Budget Passed by House Committee Includes Additional Early Childhood Funding
Today, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services approved a proposed budget for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The budget now will go to the House Appropriations Committee and then to the floor of the House of Representatives.
The budget includes $15 million in additional funding for NC PreK; $1 million for an early literacy pilot program to be managed by The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC); $2 million to ensure that rural communities continue to be served by Smart Start local partnerships; and funding for four regional development staff to assist Smart Start local partnerships in securing private funds.
Statement by Dr. Olson Huff, NCPC Board Chair
“Despite a mandate from House leaders to cut $60 million from the Health and Human Services budget, the House Appropriations Subcommittee—led by Representative Justin Burr—made sure that it did not come at further expense to young children. The proposed budget allows more four-year-olds to benefit from NC PreK, emphasizes the importance of early literacy, ensures that children in rural communities have access to early childhood programs, and provides assistance for bringing more private funding into Smart Start local partnerships.
I have heard Representative Burr speak on several occasions with conviction regarding the value of early education to our state. He frequently cites the fact that there are only 2,000 days from when a child is born to when that child starts kindergarten, recognizing the urgency and critical nature of that time period. And it is urgent. Children’s earliest experiences determine how their brains are wired; lay the groundwork for future health; and form the foundation of the social and emotional skills needed for academic and workplace success.
I ask that House and Senate leaders devote further funds to the Health and Human Services budget, so that we can truly begin to rebuild our state’s nationally renowned early childhood system”
