Saturday, May 20, 2006
New Report Finds Minnesota’s Child Care Infrastructure Crumbling...
In April of 2005, The Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota released a report entitled "Missed Opportunities Produce Costly Outcomes" which focused on Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which provides low-income working families with financial assistance to access early care and education for their children. The most dramatic policy and funding shifts in early care and education in recent years have been to CCAP. The report analyzed the impact of the changes and made recommendations for future policy-making. This report revealed some frightening information about the state of early child care in Minnesota. If you never had a chance to read this report, please download it and look it over.
Yesterday, the CDF-MN released a follow-up report entitled "Missed Opportunities STILL Produce Costly Outcomes." This followup report paints an even bleaker picture of the state of early child care in Minnesota. It states that while the majority of Minnesota’s youngest children need child care for at least part of each day, the state now has fewer providers, and it has become increasingly difficult for thousands of parents to find and afford the type of care they need.
Some of the highlighted facts:
This report was released by the Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota and Child Care WORKS as the State Legislature negotiates final state budget priorities for the year. With more than $200 million siphoned from the Child Care Assistance Program since 2003, it is important that lawmakers understand the damage that has been done to Minnesota’s Child Care infrastructure.
The Senate Supplemental Budget Bill includes funding to alleviate some of these problems. Final budget negotiations are happening right now. Call the Governor and Key Lawmakers Ask them to support the Senate position on child care.
In April of 2005, The Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota released a report entitled "Missed Opportunities Produce Costly Outcomes" which focused on Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which provides low-income working families with financial assistance to access early care and education for their children. The most dramatic policy and funding shifts in early care and education in recent years have been to CCAP. The report analyzed the impact of the changes and made recommendations for future policy-making. This report revealed some frightening information about the state of early child care in Minnesota. If you never had a chance to read this report, please download it and look it over.
Yesterday, the CDF-MN released a follow-up report entitled "Missed Opportunities STILL Produce Costly Outcomes." This followup report paints an even bleaker picture of the state of early child care in Minnesota. It states that while the majority of Minnesota’s youngest children need child care for at least part of each day, the state now has fewer providers, and it has become increasingly difficult for thousands of parents to find and afford the type of care they need.
Some of the highlighted facts:
- Minnesota’s early care and education infrastructure is crumbling, having grown weaker over the past several years.
- ...public resources that support low-income families’ access to quality care have been drastically reduced. The total amount of state dollars cut from child care over the past three years is in excess of $200 million.
- From July 2003 to January 2006, there was a statewide net loss of 1,127 licensed child care providers.
This report was released by the Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota and Child Care WORKS as the State Legislature negotiates final state budget priorities for the year. With more than $200 million siphoned from the Child Care Assistance Program since 2003, it is important that lawmakers understand the damage that has been done to Minnesota’s Child Care infrastructure.
The Senate Supplemental Budget Bill includes funding to alleviate some of these problems. Final budget negotiations are happening right now. Call the Governor and Key Lawmakers Ask them to support the Senate position on child care.
- Governor Tim Pawlenty 651-296-3391
- Rep. Jim Knoblach, Chair, Supplemental Budget Conference Committee 651-296-6316
- House Speaker Steve Sviggum 651-296-2273
- Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson 651-296-3826
If enough of us take action and make our voices heard, we can accomplish something!
// posted by Tammy Wachter @ 8:23 AM 
