The Federal Policy Landscape for Early Childhood Programs Matthew E. Melmed, Executive Director, ZERO TO THREE March 24, 2017

Overall Federal Policy Landscape: This IS the Deluge… Health Care: Affordable Care Act repeal, replacement, seismic shift in Medicaid funding Debt Ceiling Reached: Debt-limit suspension expired; extraordinary measures in effect FY2017 funding: not resolved Skinny Budget: FY 2018 topline budget with $54 billion defense increase paid for by domestic cuts May: Detailed budget with cuts to domestic programs and beginnings of deconstruction

First Up: Health Care Why is health care in the middle of an early childhood landscape? House Republican Bill: House scheduled to vote Thursday on bill that will cut $880 billion from Medicaid and cause 24 million people to lose coverage by 2026 Breaking news on vote and outlook Implications for young children Potential retreat from historic benchmark: Only 3.2% of children 5 and under without health insurance Less access to care, more economic stress for families Block grant option does not protect guarantee of EPSDT Could undermine the developmental backstop of routine pediatric care Cuts to federal Medicaid share could place more pressure on state spending for children’s programs such as child care, preK, home visiting, early intervention

FY 2017 Appropriations Shutdown Showdown? Continuing Resolution for FY 2017 funding expires on April 28 Many expect will resolve through an omnibus bill Where do early care and learning programs stand? CCDBG (FY2016: $2.761 billion) House: + $40 million Senate: + $25 million Head Start (FY2016: $9.168 billion) House: + $142 million Senate: + $ 35 million Preschool Development Grants (FY2016: $250 million) House: no change Senate: no change More at: What’s in the Budget for Babies ACTION POINT Ask Congress to pass an omnibus appropriations bill with increases for early childhood programs

FY 2018 Budget & Appropriations: Where can we make difference? Trump “Skinny Budget” – just a proposal Increases defense spending by $54 billion Deep cuts in departmental budgets HHS budget cut by 23%, BUT Narrative includes early care and education program on list of funded programs Not clear what programs included or what being funded means Programs that support low-income families, such as LIHEAP, cut or eliminated Supplemental request from President: Defense spending + Wall funding; domestic cuts Detailed budget in May Individual program funding levels Tax and mandatory spending proposals Critical Decision Point—Congressional Budget Resolution: Sets the discretionary spending totals More Reconciliation instructions Tell Congress to give Domestic spending Increases on par with Defense. ACTION POINT

Appropriations Process Underway Without a Budget Appropriations Committees starting to work Spending totals not yet set, but hearings underway House holds robust Early Learning hearing Members are determining their priorities now! Advocate for your priorities: CCDBG funding to cover reauthorization implementation Head Start increases for and significant expansion of Early Head Start Part C/Early Intervention Let Members know Early Learning Priorities ACTION POINT

ZERO TO THREE’s Federal Policy Agenda: Where do we see possibilities? Support parents as they raise their young children: National Paid Family Leave “Parenting Edge” initiative for broader support Expand communities’ support for early brain development Expand reach of Early Head Start Invest in high quality child care Reorient child welfare system around stable relationships and sound development Promote the positive mental health of infants, toddlers, and families—the bedrock of brain connections Expand availability and accessibility of IECMH services Create a well-qualified IECMH workforce Ensure adequate funding Photo © Kiwi Street Studios Copyright © 2016 ZERO TO THREE. All rights reserved.

Do Trump Promises Mean Opportunities? Child Care Trump proposal: Tax deductions Dependent Care Savings Accounts EITC rebates Concerns: Tax-side assistance doesn’t help families that need help most OR even those where many young children are found Deductions and Savings Accounts mainly benefit upper income families Rebates and deductions aren’t enough with high cost of care Does nothing to help build strong early childhood services with well-compensated workforce and high quality

Change the Conversation to Child Care Solutions for All Families ACTION POINT Push for funding direct assistance for low-income families through existing mandatory CCDBG funding stream Increase amount of Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and make refundable Infrastructure bill? Ask to include child care funding New jobs mean more child care needed & child care builds our nation’s human capital infrastructure

Do Trump Promises Mean Opportunities? Paid Leave Trump proposal: 6 weeks paid maternity leave Possibly expanded to parental leave Funded through Unemployment Insurance “fraud fund” Concerns: Length of time is too short Confined to maternity leave for birth mothers and maybe paternity leave Ignores modern definition of family Ignores the importance of time for bonding No paid medical and family leave Funding mechanism unclear

Change the Conversation to Paid Family & Medical Leave ACTION POINT Change the Conversation to Paid Family & Medical Leave

Home Visiting and MIECHV Reauthorization MIECHV expires at the end of September Current funding $400 million annually Mandatory funding must be offset with revenue or spending cuts Bi-partisan Congressional support Future directions Broader approaches to supporting parents Primary care-based child development and mental health support Advocate for Reauthorization ACTION POINT

Think Babies Campaign Goal: Raise awareness among federal policymakers about the importance of investing in policies and programs that support the healthy development of babies and toddlers. Activities: National digital organizing opportunities Local organizing tools Strolling Thunder: May 2 In Washington, DC and across the country!

Any questions? Thank You! Photo © Kiwi Street Studios Copyright © 2016 ZERO TO THREE. All rights reserved.