Dear Advocates:
The House & Senate have passed their budgets. Here is the breakdown:
House
- $60m in federal COVID relief funds allocated to increase access and help child care programs recover from the health crisis.
- $3m to recruit & retain early educators to remain in the classroom & improve quality for children.
- $85m in unallotted funding NOT included.
Senate
- $20m in federal COVID funds allocated to help child care programs recover from the crisis.
- $3m to recruit & retain early educators to remain in the classroom & improve quality for children.
- $48m (FY22) to expand access to the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) for at-risk 3 & 4- year-olds. Note: Only available if revenue increases to a certain level in FY 21.
What’s Next?
The budget conference committee will meet to reconcile the two budgets. A final budget will be sent to Governor Northam in the next few weeks.
The Bottom Line:
Working families can’t work without early learning & child care—in any economy. Early learning is at the core of our economy. Investing in early learners pays off for children, families & society.
How You Can Help:
Take Action & Tell your Delegate…. That Early Learning Matters to YOU!