After multiple delays, the U.S. House and Senate have finally agreed on a FY11 appropriations amount. After much advocacy work and the strong support of the White House, Head Start and Early Head Start have emerged relatively unscathed.
The budget includes an increase of $350 million for HS/EHS, which will allow programs to maintain services to all children currently enrolled, including those added during the expansion last year.
It also preserves $100 million of the funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, allowing states to sustain some services and, we hope, continue quality improvements.
Now on to the 2012 budget, where we'll have just as energetic a fight!