In the just-released federal budget proposal, President Obama is proposing the creation of a $120 million Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant program that would be available to states that are in compliance with the JJDPA core requirements to compete for. A story in Youth Today outlines a plan to combine funds formerly in the JABG and Title II Formula grant categories into this new “race to the top” style program. So, this could mean the end of JABG grants and no guarantee of formula funds coming into Wisconsin – although Wisconsin has made good progress both on compliance in general and moving toward more evidence-based and community-based programming that seems to be at the heart of the incentive plan. Watch what happens as the budget proceeds! (Note: the story seems to group Wisconsin in with other states as being “routinely out of compliance” – yet Wisconsin really has been out of compliance in only one requirement for one year in the past 9 years – perhaps a bit of journalistic license gone too far!).
Early Care & Education in the Fox Valley
Every child deserves a solid foundation in life, regardless of income. Affordable and accessible early care and education ensures that parents can get to work and sets children up for a strong start. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how child care is critical for children and families and why early care and education providers are an essential part of our local communities and a thriving economy.
