Posted By HR Partnership on February 4, 2010

Shared by Smart Beginnings South Hampton Roads

Cutting effective early childhood programs hurts states now. When public resources are stretched thin, essential programs for young children often lose out in the budget process. Budget cuts that deprive children of a strong developmental start mean society and taxpayers lose, too.

Investments in early child development benefit states now. This year, policy makers in every state are forced to make hard choices. Priority must go to programs whose demonstrated economic and societal benefits, based on solid research, save money now and generate future revenue.

Programs that start children on the path to successful adulthood
—such as early education and parent support/home visiting—
spur workforce development in multiple ways.

Applying five principles can help secure states’ economic future. Enacting smart policies requires decision-making that prioritizes proven programs for all state spending:

• Human Capital: Expand programs that improve your state’s workforce and community well-being. These investments will help attract and grow new businesses;
• Early Childhood: Invest in the first five years of life. These represent the most powerful time to spur development of creative and productive members of society;
• Evaluation: Prioritize programs that have been proven effective; early childhood programs are backed by extensive research demonstrating their economic and societal value;
• Transparency: Ensure that budget decisions and priorities are clear and understandable; and
• Sustainability: Budget with an eye toward the future. Rebuilding the economy could take many years, but there are policies that can save money now and position your state well for long-term growth.

Download the complete brief from The Pew Center on the States’ Partnership for America’s Economic Success.

The Partnership for America’s Economic Success is a national coalition of business executives, economists, funders and civic leaders mobilizing business to improve tomorrow’s economy through smart policy investments in young children today. It is managed by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Categories: Education & Workforce
Tags: Education, Hampton Roads, Smart Beginnings