President Obama released his budget proposal for FY 2015 yesterday and reaffirmed his commitment to expanding high quality early education for all young children. The proposed budget calls for additional investments in birth to five programs across the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education, including child care, home visiting, Head Start and Early Head Start, and pre-kindergarten.
The budget includes investments and initiatives to improve all levels of education, from early childhood education through college, as well as new efforts to ensure our workforce has the skills needed by American businesses. One of the priorities outlined by the President is “to build a foundation for success in the formative years of life,” and the budget proposes the following steps to achieve that goal:
The President’s proposal is the first step in the annual budget and appropriations process, and it is our hope that Congress will follow suit in supporting our young children. We know that when we invest in early childhood, we create the best possible outcomes in education, health and economic prosperity. Supporting healthy learning and development for young children and families is not a partisan issue, and it is encouraging to see these issues named as a national priority for investment.
To read more about how the proposed budget effects children and youth, please click here.
To view the President’s proposed budget in full, please click here.