State Fiscal Stress Jeopardizes Centers

04/02/2008

State Fiscal Stress Jeopardizes Centers

Every beetle is a gazelle in the eyes of its mother.
Arab Proverb

The latest issue of the Early Care and Education Consortium Newsletter (March 28, 2008; www.ececonsortium.org), highlighted these state budget developments...

"States across the country are facing budget shortfalls, meaning fewer new initiatives and more calls for program cuts or fiscal restraint. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 21 states face combined deficits of at least $37 billion for FY 2009, and 17 states have made or proposed cuts to programs. As you well know, child care is often a target for these cuts. In several states, preK funding increases have been scaled back as well.

"In California, the Governor called for 10% across the board cuts to try to remedy the $16 billion budget gap. Several cuts directly impact children in child care. According to the California Budget Project, changes to the CalWORKs program will mean 200,000 fewer children will have access to child care; $198.9 million would be cut from child development program funding, impacting over 18,000 children; and $59.6 million would be cut from after-school programs.

"In the face of a $1.2 billion shortfall, Virginia lawmakers scaled back the Governor's $50 million proposed preK expansion, appropriating $22 million in additional money."

Wanted: Early Childhood Workers

The Exchange Job Opportunities service lists job opportunities throughout the United States for Center Directors, Educational Directors, Teachers, Sales Representatives, and Cooks. This is the blue chip place to start if you are looking for work or if you are looking for workers.

Little Sprouts partners with American Education Group. Little Sprouts; Big Growth...

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.