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Public Policy Affecting Children |
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The day a child is born is the day public policy affects them. Public policy can make real changes and ensure that all our Long Island children and families have what they need to succeed.
Experts estimate an economic return of between $3 and $17 for every dollar invested in high-quality early learning programs. Research tells us that improving early learning opportunities is one of the smartest investments and commitments we can make socially and economically because of the high quality of the learning environment and the support given to families.
We can have the greatest impact and influence on our children starting today!
Not only will individual children and families benefit from supportive public policies – our communities can benefit from reduced crime, abuse, neglect and welfare dependency and an increased well-educated and successful workforce.
- Long Island returned over $11 million dollars out of $36 million it was offered to implement Universal Pre-K in 2007, The Early Years Institute embarked on a campaign to determine why, and how the $25 million we kept, was spent. The two-year study of Pre-K on Long Island shed light on why 65 districts did not implement Pre-K and how 53 districts overcame those obstacles. It also highlights areas of concern and innovative practices to learn from. "Windows of Opportunity: A Look at Pre-K on Long Island"
- Experts in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, education, and economics all agree that high quality early learning environments are needed to ensure optimal development for children. The quality of life an adult enjoys and the contributions he or she makes to society can be traced, in part, back to his or her first few years of life. Lessons Learned: A Review of Early Childhood Development Studies from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis (PDF)
- The nearly 250 members of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids New York are convinced that to cut violent crime and save lives and money, New York State should invest far more in high-quality early education programs. School or the Streets: Crime and New York’s Dropout Crisis (for the executive summary click here)
- Winning Beginning NY is a statewide coalition that believes all New York families should have access to affordable and high-quality early care and learning. 2010 Executive Summary
- The ZERO TO THREE Policy Center promotes good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences for all infants and toddlers, with special emphasis on those who are the most vulnerable and in need.
- President Obama's budget contains a dramatic increase in funding and new programs for low income families.
- ya es hora is a national 2010 census initiative to achieve a full Latino count. The effort is designed to ensure the Latino community gets its fair chair of billions of dollars in neighborhood improvements, public health, educational programs, food programs, and more.
Below is some information about current policies and local statistics:
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