Here is our monthly dose of “5-Bullet-Point Friday” a list of NJAEYC public policy stuff we think you might be interested in.
Anything that is BLUE, just click on it for more details
What’s going on in the US
NAEYC released a statement on President Biden’s proposal for the FY22 budget that would invest $450 billion in child care and early learning to create a permanent pathway toward a more equitable, sustainable, and comprehensive early childhood education system. By also prioritizing supports from paid leave to free community college, this powerful budget, if enacted, would ensure that families can afford quality child care that meets their needs and preferences, while supporting early childhood educators across states and settings to be well-prepared and well-compensated for the skilled, valuable, and essential work they do each day.
To read more click here: NAEYC’s Statement on the President’s Budget | NAEYC
What’s going on in NJ
In the article “Not Fade Away: How a “Pathbreaking Model” from New Jersey Could Support Early Education Equity” by Mark Swartz, Early Learning Nation (June, 24, 2021). Mr. Swartz states that earlier this month, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof highlighted an enormous body of research showing that the greatest leverage we have to help people may be early in life, as brains are developing.” Another recent study not only further bolsters the case for early investment but also demonstrates how researchers, advocates and families can come together to successfully promote equity. In “Effects of New Jersey’s Abbott Preschool Program on Children’s Achievement, Grade Retention, and Special Education through Tenth Grade,” published in the latest Early Childhood Research Quarterly (ECRQ), W. Steven Barnett and Kwanghee Jung focus on longitudinal outcomes from the NJ Abbott districts (mandated preschool funding in 31 low-income school districts). Moreover, “Effects did not fade after grade 3.”
To read more click here: Not Fade Away: How a “Pathbreaking Model” from New Jersey Could Support Early Education Equity – Early Learning Nation
Your Voice Matters! NJAEYC is asking our members to take a few moments to complete the newest NJAEYC survey on the ECE field. “Your responses and your voices make a difference in helping policy makers and the public understand the continued urgency of the challenges you face, how relief is helping, and how much more is needed”. Members who fill out the survey will be entered to win a free conference registration. Survey responses due July 15, 2021.
To take the survey: Click Here
Good News for our early education community: The bill, A4736 sponsored by Assemblywoman Gabriela Masquera (District 14), Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (District 14), Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro (District 33) was introduced to provide relief to financially struggling child care providers who care for, educate, and support the State’s low-income families. By basing subsidy payments for these providers on enrollment, rather than attendance, the bill offers a more reliable source of income for these providers. This will help providers to cover fixed costs and provide much needed financial stability. This bill passed the Assembly on 6/24/21 and was introduced to the Senate on 6/15/21 by Senator Joseph Vitale (District 19).
To read more click here: New Jersey Legislature – Bills (state.nj.us)
To read more on the recently passed FY2022 Budget from ACNJ: click here
What’s coming up
The Office of Child Care (OOC) has released guidance on the $24 billion Child Care Stabilization grants made available through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. Child Care Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA) has prepared guidance to help states quickly distribute the stabilization funds to protect and support the existing child care industry. As CCAoA emphasizes this funding represents an important opportunity for states to stabilize and rebuild a stronger child care system that meets the diverse needs of all children and families and of the child care workforce.
To read more click here: Stabilization Grant Guidance FAQs (childcareaware.org)
Something you might like
Zero to Three urges Congress to swiftly enact legislation to protect infants, toddlers, and families: A bipartisan coalition in the U.S. Senate reintroduced the Resilience Investment, Support, and Expansion (“RISE”) from Trauma Act, aimed at supporting children who have been exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma. ZERO TO THREE hailed the legislation as taking critical steps to address the needs of our country’s infants and toddlers. The bill was introduced by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
To read more click here: ZERO TO THREE Applauds Reintroduction of Resilience Investment, Support, and Expansion (“RISE”) from Trauma Act • ZERO TO THREE
Quote we’re pondering
“To help ensure families have child care choices that meet their needs, and to increase equity, access, and quality, states should spend as much money as possible on the education and compensation of the ECE workforce, jumpstarting the changes that are needed for our nation’s child care and early learning systems to survive and thrive.” (Compensation Matters Most Why and How States Should Use Child Care Relief Funding to Increase Compensation for the Early Childhood Education Workforce, NAEYC, June 2021, (compensation_matters_most.pdf (naeyc.org))
Have a wonderful weekend!
NJAEYC Public Policy Team
Recent Comments