Representative Malinowski Prioritizes Early Childhood Education for FY 2020 Budget

Statement

This week the House approved nearly $20 billion in funding for the FY 2020 budget to support early childhood education programs, a $4 billion increase over the previous year budget, and the largest single year increase ever provided for these programs.

The funding will include $7.6 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant. In New Jersey single parents pay roughly 40% of their income for day care for an infant. Married parents of two living at the poverty line pay over 90% of their income for center-based care.

The funding will also include $11.5 billion for Head Start programs, a $1.5 billion increase over the previous year, and $400 million for preschool grants. Despite being the most successful early childhood education program, Head Start reaches less than half of all eligible 3-5 year-olds and fewer than 10% of eligible infants and toddlers.

"I had the great joy of visiting with preschoolers at the Head Start center in Dover, where I saw firsthand how important the program is to these kids. Early childhood education is the most important thing our country can invest in to make sure the next generation has the skills they need for the modern workforce," said Congressman Malinowski.

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