| |
|
| |
STATE POLICY UPDATE
Louisiana Passes School Readiness Tax Credit Package
Louisiana has passed an innovative school readiness tax credit bill which will assist families and child care providers with the costs associated with higher quality care for the state's young children. The bill, which closely ties the tax credits to the state's child care Quality Rating System, passed the state legislature in June and was signed into law by Governor Kathleen Blanco on July 10th. The comprehensive tax package will support and increase quality child care through tax credits to parents, businesses, providers, and child care professionals. Read more! |
 |
| Connecting the Links in the Policymaking Chain: Successful Collaboration between Government Leaders and Early Childhood Advocates
An interview with Elliot Regenstein, Co-Chair of Illinois's Early Learning Council Some of the most significant changes in public policy resulted from collaborations between advocates and government leaders. In Illinois, Elliot Regenstein has worked tirelessly with both legislators and state advocacy groups in order to create positive change for Illinois's young children through the Preschool for All initiative, which supports children birth through age five. ZERO TO THREE had the opportunity to talk with Elliot to learn more about the important work he has done for the young children of Illinois, and the ways in which collaboration have figured prominently in Illinois's success. Read the interview now!
Federal Legislative Update
SCHIP Reauthorization Approved: Last week, both the House and the Senate entered into bitter partisan debates over their respective plans (H.R. 3162 / S. 1893) for reauthorizing and expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). By a vote of 68-31, the Senate approved $35 billion in additional funding over 5 years for the program, paid for with a 61-cent increase in the federal tobacco tax. Meanwhile, the House, which passed its bill 225-204, calls for a nearly $50 billion expansion, paid for with a 45-cent increase in the federal tobacco tax, various reductions in the Medicare Advantage program, and the elimination of bonuses to states for enrolling children in the program. Both chambers must now meet in conference to reconcile differences between the bills before the program expires on September 30. President Bush, who called for a modest $5 billion increase in SCHIP over 5 years, has said that he would veto either bill in its current form. Click here to read the full update on SCHIP reauthorization.
CJS Appropriations Bill Passes House: On July 26, the House passed the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill, which includes spending for juvenile justice programs, drug courts, and prevention and treatment services, by a vote of 281-142. The $53.8 billion spending bill is $3.2 billion (6%) more than the current spending level. The President has vowed to veto the bill for exceeding his request by $2.3 billion. Meanwhile, the Senate, which is expected to bring its version of the bill to the floor for a vote after the month-long August recess, calls for $56 billion in spending.
Publications & Resources
New ABA and ZERO TO THREE Policy and Practice Brief
The American Bar Association and ZERO TO THREE have jointly released a new Practice and Policy Brief called, Visitation with Infants and Toddlers in Foster Care: What Judges and Attorneys Need to Know. This brief offers practical knowledge about what visitation means and the important role that it plays in the lives of very young children who are in foster care. It also presents strategies for achieving successful visitation and overcoming the many barriers to visitation. Two New Project Thrive Short Takes
National Center for Children in Poverty's Project Thrive has released two short reports: Reducing Disparities Beginning in Early Childhood and State of the States' ECCS Initiatives. The first "short take" discusses the research findings on socioeconomic disparity starting in very young children, as well as the role that State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) plays in reducing disparities. The second "short take" is a report on the progress of State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems.
KIDS COUNT 2007 Released
The Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT 2007 Data Book is now available online and for purchase. The new book presents current state-by-state statistics and background on the well being of America's children. This year it also includes an essay focusing on permanency for children in foster care. To view the new and easy to use online database containing the most current data, click here.
ZERO TO THREE Submits Comments on Proposed Regulations for Part C of IDEA
On July 23, the public comment period closed for the Department of Education's proposed federal regulations for Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). Part C provides federal funds to states to make available early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. Click here to read ZERO TO THREE's comments. | 
