State Investements in Early Care and Education Increase Despite Budget Gaps

The National Conference of State Legislatures has just issued a report on Early Care and Education State Budget Actions for Fiscal Year 2009. The report finds that "although states began to face tough economic times as they developed FY 2009 budgets, early care and education programs continued to see some expanded investment". Additional findings included:

• Appropriations increased in all four survey categories; child care, prekindergarten, home visiting, and other early learning initiatives. Total increases were $651 million. The state general fund share was $402 million.
• Lawmakers increased support for early care and education programs even as budget gaps emerged.
• Many states that increased funding in FY 2009 also increased funding in FY 2008.
• It is uncertain if the trend toward increased investment will continue in FY 2010 Financing strategies to support early care and education.

For more on financing early care and education policies.