How will the State of Ohio’s 2010 budget affect your center?
4C for Children, the United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Cincinnati Early Learning Centers held a briefing on Ohio’s proposed 2010-2011 early childhood budget and the implications it could have for child care programs. Some potential changes within the new proposed budget include:
- The definition of part-time is being reconsidered. The governor’s budget proposal sets the definition of part-time hours within the state’s child care subsidy financial assistance program at 35 hours per week rather than the current 25 hours. This means, more children could be classified as part-time instead of full-time, thus receiving far less financial aid. Advocates have proposed a compromise amendment to define part-time as 30 hours a week.
- The Early Learning Initiative (ELI) is likely to decrease significantly from 12,000 children to 8,000 children.
- A higher reimbursement rate might be given to programs that are participating or have already been star-rated in Ohio’s Step Up To Quality initiative.
What can you do?
- Analyze your own center’s budget and what it may mean for your business.
- Write, call or e-mail your legislator and explain what this means to your program, with a focus on implications for the children (see sample letter below).
- Contact 4C to get involved with Step Up To Quality to offset your losses with quality achievement awards, staff scholarships and more.
There are many positives for early childhood education in the budget proposal:
- Preserving the T.E.A.C.H. college scholarships
- Preserving Ohio’s Step Up To Quality initiative
- Retaining current family eligibility for financial assistance at 200% of poverty
Make your voice heard:
Ultimately, the budget process requires negotiation and compromise between Ohio’s governor, House of Representatives and Senate. This is an opportunity for child care advocates to speak out and make a difference before the budget is in place.
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