Presentations

A Review of Innovative Funding Strategies to Increase Equity in COVID-19 Stabilization Funding Distribution

Presenters: Serah Fatani, Senior Fellow, Center for Early Learning Funding
Equity; Maya Portillo, Policy Associate, Center for Early Learning Funding
Equity

Stabilizing the Early Childhood Workforce Through Funding Design: Innovative Whole-System Approaches by Two States

Presenters: Theresa Hawley, Executive Director, Center for Early Learning
Funding Equity; Amy Checkoway, Senior Associate Commissioner, Policy, Research and Data Analytics, Massachusetts Department of Early
Education and Care

COVID-19 intensified our nation’s child care crisis and destabilized an already fragile business model. In addition to increasing child care supports which address demand – i.e. helping parents afford care – we must also find solutions to bolster the supply of child care. One innovative way to identify new supply-side strategies is cost modeling. It’s used by businesses of all types, and depending on the methodology, it can calculate the cost to run an entire child care system, an individual program, or the cost per-child.

BPC’s child care experts will break down what cost modeling is and how it can inform investments in child care on Monday, December 5. Experts will also highlight why both a market rate survey and a cost modeling analysis are not mutually exclusive tools and how the collected data can identify business strategies that can increase quality and access and sustain the child care sector.

Center for Early Learning Funding Equity staff discuss CELFE’s vision, areas of work, partnerships, and building a movement for finance and governance equity.

The authors of the Child Trends report spoke about the history of systemic racism in the U.S. and how it has influenced early childhood education (ECE) policy and practice, with a particular focus on educator pay and benefits, preparation, and workforce stability. A panel of discussants also explored recommendations for specific federal, state, and local policies and practices that may help facilitate change.

Keynote Address featuring: Christi Chadwick, Illinois Board of Higher Education, Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity, Project Director; Dr. Theresa Hawley, Early Childhood Transformation Team NIU/Office of the Governor JB Pritzker, Director; Dr. Jamiliah R. Jor’dan, Illinois Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development, Executive Director.