Governor Jerry Brown signed the 2016/2017 budget on June 27—notably making a significant multi-year investment to increase early education opportunities and stabilize California’s early learning system for our young children and the adults who educate and care for them. This investment begins with an additional $147 million in 2016-17 that is expected to grow to more than $500 million in 2019-20.
Highlights from the budget include:
- Raising reimbursement rates for early childhood providers.
- Expanding access to full-day state preschool for nearly 3,000 additional eligible children this year. Over four years, the state will add nearly 9000 additional children.
- Requiring the California Department of Education to develop a new quality funding expenditure plan that shall prioritize activities that support the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS).
- Providing funds for the Los Angeles Trade-Tech Community College to offer job training, mentoring, and college courses through an early childhood apprenticeship program
Learn more about the budget by reading the School Services Budget Memo.
Thank the Governor and Legislators for investing in early learning and care.
Click here to view a PDF with more information.