The 2010 session of the Alaska State Legislature produced some significant wins for early childhood. The gains are still tentative pending approval by Governor Sean Parnell.
As passed by both houses of the legislature, the state operating budget for FY 2011 includes funding for several priorities developed by the Alaska Early Childhood Public Policy Group. The policy group consists of Alaska AEYC, thread, Alaska Head Start Association, Best Beginnings, and the Alaska Infant Learning Professional Association.
Included in the operating budget for the new fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2010, are:
Denali KidCare: A change in income eligibility limits – from 175% to 200% of Alaska’s federal poverty level – means an additional 1,300 children and 225 pregnant women will be eligible for Denali KidCare. Children with access to preventive health care and development screenings have better outcomes for health and learning throughout their lives.
Best Beginnings: The legislature boosted its support of Best Beginnings’ work in early childhood partnerships and Imagination Library to $380,000. An additional $600,000 is to be shared between Best Beginnings and Parents as Teachers programs.
Access to quality child care: The legislature raised child care reimbursement rates to 75% for infants and toddlers and 50% for preschool age children. The group had sought 75% reimbursement for all child care, as well as an increase in family eligibility to 85% of state median income. The legislature did not address eligibility rates.
The budget also includes $2 million to fund a second year of the Alaska Pilot Pre-K Project, Alaska’s first foray into state supported pre-K.
Time ran out on HB 69 which would have established a statewide voluntary Parents as Teachers program. The House passed the bill just before adjournment, but there was not enough time left to get Senate action. However, the support lays solid groundwork for reintroducing the measure next year.
