At least 40 substantial Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) have developed in the last 10-15 years across the country. The challenge now is how to continue to improve the quality of the child care industry so children have better early learning and development experiences. Child Trends has just released a new evaluation of an...
Although many thought that lead poisoning has been largely abated over the last decade, the Flint water crisis has reminded the country that lead poisoning is a real threat for many children and families. You can check out a January WCCF post on the health concerns that remain. It’s well established that lead exposure is damaging to...
The United States needs to invest more in early childhood education, according to economist Jared Bernstein in his article in the Washington Post on February 1, 2016: Biggest Public Policy Mistake. He focused on the work of economist Tim Bartik, concluding: “We want parents of poor kids to work, but relative to other countries, we do...
Recently, Governor Walker delivered his sixth State of the State Address emphasizing improvements in the job market, the state budget, and education. With regard to education, Governor Walker stated that “Our school students are doing well overall,” and pointed to statistics about improved reading scores among 4th graders in the state....
Race to Equity's Racial Equity Community Impact list is a preliminary compilation of over 125 racial equity initiatives that have been implemented throughout Dane County since the release of the Race to Equity Baseline Report. The list is comprised of initiatives developed by the Madison and Dane County governments, non-profit...
The Flint water crisis has highlighted the damage that lead exposure inflicts on children, families, and communities. In Flint, residents were exposed to high levels of lead in the drinking water after a governor-appointed city manager, with an eye towards saving money, switched the city's water source. Exposure to lead in childhood can...
Early learning and development has been a hot topic for Sheboygan County, and exciting new efforts are underway. In a 2014 blog I wrote about Brown County’s breakthrough effort to make sure all newborn babies receive a Welcome Baby visit. (https://kidsforward.org/welcome-babies-brown-county-reaching-newborns/) Well, good ideas can be...
With about two weeks to go until the end of the 2016 open enrollment period, Wisconsin was on target to sign up substantially more people in the federal health insurance Marketplace than a year ago. The most recent Marketplace enrollment report from the federal Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS), with data on sign-ups through...
Affordable, reliable bus service is critical for many Wisconsinites, particularly low income workers and people who are elderly or have disabilities. Unfortunately, bus systems and other public transportation services have long been underfunded in Wisconsin, and a transportation funding bill the legislature is considering will compound...
“Quality child care matters” is the theme in the new report and summaries from the Committee for Economic Development (CED). Besides the overall economic analysis, the report includes Wisconsin-specific key findings and talking points. A few samples: The report, Child Care in State Economies, examines the child care industry’s effect...
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