Full Restoration of Early Learning Funding Announced By GovernorBy MARY KAUFFMAN
August 16, 2019
“We are thrilled at the restoration of both Head Start and Parents as Teachers [PAT] funding,” said Kristin Ramstad, RurAL CAP Child Development Division Director, “and are eager to work with DEED [Alaska Department of Education and Early Development], our partners, and each community to meet the unique needs of our kiddos and their families.”
Governor Dunleavy confirmed during the announcement that he would be signing House Bill 2001 restoring all the funding for early education programs previously vetoed by the governor. Funding restored in HB 2001 includes: $6.8 million to Head Start Grants – Head Start provides free and comprehensive early childhood programs for children meeting federal poverty guidelines between the ages of 0-5. DEED has been providing State funds for grantees that may be used towards their 20 percent match since 2001. In FY19, funding was disbursed to 17 organizations, including RurAL CAP Head Start, Kawerak Head Start, Chugiak Children’s Services, and Kids Corps. Inc. $1.2 million to Early Childhood Grants - Early Childhood Grant funding was an extension to the Moore lawsuit – eligible districts to continue providing early childhood education services to students as they fully established their programs. In FY19, 10 districts received funding. $474,000 to Parents as Teachers Grants – Parents as Teachers funds are in addition to $2 million enacted in the FY20 budget for Pre-Kindergarten Grants, as well as the $4.2 million unspent grants carried forward from FY19. DEED has provided Pre-K funds to districts since 2009, and in FY19, eleven districts received funds. $320,000 to Best Beginning Grants – Best Beginning is a public-private partnership that mobilizes people and resources to ensure all Alaska children begin school ready to succeed. These funds, retroactive to July 1, 2019, come in addition to the $2 million enacted in the FY20 budget for Pre-Kindergarten Grants, as well as the $4.2 million unspent grants carried forward from FY19. DEED has provided Pre-K funds to districts since 2009, and in FY19, eleven districts received funds. Although the funding has been restored at the state level, allocation decisions determined by DEED are still pending. In the event that RurAL CAP’s allocation is reduced, Chief Executive Officer Patrick M. Anderson said RurAL CAP Head Start classrooms in 10 communities throughout Alaska remain at risk for closure or service reduction. If funding is restored to last year’s allocation amount, RurAL CAP would maintain their $2,751,143 in state Head Start and PAT home visiting funding, leveraged with federal funding to serve 24 communities across the state. “We are impressed with the statewide advocacy for vulnerable youth and embrace the restored funds for this year,” Anderson said. “Our focus has now shifted from early education advocacy to strategic innovation to maintain services in the communities we serve.” RurAL CAP Head Start and Parents as Teachers employees have been asked to return to work at the beginning of the school year, Aug. 22, pending DEED’s funding allocation announcement. DEED has scheduled a meeting with partners for Monday, Aug. 19, to discuss Head Start funding allocations. If funding allocation is reduced, the 10 communities that remain at risk for closure or loss of services include Anchorage, Chevak, Homer, Hooper Bay, Kake, Ketchikan, Kluti Kaah, Kodiak, Sterling, and Tok. Senate Democratic Leader Tom Begich (D-Anchorage) said, “Thousands of Alaska children will continue to have access to early education, and that is a good thing.” Begich said. “I am proud of all Alaskans who came out and voiced their opposition to these draconian budget cuts. It helped the legislature came together and stand behind our citizens to restore not only early education and pre-K, but many other services that are vital to our communities.” Governor Dunleavy said he had to veto these items, along with other essential and valued state services to have a discussion with Alaskans about the services they value. “I strongly encourage Governor Dunleavy to stop governing from the hip and to have a productive conversation with Alaskans and legislative leadership to move Alaska forward,” continued Sen. Begich. “Alaska’s budget situation has forced lawmakers and the Governor to make some tough choices. I am thankful that the Governor decide to continue investing in our children’s early education, knowing that this is the best return on an investment we get from public money. With competing demands on our budget, I am proud of all the parents, teachers, and early education advocates who repeatedly made the case that investing in our children is good for a child’s learning career, families, and communities,” Rep. Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage) said. HB 2001 includes $8.8 million for early learning coordination including $6.8 million in funding for Head Start programs in Alaska, which will prevent the loss of 540 spots for students and the loss of 150 jobs statewide. Head Start, which serves low-income children five and younger, is the largest provider of early education services in the state. The state funding is used as a match to obtain federal funding. Last year federal funding totaled $46 million. HB 2001 also includes $1.2 million for Early Education Grants used to fund several Pre-K programs across the state. The budget bill also includes $320,000 for Best Beginnings grants and $474,700 for the Parents as Teachers program, which helps empower parents to teach their children before they enter kindergarten. Chris said, “The fiscal challenges facing our state are man-made, but they are not children made. I want to thank the Governor for recognizing that fact,” Rep. Tuck added. “The research shows that spending money on a child’s early education is a great investment in the future. By committing to signing HB 2001 with the early education money included Governor Dunleavy is recognizing the importance of that long-term investment.” Alaska Governor Michael J. Dunleavy originally hoped to have HB 2001 completed this week, however it was announced today that a thorough examination and review of the bill is still being finalized. A final announcement will be made on Monday, August 19th. Ahead of Monday's signing, Governor Dunleavy today announced the restoration of two more education-related items included within HB 2001 totaling $809,100: “Like funds restored earlier in the week for Head Start, Early Childhood Grants and other early learning programs, these decision were made after significant input from Alaskans,” said Governor Dunleavy. “While we hoped to have these issues cleared up months ago, it’s important we announce these items now before the start of the school year.” Online with Libraries (OWL) – Restored $670,900
Live Homework Help (LHH) – Restored $138,200
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