January 2022 Monthly Update
MEMBERSHIP
We are pleased to welcome the following organizations as new NCFN members!
Bella Vita Group
California Capital Financial Development Corporation
Community Trust Fund
Housing Trust Placer
Invest PGH Inc.
Lei Ho'olaha CDFI
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
The full list of NCFN Members is available on the NCFN website.
RESEARCH & REPORTS
First Five Years Fund Publishes Four-Part Blog Series on ECE Return on Investment
The First Five Years Fund recently published the final blog in a series on how investments in early care and education provide substantial social and economic returns. The full series connects federal proposals to expand child care and preschool access to K-12 education, public safety, health, and employment and earnings. Read the blog posts >
Brookings Study Suggests Public Investment in ECE Workforce Reduces Turnover
A new study from the Brookings Institute analyzes data from Virginia’s Teacher Retention Program for K-12 and ECE teachers, and finds evidence that publicly funded incentives for ECE teachers in center- and school-based programs have significant impacts on retention. In Virginia’s case, a $1,500 bonus for ECE teachers cut turnover rates in half, from 30% to 15% on average. Data used are pre-pandemic, but offer insight into potential impacts of using state and local ARP and other funds to support the ECE workforce. Read the report >
POLICY UPDATE
Build Back Better Update
In late December, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) indefinitely postponed consideration of the Build Back Better (BBB) Act when he expressed objections to the overall cost, size and scope of the Biden-Harris Administration’s economic and care agenda. The bill, which passed the House in November, would have included an expansion of Pre-K and a new child care entitlement program. With Republicans united in opposition to the bill and the Senate evenly divided between political parties, Senator Manchin’s opposition to the sweeping social spending package resulted in Democrats falling short of the 50 votes required to pass the chamber. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has expressed a commitment to having the Senate vote on a scaled-back version of the House-passed BBB bill early in 2022.
Ongoing engagement remains important. As negotiations on the Build Back Better Act continue, NCFN encourages all members and interested stakeholders to continue educating congressional leaders about the importance of dedicated funding for child care facilities and technical assistance and capacity building for providers.
FY 2022 Appropriations Update
The federal government is operating under a continuing resolution (CR) which funds government programs and operations at FY2021 levels through February 18, 2022. We anticipate that the final bill will include report language directing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to take definitive steps toward undertaking a comprehensive national assessment of the condition, quality, and availability of child care facilities. This national needs assessment is a core element of NCFN’s federal policy platform.
NEWS & RESOURCES
Member News
Children's Investment Fund, LIIF, LISC, and Reinvestment Fund presented on an Opportunity Finance Network webinar in December about the role of CDFIs in investing in child care. See the slides >
Other News
The Hill: What Happens When Child Care Runs Out? Read the article >
NPR: Child Care is Getting More Support From Some Private Companies. Read the article >
Next City: Seattle Affordable Housing Project is Designed with Families in Mind. Read the article >
Colorado Sun: The Need for Preschool Has Never Been Greater – And Never Harder – For Struggling Colorado Families to Get. Read the article >
Fast Company: This is How Child Care Boosts the Economy and Pays for Itself. Read the article >
The Post and Courier: Climate Change is Threatening Childhood as We Know It. Read the article >
Upcoming Events
Children's Funding Project: How States and Communities are Maximizing American Rescue Plan Funding for Kids in 2022 and Beyond
January 18 | 3:00 PM ET
Register here >