Public Policy Updates

    PP James Moses.jpg
    James Moses

    Public Policy Updates

    Greetings fellow CAAEYC Members, there is a great deal happening in the world of public policy. At the time of this writing, we were planning for the Annual Conference. Since then, Governor Newsom released the May Revise. More updates to come in the future about the budget and its impact on the field.

    Between February 28, 2021 and March 2, 2021, many of our CAAEYC Public Policy Committee members participated in and provided leadership during the NAEYC PP Forum. Holding this event virtually was a little strange, but it was a fantastic forum nonetheless. In addition to the live presentations, there were many on-demand sessions that could be attended on our own timeline. Our California team conducted most congressional visits on Tuesday March 2, 2021 and continued meetings during the next couple of weeks to ensure we met with all constituent representatives. In all, we conducted 14 visits. Among other things, we advocated for passage of the American Rescue Plan.

    On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, a new COVID-19 relief package, into law. This $1.9 Trillion plan, included more than $39 billion for early care and education programs. $15 billion is for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) over the next three years, and there is $24 billion for a child care stabilization fund, which will be used as support grants for providers that were open during the pandemic. According to the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), California is expected to receive $3.79 billion.

    Additional critical supports for children and families provided by the relief bill include:  

    • $1 billion for Head Start  
    • $130 billion for K-12 schools
    • A permanent increase in annual funding for the Child Care Entitlement to States for a total of $3.550 billion per year
    • An expansion of the Child Tax Credit to $3,600 for each child under 6 years old and $3,000 for each child between 6 and 17 years old
    • An expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for one child or dependent and $8,000 for two or more children or dependents
    • An extension of the 15% increase to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits through September
    • $880 million for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children  
    • An extension of the voluntary emergency paid sick and paid leave tax credits from March 31 to September 30, 2021, and an increase to the total amount of wages an employer can claim the credit from $10,000 to $12,000 per employee

    More information on the Federal Plan:

    As it relates to state policy, we are well into year one of a two-year legislative session. CAAEYC is following many bills and beginning to evaluate which bills we should consider supporting/opposing. While there are hundreds of bills in the legislature that touch on our issues, we focus our attention on those that most closely align with our public policy platform which can be found here. For more information on the bills we are currently tracking click visit the public policy section of our CAAEYC website.

    Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, we are in a complicated budget cycle. While the typical budget cycle is still in place, there are truncated budget processes currently in place. CAAEYC is involved in this advocacy through work with our partners in the statewide ECE Coalition.

    Your Public Policy Committee currently meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm. For more information or questions around public policy please email us at CAAEYC Public Policy.

    Thank you,
    CAAEYC Public Policy Committee