Early Intervention and the Stimulus Money, ARRA

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides significant new funding for the early care and education of young children, infants and toddlers. Cities will be the only direct recipient of ARRA funds which impact on local economies by:

1. Providing access to quality care and education;
2. Stimulating jobs for more early education and child care providers;
3. Helping parents afford child care so they can work or get training;
4. Bring new resources into the local economy.

ARRA includes $4.6 for early care and education through:
(www.nlc.org)

1. Head Start- $1 billion
2. Early Head State- $1.1 billion
3. IDEA, Part C- $500 million
4. Community Development Grants- $1 billion
5. Community Services Block Grant- $1 billion
6. Social Services Block Grant- $400 million
7. Title 1, IDEA Part B, Others- $75 billion

The Department of Education awarded 50% of the IDEA Part C funds on April 1, 2009, the remaining 50% awarded by September 30, 2009. Funds flow to the lead agency in each state that implements the statewide system of early intervention (www.scholastic.com)

The principles and goals of ARRA are to stimulate the economy in the short term and invest in education in the long term. Four principles guided distribution of ARRA funds:

1. Spend funds quickly to save and create jobs;
2. Improve student achievement through school improvement and reform by:
1. Establishing Pre-K to college data systems that track progress and improvement;
2. Improving teacher effectiveness and distribute effective teachers to students most in need;
3. Providing intensive support for the lowest performing schools;
4. Making progress toward rigorous college/career ready standards.
3. Ensure transparency, reporting, and accountability to prevent fraud and abuse.
   Recipients must publicly report on how ARRA funds are used.
4. 4. ARRA funds are temporary, available for only 2-3 years. Their investment should
   not result in unsustainable commitments. (ed.gov/print/…/implementation.html)

Joan Lombardi, Ph. D. addressed several issues connecting ARRA with early childhood (The Dawn of a New Era: Investing in Early Childhood Helps America Recover and Grow, Georgetown University, 2009). She listed several key principles relative to a plan of action involving a wide range of stakeholders:

1. Move to common standards and supports across early childhood programs;
2. Recognize that low income children need more intensive and comprehensive services that start earlier to prevent the achievement gap;
3. Provide expanded support for teaching staff;
4. Reach out to parents as a core part of all early childhood services;
5. Design services to meet the needs of working families;
6. Assure continuity across programs serving children 0-8;
7. Link health services to early childhood programs.

She notes that two out of five young children will grow up in low income families and that all too many will face developmental risks. She urges a new era of support for a new generation.