Department of Early Education and Care

This chapter focuses on the House of Representatives’ FY06 budget recommendations for programs serving persons with disabilities within the Massachusetts system for early education and child care. The new Department of Early Education and Care (DEE&C), to be established in FY06 as an independent agency, will consolidate all of the existing state early education and care functions previously housed within the Department of Education (DOE) and the Office of Child Care Services (OCCS). For additional information on the impacts of FY01–FY05 budget cuts and details about program services, go to the People First website at www.mass.gov/mddc/peoplefirst/index.html and click on the DEE&C chapter of Volume I in the table of contents.

HOUSE BUDGET OVERVIEW

New Agency on Track

Both the House budget and H1 for FY06 move to establish the new DEE&C as an independent agency with funding merged from different departments. There is also sufficient funding to maintain current services. The House budget for the whole agency is $468,393,575, which is a $17.69 million (3.9%) increase over the amount in H1 for FY06 and a 4% increase over the FY05 funding level. While H1 for FY06 would nearly level fund the new agency, the House budget allows for some modest increases. Advocates were pleased to see recommendations of $1 million for a new Early Education Scholarship fund (within line item 7070-0065), $7 million for a child care provider rate reserve, and funding for a Workforce Development Commissioner. There would be a total increase of $50 million.

The line items highlighted below are particularly relevant to disability issues because they provide a significant portion of the funding for inclusive preschools designated jointly for at-risk children, children with special education needs, and typically developing children with or without disabilities.

Line item Analysis

Account: Office of Early Education
Line item: Former DOE 7030-1000; House budget 3000-7050 (MFN) and 3000-4000 (CPC)

The Office of Early Education account funds early childhood educational programs. Community Partnerships for Children (CPC) offers comprehensive services and programs for preschool children, including inclusive preschool for at-risk children—a large portion of the inclusive pre-school program funding base. The Massachusetts Family Networks (MFN) Programs support efforts to bring families together for enrichment activities, education, and community building.

FY06 Needs

From FY01–FY05, CPC’s funding was cut 34% and MFN’s funding was cut 19%. Keeping programs intact and maintaining continuity in the transition to the new DEE&C is of primary concern. The flexibility CPC and MFN have had to work collaboratively with community councils to define needs has been integral to the success of both programs. Advocates recommend level funding of MFN at $5.3 million and an increase of $5 million for CPC.

House Budget Recommendations

Both the House budget and H1 for FY06 transfer these accounts with nearly level funding.

Account: Parent/Child Home Program (PCHP)
Line item: Former DOE 7030-1004; House budget 3000-7060

The Parent Child Home Program (PCHP) account funds intensive home visiting services targeting families whose income or education level may put a child at risk developmentally or educationally.

FY06 Needs

The Parent Child Home Program (PCHP) is considered a model in meeting the needs of its target population. PHCP now has less than a third of the funding it had in FY01. Advocates recommend increasing funding by $2 million.

House Budget Recommendations

Both the House budget and governor’s budgets for FY06 would transfer this account to the new DEE&C with level funding. Level funding is not enough to maintain services.