Capitol Update: Child Care Funding
From iCANN, the Interfaith Children’s Advocacy Network
The Governor proposes two reductions that impact families using the Basic Sliding Fee child care program. [Quality child care is key to early learning.]
- Reduced funding for Basic Sliding Fee program by five percent (a $4.6 million reduction). As a result of the reduced resources, the Basic Sliding Fee program would serve fewer low- and moderate-income families. This cut is in addition to the five percent reduction in reimbursement rates mentioned below. This would transfer $5 million of unspent Basic Sliding Fee reserves to the general fund. As a result of the Governor’s proposal, approximately 470 families will not get child care assistance.
- The Governor also proposes to reduce reimbursement rates for child care assistance programs for low- and moderate-income families by five percent (a $1.9 million reduction).
In addition, the Governor proposes tightening income eligibility for child care assistance for families receiving disability payments, saving the state $116,000.
And in the higher education budget, the Governor also proposes cutting $500,000 in child care grants from the Office of Higher Education budget in FY 2010-11.These grants help low-income students pay for child care while attending classes.
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