Entries for the 'Policy' Category

National Center for Children in Poverty Early Childhood Profiles were produced as part of the Improving the Odds for Young Children project. These profiles highlight states’ policy choices that promote health, education, and strong families alongside other contextual data related to the well-being of young children.

State profiles created in partnership with the NGA Center and the Department of Health and Human Services.  Each profile provides an overview of a state council, including its administering agency, history, membership, activities, and priorities for the ARRA grant, and communication strategies.

The National Center for Children in Poverty releases their latest Early Childhood State Policy Profiles a comprehensive view of state policies in the areas of health, early care and education, and parenting and economic supports, that affect the health and well-being of young children in low-income families.

Monday, July 26, 3:00-4:15 — Louisville, Kentucky

Research shows that home visiting programs have positive results and benefits for families with very young children. The new health care law includes $1.5 billion in federal funds for research-based and innovative home visiting programs. Learn about this opportunity to direct funds to help meet the needs of families. Find out more about this initiative and one state’s experience.

On June 10, 2010 the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Administration on Children and Families (ACF) released the first Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the new Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, created as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Affordable Care Act or ACA). Click the link above for more information or use CFDA # 93.505 on the Grants.gov website.

April 26, 2010 — Connecticut Mirror

Parents and advocates in Connecticut are concerned that enrollment in the state’s child care subsidy program will be cut due to funding, as the legislature works to close budget gap of over $700 million.

March 9, 2010 — the Des Moines
A new law in Iowa consolidates and makes changes to the state’s many early childhood programs in an effort to make them more efficient.
 

March 4, 2010 — Argus Leader
For the fourth consecutive year a bill that would lay the ground work for voluntary state-supported prekindergarten was killed in the South Dakota legislature.

March 4, 2010 — US Department of Education
Today the Department of Education announce 15 states and the District of Columbia as finalists in the department’s $4.35 billion grant program to reform the educational system.

June 5, 2010 — Phoenix, Arizona
The annual National Summit of States is an intensive work day designed for state leaders working to build and enhance policies for early childhood professional development and career systems. The summits include interactive peer-to-peer discussions with a variety of national experts serving as resources to state leadership teams.
 

February 23, 2010 — The Topeka Capital-Journal
An amendment being introduced in the Kansas Senate on Senate Bill 447 would increase the number of licensed child care operators and inspections in the state, according to its sponsor.

February 4, 2010 — Catalyst Chicago
Three Chicago area neighborhoods are working to get a piece of $210 million the President has pledged to support “Promise Neighborhoods” in the 2011 budget.

February 1, 2010 — The Topeka Capital-Journal
If passed Kansas Senate bill 447 will tighten licensing and requirements to help increase the safety of children in child care.

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices is now accepting applications to participate in their 2010 policy academy, Supporting “Ready States”: A Project to Develop Key Components of State Early Childhood Infrastructure. Proposals are due by February 26.

A policy framework from CLASP, comprised of key principles describing what babies and toddlers in child care need and 15 recommendations for states to move forward.

The Early Childhood Data Collaborative (ECDC), a new consortium of national organizations convened to build state policymaker understanding and support of aligned early childhood data systems, recently held a webinar to introduce their partners and share their work.

January 5, 2010 — Center for American Progress
In the complex effort to support stable, healthy families, home visiting programs have proven to be an important piece of the puzzle.

January 14, 2010 — Washington D.C. or Online Audio Webcast

Recent federal investments in children and families and education have helped soften state budget cuts to these programs. This conference from the Urban Institute and Chapin Hall will focus on how budget cuts affect children and the future of early childhood programs post ARRA. Register for the audio webcast or attend in person.

January 4, 2010 — PRNewswire
According to a recent study from Children Now, improvements to California’s child health and education policies are necessary to the state’s long term economic future.

This fact sheet from the Center on Law and Social Policy, provides a snapshot of CCDBG program participation 2008.

December 9, 2009 — Georgetown University News
The US Secretaries of Health and Human Services, and Education recently agreed that more collaboration was needed between the two departments on early childhood education.
 

February 2-3, 2010 — Washington D.C.

The Public Policy Forum is a yearly event for NAEYC members to hear from national experts and federal officials and participate in breakout sessions on key state policy topics. Check back for updates.

March 9-13, 2010 — Washington D.C.

NACCRRA's Policy Symposium will feature sessions on the latest policy, research, and practice developments in child care and child care resource and referral.

June 6-10, 2010 — Phoenix, Arizona
NAEYC’s National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development is designed for teacher educators, program administrators, and others who provide professional preparation and ongoing professional development experiences for the early childhood workforce.

June 5, 2010 Phoenix, Arizona
The annual National Summit of States is an intensive work day designed for state leaders working to build and enhance policies for early childhood professional development and career systems.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recently announced the Department’s priorities for grants under the $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund (i3). For more information visit the Department of Education’s website.

The Policy Wizard from NCCP creates custom tables with information about state and federal policies that assist low-income families and children.

This database from NAEYC presents state policies organized into six different topic areas: professional standards, career pathways, articulation, advisory structure, data and financing.

A searchable database of state child care and early education legislation from 2008 to 2011 from NCSL. Search by year, topic, state, keyword, status and more.

A searchable database on state policies and initiatives that impact infants and toddlers.  This database is based on ZERO TO THREE’s Infant Toddler Policy Framework and focuses on four main areas: good health, strong families, positive early learning experiences,  and systems.

October 7, 2009 — 2 PM EST
Learn about four states’ innovative financing models for infant-toddler services in this webinar co-sponsored by ZERO TO THREE and the Ounce of Prevention. Register here.

September 19, 2009 — New York Times

A new initiative, proposed by the President and passed by the House, would send $8 billion to early learning programs over the next 2 years.

September 21, 2009 — Early Ed Watch Blog
The last in a seven part series, this piece look at the future of Head Start programs in the states.