membership of directors and workers at daycare centers across the state. The new requirement would apply to daycare centers that accept even one child from a family receiving subsidized child care. Click here to read the Washington Policy Center's legislative memo. To view testimony presented by Liv Finne, Director of Education at the Washington Policy Center, click here.
Click here to read the Washington Policy Center's Legislative Memo about the "Access to Quality Child Care Workforce Act."
Minnesota Child Care Association - MCCA has introduced their 2008 Legislative Platform. To view the platform and find out more about legislative activities in Minnesota click here.
Head Start Reauthorization - Congress approved legislation that reauthorizes Head Start for five years. The underlying bill, HR 1429, renews Head Start through 2012. Attempts to reauthorize Head Start in the 108th and 109th Congresses stalled over that issue. The bill expands Head Start to more low-income families, increases teach qualifications, and eliminates a system of standardized testing for 4 and 5 year olds. To review updates on all of the legislative initiatives click here.
A Science Based Policy for Early Childhood Policy - The Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University, released this month a report on A Science-Based Policy for Early Childhood Policy. The report provides science based data intended to help those who develop early childhood policy. The full report can be downloaded by clicking here.
Leadership and Management in Quality Systems - The McCormick Tribune Center for Early Childhood Leadership recently published the results of a state survey determining how leadership and management characteristics are being considered in Quality System Rating (QSR) systems. To read more click here.
Long Term Benefits of Early Child Education - The August issue of the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine includes a 19 year study of the effects of early child care education. "Preschool participants had comparatively higher rates of educational attainment and health insurance, lower rates of more severe criminal behaviors including felony arrests, convictions, and incarceration, and lower rates of depressive systems." The complete article can be accessed by clicking here.
Kids Count Data Book - NCCA is proud to be an Outreach Partner for the distribution of the Annie E. Casey Foundation 18th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book, a national and state-by-state effort to track the status oc children in the U.S. The report provides a state-by-state statistical portrait of the health, educational, social, and economic condition of America's children. To access the report click here.
Utah - The Utah State Office of Education in conjunction with the Utah Family Center and Office of Child Care recently published early learning guidelines. To learn more click here.
In his new study, Enriching Children, Enriching the Nation, economist Robert G. Lynch examines the costs and benefits of high quality pre-kindergarten programs and their positive impact over time on federal and state budgets, crime costs, and earnings of pre-K participating children and adults.
Senators Clinton and Bond have introduced the Ready to Learn Act, which would authorize a $10 billion federal grant program aimed at providing voluntary pre-kindergarten to all 4 year olds in America. For more information on the act click here.
On July 24th, the Senate overwhelmingly passed a higher education package (S.1642) that includes a provision to support professional development within the child care industry. For more information on the package click here.
New Jersey 2737 - Permits certain child care centers to receive $1,500 grants from Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund.
Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations 2008 Appropriations Subcommittee Markup
This Week on the Hill - Updated when Capitol Hill is in Session
ECEC Legislative Updates - Through NCCA's membership in the Early Care and Education Consortium we are able to provide our members with a direct link to the ECEC State and Federal Legislative reports.
Shaken Baby Syndrome News