Wednesday, November 09, 2005
2005 Minnesota Legislative Summary...
Though I have talked about some of the changes coming from the 2005 Minnesota Legislature, particularly those that have dealt with mandated education requirements, but I have not presents a full summary of the changes affected by this years legislative actions. This posting will correct that oversight...
During the 2005 Legislative Session, the Early Childhood Caucus tried to bring the economic benefit of early childhood programs, the importance of school readiness, and quality and affordable childcare to the front burner of the legislative debate. Early childhood education issues were included in the Education Bill and child care issues were included in the Health and Human Services Bill that were passed by both the House and the Senate and were signed into law by the Governor. While the final amount of revenue allocated for early childhood care and education programs was much lower than both the House and the Senate proposed, this session was a step forward in restoring funding for early childhood programs.
Minnesota Early Learning Foundation
The Minnesota Early Learning Foundation (MELF) is a public-private partnership that will identify cost-effective ways to deliver quality early care and education to at-risk families and children. The foundation was allocated $1 million through the Education Bill, and a group of
corporations supporting early childhood programs including Cargill, McKnight Foundation
and United Way will donate another $2.5 million collectively to support the foundation.
Early Childhood Family Education
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), a program designed to assist parents and children in preparing for school, received $5.5 million in increased revenue through the Education Bill.
Head Start $4 million in new funding was allocated for Head Start, an early childhood program for low-income families. This new revenue fully restores funding for this program after
the cuts made in 2003.
Health and Developmental Screening
An increase of $1.3 million has been allocated for health and developmental screening. The
legislation moves the earliest age at which districts can screen children from 3 ½ years old to 3 years old, and provides higher reimbursement rates for districts that screen children at an earlier age. With the current system of early childhood developmental screening in Minnesota, over 60 percent of children are screened within two weeks of starting kindergarten. Earlier
screening increases the likelihood that children who need special services will get timely help and be well prepared to enter school.
Early Learning Guidelines
The Department of Education has developed the "Early Childhood Indicators of Progress: Minnesota’s Early Learning Standards" to provide information for parents and providers on the
expectations of three to five year olds by the time they enter kindergarten. The standards provide a framework of expectations for young children, and while there was no funding provided this year to disseminate the guidelines, they are available in several forms from the Department of Education's link to early learning guidelines.
Child Care Reimbursement Rate Freeze
In 2003, child care provider reimbursement rates were frozen at 2001 rates. As a result, families on child care assistance pay higher co-pays and must pay the difference between the actual cost of child care and the rate that providers are reimbursed. Even though during the 2005 session reimbursement rates for the Child Care Assistance Program were given a one-time 1.75% increase for 2006, the rates will be frozen indefinitely after that. This amounts to
$61.5 million less than was projected to be spent for the biennium. The cost of child care has increased so rapidly that many families have dropped out of the child care assistance program and it is unknown what kind of care the children receive while their parents are at work or school.
Child Care Assistance Parent Co-Payments
$4.1 million was included in the new legislation that will slightly reduce the co-payments that parents pay; currently some families pay almost a third of their monthly income on child care co-payments.
Child Care Licensing Modifications and Training Requirements
New rules were passed regarding parent notification of child care license violations, and new requirements for child care provider training in the areas of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), first aid, CPR, shaken baby, and seat belt safety.
Rural Child Care Rate Adjustment
Because of the 2003 provider reimbursement freeze, some rural providers saw a decrease in reimbursement rates. The new legislation requires the Commissioner of Human Services to restore reimbursement rates for any providers who received a decrease in reimbursement after the rates were frozen.
Provider Annual License Fees
With reimbursement rates frozen, many child care providers are struggling to keep their businesses open, so provider annual license fees were reduced to 2003 levels. In some cases, providers’ license fees have nearly tripled in the last two years.
All in all, not a really good year for child care providers and ultimately for children and their quality of care. Though there was improvement in some areas, there are many deficiencies to be overcome. As always, I welcome your comments and thoughts...
