Policy Pick: Early Childhood Programs in the 2010 Federal Budget

Click here to access information on the President's proposed budget. 

The budget increases funding for several existing programs including WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children), Early Reading First and the Community Development Block Grant. Additionally, funding has been allocated for new programs such as home visitation, the Early Learning Challenge Fund, Early Childhood Grants, and Promise Neighborhoods, a place-based strategy to improve academic achievement in high-poverty communities modeled after the Harlem Children's Zone.

While these significant investments by the federal government are exciting, the budgets for other programs have either been cut or remain unchanged. The Even Start Family Literacy program has been eliminated entirely from the proposed 2010 budget and Head Start programs have been increased only slightly, despite the significant economic benefits acknowledged within the federal stimulus package.

First 5 LA has advocated for Congress' support for funding programs that impact young children and their families and we will continue to track developments in the budget process, as many of the line items are directly aligned with our policy agenda. As part of this process, we encourage you to contact your local congressional representative and the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee to share your expertise and voice your opinions regarding the need for early childhood programs. 

Click here to view First 5 LA's letter regarding the budget. Click here to view a coalition letter to preserve Even Start which First 5 LA has endorsed. For additional information please contact Aleece Kelly, policy analyst, at akelly@first5la.org.

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