Welcome
|
For the latest 2012 Legislative Session update and enewsletter, click here |
 |
Every Child Counts 2012 Legislative Priorities
Once again a new legislative session is upon us. This session is expected to revolve around three key areas: education reform, mental health reform and property tax reform. Click here for the first Every Child Counts legislative update for 2012, which outlines up-to-date information on these areas.
In 2012, the Governor and the Legislature face another tough budget year. Every Child Counts will advocate for solutions that create a sustainable state budget that meets children's needs.
In addition to the over-arching priority of a balanced and fair approach to budgeting, Every Child Counts sees strategic opportunities for lawmaker action on each of its three priority areas:
- Quality Early Care & Education
- Child Health and Well-Being
- Child & Family Economic Success
Click here to view or download the 2012 Legislative Priorities for Every Child Counts
Children are Iowa's future, and their healthy development and well-being are critical to Iowa's economic vitality and quality of life. Investing in Iowa's children must be a top priority of state government - in health care, education, safety, and social development and well-being.
Thank you for all you do. We are hoping for a much shorter session this year than last and we are also looking forward to working with you during this legislative session.
Senator Hatch outlines budget proposal to help middle class families by helping Iowa’s children
State Senator Jack Hatch of Des Moines, chair of the Iowa Senate's Human Services Budget Subcommittee, outlined the budget proposal at a Statehouse news conference on January 4th.
The Children's Budget focuses on helping families by improving childcare services for working parents; improving health care for uninsured Iowans; and increasing help for children at risk of abuse and children in the foster care system.
Click here to find out how the Children's Budget will help Iowa's middle classs
10/25/2011: Every Child Counts Director Sheila Hansen pushes for more health and safety regulations in home daycares.
Click here to view Mason City's KIMT interview with Sheila.
Click here to read the transcript.
IN THE NEWS: Step Up for Kids news coverage:
Carroll Daily Times Herald (10.13.11): Program urges Iowa to Step Up for Kids
Fort Dodge The Messenger (10.10.10): Step Up For Kids emphasizes child advocacy
Council Bluffs The Daily Nonpareil (10.9.11): Groups remind candidates about issues that affect kids
Burlington The HawkEye (10.4.11): Third annual Step Up For Kids program targets candidates this week.
Early Care and Education State Budget Action FY 2011 from National Conference of State Legislatures
(July 11, 2011) The findings highlight that from FY 2010 to FY 2011, state appropriations were generally stable, with increases to prekindergarten, home visiting and other early childhood initiatives and a 2 percent decrease to child care. The analysis is based on the overall picture of decisions made in child care subsidy programs, state prekindergarten programs, home visiting funding, and appropriations to any other early childhood initiatives that states identified.
Click on the link below to download the findings:
Early Care and Education State Budget Actions FY 2011 - Summary of Findings
An online map, specific state and category information and 50-state profiles of data from FY 2008 to FY 2011 are available - State Budget Actions FY 2011.
• State-by-state profiles of appropriations for each year beginning in FY 2008.
Also, an ece budget map with updated FY 2011 information is available on the Birth to Five Policy Alliance website.
Kids Can't Wait to Learn: Iowa leaders show support for investing in children (video)
Iowa leaders representing business, education, health care and law enforcement explain why investing in voluntary preschool and other early childhood services benefits children, their families, and their communities. From improved social and emotional skills, better academic outcomes, and economic savings to schools and states, the best investment Iowans can do ensure a healthy future is to invest in Iowa’s most precious resource, their children.
Kids Can't Wait to Learn (.wmv)
First Focus provides fact sheet on Paul Ryan's proposed budget
(April 18, 2011) This fact sheet provides an overview of how Chairman Paul Ryan’s budget proposal would impact tax provisions established to provide tax relief for families, including the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Chairman Paul Ryan's Budget: Tax Implications for Children and Families
NWLC releases two reports on state child and dependent care tax provisions
(April 2011) Our friends at the National Women's Law Center have just completed a 2011 report on state child and dependent care tax provisions, Making Care Less Taxing, and the accompanying state report card, Making the Grade for Care, which grades those state provisions. This report, which helps state advocates and policy makers develop and improve these provisions, was last issued in 2006, and the 2011 report and report card cover the 34 child and dependent care tax provisions in effect in 28 states in tax year 2010.
Making Care Less Taxing: Improving State Child and Dependent Care Tax Provisions
Making the Grade for Care: Ranking State Child and Dependent Care Tax Provisions