Though I have talked about some of the changes coming from the 2005 Minnesota Legislature, particularly those that have dealt with mandated education requirements, but I have not presents a full summary of the changes affected by this years legislative actions. This posting will correct that oversight...
During the 2005 Legislative Session, the Early Childhood Caucus tried to bring the economic benefit of early childhood programs, the importance of school readiness, and quality and affordable childcare to the front burner of the legislative debate. Early childhood education issues were included in the Education Bill and child care issues were included in the Health and Human Services Bill that were passed by both the House and the Senate and were signed into law by the Governor. While the final amount of revenue allocated for early childhood care and education programs was much lower than both the House and the Senate proposed, this session was a step forward in restoring funding for early childhood programs.
Minnesota Early Learning Foundation
The Minnesota Early Learning Foundation (MELF) is a public-private partnership that will identify cost-effective ways to deliver quality early care and education to at-risk families and children. The foundation was allocated $1 million through the Education Bill, and a group of
corporations supporting early childhood programs including Cargill, McKnight Foundation
and United Way will donate another $2.5 million collectively to support the foundation.
Early Childhood Family Education
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), a program designed to assist parents and children in preparing for school, received $5.5 million in increased revenue through the Education Bill.
Head Start $4 million in new funding was allocated for Head Start, an early childhood program for low-income families. This new revenue fully restores funding for this program after
the cuts made in 2003.
Health and Developmental Screening
An increase of $1.3 million has been allocated for health and developmental screening. The
legislation moves the earliest age at which districts can screen children from 3 ½ years old to 3 years old, and provides higher reimbursement rates for districts that screen children at an earlier age. With the current system of early childhood developmental screening in Minnesota, over 60 percent of children are screened within two weeks of starting kindergarten. Earlier
screening increases the likelihood that children who need special services will get timely help and be well prepared to enter school.
Early Learning Guidelines
The Department of Education has developed the "Early Childhood Indicators of Progress: Minnesota’s Early Learning Standards" to provide information for parents and providers on the
expectations of three to five year olds by the time they enter kindergarten. The standards provide a framework of expectations for young children, and while there was no funding provided this year to disseminate the guidelines, they are available in several forms from the Department of Education's link to early learning guidelines.
Child Care Reimbursement Rate Freeze
In 2003, child care provider reimbursement rates were frozen at 2001 rates. As a result, families on child care assistance pay higher co-pays and must pay the difference between the actual cost of child care and the rate that providers are reimbursed. Even though during the 2005 session reimbursement rates for the Child Care Assistance Program were given a one-time 1.75% increase for 2006, the rates will be frozen indefinitely after that. This amounts to
$61.5 million less than was projected to be spent for the biennium. The cost of child care has increased so rapidly that many families have dropped out of the child care assistance program and it is unknown what kind of care the children receive while their parents are at work or school.
Child Care Assistance Parent Co-Payments
$4.1 million was included in the new legislation that will slightly reduce the co-payments that parents pay; currently some families pay almost a third of their monthly income on child care co-payments.
Child Care Licensing Modifications and Training Requirements
New rules were passed regarding parent notification of child care license violations, and new requirements for child care provider training in the areas of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), first aid, CPR, shaken baby, and seat belt safety.
Rural Child Care Rate Adjustment
Because of the 2003 provider reimbursement freeze, some rural providers saw a decrease in reimbursement rates. The new legislation requires the Commissioner of Human Services to restore reimbursement rates for any providers who received a decrease in reimbursement after the rates were frozen.
Provider Annual License Fees
With reimbursement rates frozen, many child care providers are struggling to keep their businesses open, so provider annual license fees were reduced to 2003 levels. In some cases, providers’ license fees have nearly tripled in the last two years.
All in all, not a really good year for child care providers and ultimately for children and their quality of care. Though there was improvement in some areas, there are many deficiencies to be overcome. As always, I welcome your comments and thoughts...
// posted by Tammy Wachter @ 1:39 PM 
