April 3, 2009 - This Week @ the Capitol
From Ready 4 K
This week at the Capitol, committees packed their schedules in preparation for the coming spring break, beginning on Tuesday, April 7 at midnight. Of most interest to early childhood advocates was the release of the Senate Omnibus Education Bill on Wednesday, which included a comprehensive package of policy changes, as reported in last week’s update, as well as $14 million in spending.
Not only did the Senate not include any cuts to early childhood on the education side of the ledger, but, under Sen. Tarryl Clark’s leadership, the Senate also recommended continuing the Pre-k Allowances pilot project for another year, expanding the Allowances into several other areas of the state in FY 2011, and also adding them to the base budget beginning in the same year. In conjunction with the Allowances, $500,000 was included in the next biennium for the Parent Aware quality rating system, plus $1 million each additional year going forward. The final bill passed out of the Senate E-12 Education Budget Division on Thursday, was heard and passed out of full Finance on Friday, will be heard in Taxes on Monday, and hopefully pass the full Senate prior to the break. Whew!
Switching to the human services side of things in the Senate, Sen. Berglin is not expected to release her budget prior to the break. While child care has typically not fared as well in the Senate, this year the federal stimulus dollars may help reverse this trend to some degree. On Thursday, representatives of Child Care WORKS, the Minnesota Child Care Association, and the Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network testified before the Senate Health and Human Services Budget Division in support of legislation to direct the $26 million in child care development fund dollars included in the federal stimulus package. Along with our allies, we are recommending using the $3.4 million in required quality set aside dollars to continue the Family, Friend and Neighbor grant program, fund Parent Aware, and fund provider training in preparation for a statewide QRS. The bill also specifies that the remaining $22.6 million should be spent to increase provider reimbursement rates, eliminate the basic sliding fee waiting list, and continue the School Readiness Connections pilot. It was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
Over in the House, Rep. Nora Slawik’s committee heard the House companion to the federal stimulus bill, several bills related to child care licensing, and Ready 4 K lobbyist Eric Haugee testified in support of legislation charging the Early Childhood Advisory Council to conduct a comprehensive inventory of early care and education program funding and usage. Both it and its Senate companion passed their committees, and are waiting for votes on their respective floors.
Managing Your Child’s Asthma
Title: Managing Your Child’s Asthma
Location: Virginia High School Media Center, 5th Ave. So. (Enter at Door #3)
Time: 3:30-5:00 pm or 5:30-7:00 pm (Choose one of the two session times)
Description: Do you wonder if your toddler will have asthma? Has your child been diagnosed with asthma? Are you unsure what asthma is? This free educational program is for parents & caregivers who want to learn more about asthma. We’ll discuss what asthma is, how to recognize early warning signs & symptoms, common “triggers,” medication, controlling it at home, prevention tips & more! Free childcare and a light meal will be provided. Please bring your child’s health insurance card. To help cover the cost of this training, some providers reimburse us for the program. To RSVP or receive more information, please contact Tracie at 744-2211 x 5014 or e-mail twilcox@aeoa.org.
Date: 2009-04-30
Concert: Pat Surface & the Boundary Water Boys
Celebrating Community…An Intergenerational Concert on Friday, April 17, 2009, 7 pm at the Merritt Elementary Auditorium, Hwy 169, Mountain Iron. Pat & the Boundary Water Boys will entertain you with music! Interactive sign language will be provided. Fun for all ages, donations are appreciated & will be accepted at the door. Refreshments will follow. Doors open at 6:30 pm. This event is part of the “Week of the Young Child” and “Iron Range Earth Day” events. Call 742-3805 or 735-8271 for more information.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Three things you can do:
1. Watch the Homeland Insecurity video (if you have a 3G connection or better; not recommended for dial up connections).
2. Visit Every Child Matters to read the Homeland Insecurity report.
3. And make your final stop Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota where you can find ways to support the April campaign and local child abuse prevention resources. Follow this link to sign up for the PCA-MN e-list.
Parent Support Group: Families of Special Kids
Title: Parent Support Group: Families of Special Kids
Location: Bois Forte Vermilion Social Center, 1610 Farm Rd. South, Tower
Description: Meet other parents of children with special needs, regardless of diagnosis.Gather for support, advice, and companionship. Be part of a grass roots effort by and for parents to enhance lives of families and children with special needs in the Iron Range. Questions may be directed to Pam DeMorett at 753-6087. Co-sponsored by ARC Range Chapter
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2009-04-15