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Policy Update Early Childhood October 17, 2019 For the Early Childhood Funders - Child Care Law Center. Federal ECE Budget News. The federal fiscal year ended on Sept 30 without a budget A continuing resolution at current funding levels to in effect till Nov. 21.
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Policy Update Early Childhood October 17, 2019 For the Early Childhood Funders - Child Care Law Center
Federal ECE Budget News • The federal fiscal year ended on Sept 30 without a budget • A continuing resolution at current funding levels to in effect till Nov. 21. • The House proposed solid increases for Head Start and CCDBG, but the Senate does not.
Federal Issues - New Public Charge Definition A person who is considered likely to receive a public benefit in future, based on all of person’s circumstances. What Benefits Will Count? • State, Local and Federal Cash Assistance • SNAP (CalFresh) • Federal Housing Assistance • Non-Emergency Medi-Cal (except children under 21, pregnant women)
NOT Considered in Public Charge • CHILD CARE • Benefits received before 10/15/19 • Benefits received by family members of applicant • MediCal for emergency medical conditions, children under 21 and pregnant women • CHIP or Affordable Care Act (Covered CA) subsidies • WIC • ALL school nutrition programs
Federal Proposed Rule for SNAP • The Trump Administration’sproposed rule would nearly eliminate categorical eligibility from SNAP. • This rule would take SNAP away from more than 3 million people nationwide • 500,000 childrenwouldlose automatic access to free school lunch. • Activists submitted comments to the Administration before the deadline on 9/23/19
California State Budget 14% increase in ECE funding over last year • $4.6 billion in 2018 • $5.3 billion in 2019 • Total increase: $673 million
Impacts of New ECE $ in 2019 Budget • 17,481 more children to be served inCalWORKs • 12,545 more children to be served in general CDE child care • 10,000 more children to be served in full-time preschool, non-LEA providers over next 2 years • $31.4 m in 2019-20 • $124.9 m in 2020-21 • Adjustment factor increase for babies, toddlers, and kids with disabilities and part-day state preschool • Annual inspections of all licensed child care by July 1, 2021. • Continued $ for foster children’s child care
Home Visiting & Black Infant Program is Funded in the Budget • $65.3 million to support infant and maternal well-being. • $45.9 million to expand home-visiting to more families – the state’s first expansion of home-visiting for families not in CalWORKs • $19.4 million for the Black Infant Health program. • $13 million may support the Perinatal Equity Initiative’s work to address racial disparities in infant mortality.
ECE Workforce Development Is Funded in the Budget • Grants for EC professionals available until 2023 • Priority to communities with high % of families who qualify for child care subsidies, high cost of living, and other needs to be determined • Can be used for trainings, transport, and more
CalWORKs Grant Increase is Funded in the Budget • 450,000 Californians live in deep poverty • Increase will bring most families’ CalWORKs grants to at least 50% of the FPL -- • $10,664 annually for a household of 3
Governor’s Master Plan for Child Care Purpose: “Ensure comprehensive, quality, and affordable childcare and universal preschool for children from birth to school age” Address: • Facilities & capacity • Trained workforce • Universal preschool • Revenue options • Build on Assembly Blue Ribbon Commission Recommendations • Establishes 27-member Early Childhood Policy Council • H&H Services Agency to release plan by Oct. 1 2020. SB 75
Creating Early Childhood Policy Council The Budget Bill created the ECPC to make recommendations to the legislature and Governor on early learning care policies. Duties include making implementation recommendations on the Assembly Blue Ribbon Commission Report and Master Plan. 27 member advisory group comprised of: • Parents • Child care providers • State agency officials • Legislators • Child care stakeholders AB 114
Governor’s Plan for Universal Preschool • Start with targeted universalism • Expand eligibility to districts where 80% of families qualify for reduced-price lunches • Eliminate work requirements for parents using full-day • Prioritize working families SB 75
California Legislation The Top 4 1 Immediate & Continuous Stage 1 Child Care 2 Early Learning & Care Infrastructure Grant Program 3 Increasing Quality, Nurturing Child Care Close to Home 4 Child Care Providers’ Right to Collectively Bargain
Immediate & Continuous Stage 1 Child Care As of October 1, 2019, families who enroll in CalWORKs will get: • Authorized immediately for child care (after assistance is approved) • Authorized for more activities • Full-time (unless parent requests otherwise) • For no less than 12 months or until they transfer up
Early Learning & Care Infrastructure Grant Program • Grants can be used for renovation, repair, modernization, retrofitting, and other related costs of existing facilities or to build new ones • Limited funding can be used to meet health & safety licensing requirements
Increasing Quality, Nurturing Child Care Close to Home Partnering to increase the availability of family child care • Family child care providers • Child care resource & referral agency staff • Child Care Law Center, legal partners, and • City planners
Decline of Family Child Care Homes California has lost one-third of its Family Child Care Homes since 2008
Child Care Providers’ Right to Collectively Bargain The “Union Bill” – AB 378 – passed Family child care providers, Family, Friend & Neighbor providers now have the right to negotiate a contract with the state to improve • work conditions, • care for children, and • child care system
Other Legislation to Support Children and Families No Sales Tax for Diapers or Menstrual Products SB 92– Passed
Supporting Student Parents AB 809 - Passed • Encourages community college and CSU child development programs to prioritize children of single parent-students who meet income requirements.
Developmental Screenings (0-3) Data Collection AB 1004 - Passed • Ensure that children are receiving developmental screenings in the first three years of life – by improving data collection state-sponsored health plans.
Trauma-Informed Screenings • Federal and Prop 56 dollars for developmental screenings for children; • Trauma assessments for children and adults who have Medi-Cal. • Funding can be used to train providers to do the screenings • Program ends Dec 2021 unless General Fund has more revenue
Paid Family Leave Expansion –SB 83- Passed • Birth mothers generally get 12 weeks total • Workers get 60-70% of their pay • Governor’s plan is to increase time off to 6 months and increase wage replacement up to 90%. • PFL application must be translated into more languages by 1/1/25 (Asm. Limon)
Child Care for Campaigning Parents AB 220 - Passed Encourages more parents to run for office, by allowing candidates to use campaign funds for child care expenses incurred while campaigning.
California Earned Income Tax Credit AB 91- Passed • Income ceiling is now $30,000. • Increases the tax credit for earners closer to the ceiling. • $1,000 more to families with at least one child under age 6.