Non-Profit Soapbox

Adults who participated in a high quality early childhood education program in the 1970s are still benefitting from their early experiences in a variety of ways, according to a new study.

Click here to read more about why investing in early childhood education is essential!

The New York Times Economix Blog gives us a rundown of how voters in every state choose how much to spend on public programs benefiting children, with telling results. Click here to read more...

Every Child Matters has published a similar report titled Geography Matters. Click here to read more...

Members of the US Congress have come back to Washington DC as their Christmas recess has come to a close. We wanted to give you a few items of business that took place at the end of last year before we head to the pressing budget issues of 2012 and the election.

Congress Passes Omnibus Fiscal Year 2012 Appropriation Bill

In December, the House and Senate agreed to a $915 billion bill (H.R. 2055) that funds the nine remaining appropriations bills covering a wide range of government activities including defense, foreign aid, children’s services, public health, education and training, veterans, the environment, and homeland security.

The largest of the non-defense appropriations bill is the one that funds Labor, Health & Human Services (HHS), and Education programs.  It will provide $156.3 billion for FY 2012, $1.1 billion below the FY 2011 level.  Programs critical to low-income families that received additional funding include the Community Services Block Grant, funded at $714 million, an increase of $12 million above last year’s level, Head Start, funded at $8 billion, up $424 million over last year’s level, and the Child Care and Development Block Grant which receives a $60 million increase to $2.3 billion. The maximum Pell Grant award is maintained at $5,550.