Recent State Policy Advances
Expanded investment. Restructured agencies. New caucuses, committees, and coalitions. Read about all the ways our allies on the front lines are making their state a better place for each and every child to reach their full potential.
State By State:
Illinois Announces Significant Expansion of Financial Assistance for Families Seeking Child Care and Providers
Illinois has announced a significant expansion of financial assistance for both families and providers that allow children to return to quality, affordable child care programs. Eighty percent of families will pay less for child care under this latest round of changes, to be administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
Washington State Allies Win a Major ECE Package — Plus $66 Million for Workforce Compensation
Washington state passed the Fair Start for Kids Act due to the collaboration of a broad-based coalition led by our Allies at the Children’s Alliance. Allies in Washington state also seized the opportunity during the 2021 legislative session to think and act boldly and leverage federal relief dollars to improve early care and education policies and funding.
Statewide Advocacy Efforts Lead to Big Wins to Strengthen Florida’s Early Childhood System
The Children’s Movement of Florida collaborated with statewide partners to advocate for an increase in quality and accountability to the state’s pre-k system. During the 2021 legislative session with bipartisan support, Florida passed the Early Learning and Early Grade Success bill.
Arizona Allies Continue Fight Against Funding for Developmentally Inappropriate Online Early Learning Programs
Early childhood advocates in Arizona successfully blocked state funding for an online preschool program in 2020, and they are continuing to fight against additional attempts to fund these programs this year. While there is a huge need for expanded access to preschool in the state, advocates argue that online learning programs are developmentally inappropriate for young learners and a poor use of scarce resources.
Kentucky State Legislature Relies on Alliance Advocates for New K-3 Teacher Preparation Strategies
In 2020, early childhood advocates from The Prichard Committee in Kentucky formed a task force on education preparation and professional learning. The task force released policy recommendations, which have already resulted in new proposed legislation to advance educator preparation and support early literacy instruction.
Allies in Connecticut Get Creative to Expand Access to Early Care and Education
When COVID-19 diverted attention away from legislative efforts to expand Connecticut’s child care subsidy, advocates adjusted their efforts and expanded services through non-legislative means. They worked to change the homelessness screening process to help families enroll in Head Start and secured CARES Act funding to provide child care to parents attending a job training program.
Maryland Allies Celebrate Passage of Landmark “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future”
Maryland allies have been working relentlessly in support of the early childhood agenda contained in the massive “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future” bill and were elated when the legislation passed – with an override of the governor’s veto – in the 2021 session.
Illinois Early Childhood Advocates Partner with the Legislative Black Caucus to Help Win Reforms
In the fall of 2020 the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus held a series of hearings to develop its agenda, and because of long-standing relationships built on trust and respect, advocates were invited to highlight early childhood issues and to make recommendations to be included in the package. Working together, they helped win a new package of education and health care reforms.
Texas Allies Celebrate New Legislative Early Childhood Caucus
Earlier this month, members of the Texas Legislature announced a new Early Childhood Caucus that will bring together lawmakers in the Texas House on a bipartisan basis to explore policy opportunities to better support the parents of young children, promote healthy child development, and improve kindergarten readiness, early literacy, and school success. The Caucus includes 32 founding members.
Vermont Allies Prevent Passage of Inequitable Paid Family Leave Bill, Fight for Improved Legislation
Allies at Voices for Vermont’s Children have been fighting for universal paid family and medical leave for years. Their fight continues as they successfully fought against an inequitable family leave bill in 2020 and are advocating for an improved plan in 2021.
DC Advocates Fend Off Early Childhood Cuts with the Power of Coalition-Building
Advocates in DC pivoted their 2020 goals to respond to the challenges of the pandemic. Despite obstacles, they preserved funding for early childhood services and secured additional funds to help struggling child care providers. They did this all through the work of a coalition formed specifically to advocate for early childhood funding.
Idaho Allies Get Two Big 2020 Wins for Home Visiting: Additional State Investment and Medicaid Coverage
Securing state funding to grow the reach and impact of home visiting programs was a top priority for Alliance for Early Success ally Idaho Voices for Children. Advocates working with the legislature have secured a third year of state funding for home visiting that not only doubled the state’s investment to $2 million, but directed the state to pursue billing Medicaid for home visiting services.
