NAEYC Children's Champions Update
July 16, 2010
 
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS MOVING FORWARD
 
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education on July 15th approved the fiscal 2011 spending bill for the three agencies.  The plan is expected to be approved by the full Appropriations Committee in the coming weeks.
 
Although the information available this morning is only summary in nature and does not contain detailed programmatic discussions, what we can tell you is good news, particularly in what is a tough budget environment here in Washington.  Highlights of the spending package include:

• The Child Care and Development Block Grant received a total appropriation of approximately $2.827 billion, an increase of $700 million over 2010 spending levels.  This is a significant increase and will help states maintain some of the investments that they have made through ARRA funds.

• Head Start funding is set at $8.1 billion for fiscal year 2011, an increase of $866 million over 2010 spending levels.  This will help ensure that classrooms serving infants, toddlers and preschool age children with ARRA funds can stay open. 
  

• Spending for several programs in the Department of Education also was increased.  IDEA received an increase of four percent; Race to the Top grants are funded at $800 million and the Investing in Innovation grant program received $400 million.
  

The Subcommittee also included discretionary funding of $23.162 billion for Pell Grants, an increase of more than $5.5 billion over 2010 funding.
 
The Subcommittee approval is just the first step of the federal Appropriations process.  Next, the full Appropriations Committee will consider the spending plan and then the full House of Representatives will have to consider the plan.  The timing for that action is not yet clear.  What is important about the Subcommittee's action is that it sends a clear message that lawmakers view increased child care and early education funding as critical to the economic well being of the country.

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