Weekly Digest: May 20, 2010

Children's Champions Event on May 26

On Wednesday, May 26 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. in the Old Judiciary Room of the State Capitol, early childhood advocates from around the state will meet to recognize Connecticut legislators who have worked in their communities and in the legislature to improve the educational, health and emotional well-being of young children. All early childhood advocates are invited to attend.

After the legislators have been recognized, advocates are welcome to stay for a THANK YOU lunch hosted by the Alliance.

RSVP (by May 21) to the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance at 860.819.3647 or via e-mail to Sam Dynowkski at dynowski.ceca@gmail.com

CT Voices Publication: Impact of May Budget Adjustments on the FY 11 Budget for Early Care and Education

On May 7, 2010, the Connecticut legislature's adjustments to FY 11 expenditures (S.B. 494) were signed into law by Governor Rell. Adjustments affecting early care and education largely mirrored recommendations made by the Appropriations Committee in March 2010. Funding for Connecticut's Care4Kids program was increased to $103.42 million and $15.43 million was allotted to the Children's Trust Fund.

To read more, download the May 2010 report from the CT Voices website at http://ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_513.html

Report: Cost Savings Analysis of School Readiness in Michigan

Michigan's Great Start system encompasses both early childhood services and a strategic plan for the state’s early childhood system of programs, services, and supports for children from birth to age five and their families. This study, Prepared for the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, estimates the current cost savings and revenues to Michigan generated from the investments in school readiness over the past 25 years, the cost burden to Michigan when children are not fully-prepared at kindergarten entry, and the additional benefits that could be realized if Michigan were to expand its investment in school readiness to all educationally disadvantaged children.

The report found that over the past 25 years, Michigan’s pre-k program has saved the state more than $1 billion through lower grade retention and special education placement rates, reduced criminal activity and higher employment. Researchers also found that serving all low-income children in Michigan at a cost of about $236 million a year would save the state roughly another $600 million annually.

To download the report or a summary of the report, visit the Wilder Research website at http://www.wilder.org/reportsummary.0.html?&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[cat]=29&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=2267&tx_ttnews[backPid]=357&cHash=e47a145e45