Public Policy and Advocacy Update

GOVERNMENT FUNDING

There has been lots of activity in the early learning/after school arena with increases to some key programs!

Westchester

Title XX
The 2014 County budget included $900,000 in new funding for Title XX child care.  This will allow for the first new slots (outside of families already on Low Income or TA subsidy) since March 2010.   We want to thank the Board of Legislators and County Executive Rob Astorino for these new slots for working families just over 200% of the Federal Poverty Level ($39,580 for family of 3).

New York

Universal Pre-Kindergarten
Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget included $100 million for 2014-15 for Pre-Kindergarten, a significant increase over the $25 million that was enacted in the current budget.   He proposed a 5 year plan to expand UPK at a cost of about $1.5 billion over that period.   Ultimately, the adopted budget included $340 million for the Innovative PreK Program, a new initiative of which $300 was allocated for NYC and $40 for the rest of the state.

After-School
The Governor proposed $720 million over 5 years to expand after school programs, but the funding does not begin in this budget year, but in 2015-16.

Child Care Subsidies
Governor Cuomo increased child care subsidies by $21 million.   Even with that increase however, the subsidies would be more than $80 million less today than in 2010-11, when NY received stimulus funding.  Although child care funds can be used to support families up to 200% of the federal poverty level, many counties have lowered eligibility because of inadequate funds.

Child Care Quality
There was nothing proposed to improve the quality of child care programs.

United States

The Omnibus Spending Bill signed in late January included significant new funding:

Head Start/Early Head Start
The budget jumped by $1.025 billion to $8.6 billion, including $500 million for Early Head Start, a cost of living raise to Head Start grantees and $250 million for grants to preschool education programs.   The new money for Early Head Start emphasized building partnerships between Early Head Start and child care programs.  

Child Care Subsidies
The Child Care and Development Block Grant was increased by $154 million over 2013, to $2.36 billion, the largest amount ever.    Set-asides were included for quality and infant-toddler quality improvements, along with Child Care Resource and Referral activities.

Race to the Top (RTT)-Preschool Development Grants
$250 will be made available for states to help them develop, enhance or expand high quality preschool programs for children from low and moderate income families or for other early learning activities that improve program quality.

PARENT CHILD CARE SURVEY

In 2013, over 700 parents from across the County participated in the Council’s first parent survey, representing all income levels.  Respondents were overwhelmingly working, single and two parent families.    The two largest income groups were very low income and those earning $102k or more.   The majority reported using regulated child care, but many were mixing child care options, including informal arrangements.  Key findings:

• Parents use location (proximity to home or work), hours, cost and perception that children in care looked happy in selecting child care
• 57% had trouble paying for care in the last 6 months, including higher income parents
• Parents are cutting other household expenses, borrowing money and using credit cards to pay for child care
• Parents just over-income for the current child care subsidy program are having the most trouble affording care
• Current child care subsidy recipients are having trouble paying their parent share and only 24% can handle payments on their own
• Parents are overwhelmingly satisfied with their child care arrangements  – 32% said if they could change anything about their child care, it would be the cost

The Council is conducting another Parent Child Care Survey right now, through mid-September.   We urge all parents, grandparents and other caregivers to complete our survey now, available in English and Spanish.  

For more on the Council’s Parent Child Care Survey, click here.

WESTCHESTER CHILD CARE REPORT CARD CHALLENGE

At our 2nd annual Report Card event, the Council issued a new overview of Westchester’s regulated child care sector including type and number of programs/providers, licensed capacity, average costs, and other trends.   Grades on Supply, Quality and Affordability were issued:

• B for Supply because parents are able to find care and seem generally satisfied.   Existing Westchester supply only 40% of estimated demand (80,000 slots for 160,700 children birth to age 12) and yet high vacancies are reported by programs.   Last year’s grade was a B.
• B for Quality because even though the number of nationally accredited programs is low, parents report they are satisfied with their care arrangements, there is strong participation in the Council’s quality improvement technical assistance with impressive results, and high interest in participating in QUALITYstarsNY. Last year’s grade was a B-.
• D- for Affordability because parents are struggling to pay even at higher income levels and financial assistance has been reduced with higher family share, closing of Title XX to new families and end of Child Care Scholarship Program.   Last year’s grade was a “D”.

To download and view the Report Card Challenge power point, click here.
We will be scheduling our 2014 Report Card Challenge shortly!

PUBLIC POLICY AGENDA FOR 2014

The Council’s current Public Policy Agenda was created by the Public Policy Committee of the Board, drawing on the Council’s data reports, the results of the Parent Child Care Survey, and input from the field.  

Our Public Policy Agenda is revised annually, to reflect the most current needs, issues and trends.   The process to develop the Public Policy Agenda for 2015 will begin in September. 

To see the 2014 Public Policy Agenda, click here.