LA Times | John Myers, Sonja Sharp, & Howard Blume “It’s a readiness gap as much — more than it is an achievement gap. People are not left behind as often as they…start behind.” Taking advantage of an influx of state tax revenue, California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a multi-billion investment in making transitional…
Teachers’ Mental Health Has Suffered in the Pandemic. Here’s How Districts Can Help
EdWeek | Catherine Gewertz The consulting group McKinsey & Co. surveyed 1,000 employers, and 90 percent reported that the pandemic was affecting the behavioral health of their employees. The Kaiser Family Foundation found that rates of anxiety and depression have quadrupled during COVID-19. As educators work tirelessly to help young children cope with the social-emotional strain of learning…
Policymakers Used to Ignore Child Care. Then Came the Pandemic.
The New York Times | Emily Peck Ten million mothers of school-age children were out of the work force at the start of the year, an increase of 1.4 million from 2020, according to a report from the Census Bureau. In a special report from the New York Times, Emily Peck looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic…
Does Biden’s Plan for a $15 Minimum Wage for Child Care Workers Go Far Enough?
Chalkbeat Colorado | Ann Schimke “It’s hard to recruit in the field when Target is paying more than you make as an early educator. At least at $15 an hour, there is some competitiveness there.” – Dir. of Research & Policy Meg Franko As part of the American Recovery Plan, President Biden last week announced…
Colorado Lawmakers Want to Help Kids Cope With COVID Pandemic with Unprecedented New Plan
The Denver Channel | Meghan Lopez “There’s a shortage of mental health providers nationally. Colorado is definitely up there. We are ranked 47th out of 50 in the country when it comes to need for care versus access to care.” Earlier this month, sponsors from both sides of the state legislature introduced HB21-1258: Rapid Mental…
Missing Kindergartners Drive Largest Drop in 20 Years in California’s K-12 Enrollment
EdSource | Karen D’Souza, John Festenwald, & Daniel J. Willis “California has among the largest achievement gaps in the country, and we know from research that those gaps are present before children arrive at school, so it is especially worrisome that so many kids missed out on kindergarten this year.” Enrollment in California dropped by almost…
Opinion: Informal Caregivers are Critical to Colorado’s Early Childhood Care and Education System
The Colorado Sun | Ryan Beiser & Christine Benero “A safe and nurturing environment for young children to learn and grow isn’t a luxury; it is essential in supporting the workforce of today and tomorrow.” Ryan Beiser of PNC Bank and Christine Benero of Mile High United way make the case for supporting family, friend,…
Colorado Got $119 Million in Early Childhood Funding from the Second Federal Stimulus Bill. Here’s Where It’s Going.
Chalkbeat Colorado | Ann Schimke “State officials estimated that at least 60% percent of the $119 million will go directly to child care providers across the state. The rest will go toward regional early childhood councils, community colleges, prospective early childhood teachers, and early childhood mental health consultants, among others.” Read more from Chalkbeat Colorado.
Early Childhood Workforce Innovation Grants Aim to Help Sector Rebuild from COVID-19
Six unique partnerships receive funding to pursue efforts toward strengthening Colorado’s early care and learning workforce. DENVER, April 22, 2021 – Early Milestones Colorado (Early Milestones) is pleased to announce the six partnerships selected to receive funding through Early Childhood Workforce Innovation Grants (Innovation Grants). The one-year grants range from $25,000 to $150,000 and…
Kids Aren’t Getting School Lunches as They Learn from Home. A Plan Will Get Money for Missed Meals to Colorado Families.
The Colorado Sun | Zach Bright “Human services said families will receive $136.40 per month for each child learning remotely and $81.84 per month for each child learning in a hybrid model. Children learning in person should have access to meals at school, typically breakfast, lunch and a snack daily.” Colorado families will soon have…
