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The House's final passage of SB 2014 last week, which
included the CSC compromise language on future referenda, brings
closure to one of the most difficult legislative sessions CSCs have
ever faced. In previous years, CSCs focused on advocating for programs
that serve the needs of Florida's most valuable resource - its
children. However, CSCs found themselves this year having to defend
their funded programs, their longstanding accountability, and the
children they serve. Not at all what they anticipated a year ago.
Last summer, Florida CSC leadership agreed to make the centerpiece of their
organization's 2010 legislative agenda to work for system reform in the
state's early learning programs. They wanted to find ways and means to
consolidate governance and administration of early education under the
AWI Office of Early Learning. This move would have been an important
step toward forging a more efficient and seamless system for early
childhood services.
Instead, a surprise legislative proposal -- SB 1216 by
Sen. Joe Negron and most of the Senate leadership - required a
concerted effort during most of the 2010 legislative session to
preserve what voters in CSC communities said they wanted -- to make
children a priority. After many weeks of discord between both sides of
the philosophical divide, an opportunity for compromise surfaced with
help from Rep. Debbie Mayfield, the bill sponsor in the House. In the
end, Sen. Negron and the Florida CSC Board of Directors were able to
find middle ground. Compromise language was amended to an Early
Learning bill (CS/CS/SB 2014),
and passed by both chambers in the closing days of the session.
The terms of the
final compromise require CSCs to go back to referendum (in a general
election) as follows:
- By 2014 for Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee
counties;
- By 2016 for Broward, Hillsborough, Palm Beach and
Pinellas counties; and
- By 2020 for Miami-Dade County.
CSCs will be able to
define the terms of future reauthorization(s) in the language of their
respective referenda. The language can include reauthorization in
perpetuity, over a defined time frame, or, if undefined, automatically
going back to the voters for approval every 12 years.
Settling by concession may
leave some CSC supporters with a feeling of injustice, especially
considering that CSCs have operated so effectively and produced
measurable results for children and their communities. However, the
volatile political environment in Tallahassee made the CSC compromise
necessary at this point in order to achieve a more permanent solution.
Without the support of so many community leaders, constituents, and
colleagues, the result for CSCs could have been much more damaging.
Thanks to all who lent a hand. Now, it's back to work.
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Another Lean Budget, Most
Children's Programs Escape Cuts
In another tough budget year, the Legislature focused on
little else besides more cuts, trust fund raids (33 of them), reform
measures, and finalizing the Seminole Gaming Compact ($435 million this
year and at least $1 billion over the next five years). For most
lawmakers, the upcoming election season provided strong incentive to
pass the state's nearly $70.4 billion budget and get to "sine
die" on time.
One very distressing casualty of the final budget was the
35.5-percent cut ($10 million) to Healthy Families despite the
program's 12-year track record of success in stabilizing families and
preventing child abuse. The magnitude of the reduction will mean that
services for an estimated 3,500 families, including 6,000 children,
will be lost and at least 200 staff positions will be eliminated.
Advocates are still reeling from the shock.
Although efforts for major Medicaid reform did not happen
this year, lawmakers vowed to bring the issue up again next year. They
did approve a few tweaks, including a 7 percent rate reduction for
hospitals and nursing homes (5 percent for nursing homes if FMAP money
comes through). However, two children's hospitals - Miami's Children's
Hospital and St. Petersburg's All Children's Hospital - were spared the
rate reduction. Additionally, services for pregnant women between 150
percent and 185 percent of the poverty level will be fully funded.
While very few programs or agencies
were spared the budget ax, a number of Florida CSC priority areas
managed to escape significant cuts (see table below). Especially
important was the restoration of funds for VPK, which had been targeted
for a 15-percent cut. With a great team effort led by AWI's Brittany
Birken, the Association of ELCs, the Florida CSC, and many child
advocates and childcare providers, proposals were scrapped to reduce
funding for the base student allocation and increase the VPK class size
from 1:10 to 1:12. Thanks also go to Chairs Rep. Anitere Flores and Sen.
Stephen Wise, as well as members of the Pre-K-12 committees,
particularly Sen. Rudy Garcia who held the line on VPK.
It is important to note that in
addition to General Revenue, the 2010-11 budget was pieced together
using remaining stimulus funds, anticipated federal Medicaid matching
money (FMAP), and more than $500 million in Trust Fund sweeps - all
one-time, non-recurring money. This does not bode well for next year's
budget and beyond.
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FLORIDA'S 2010-11 BUDGET
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ISSUE
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FY
09-10
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FY
10-11
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COMMENT
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School Readiness
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$615.4M
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$615.4M
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Funding
maintained at current year level
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VPK (Non-admin.)
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$366.8M
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$404.4M
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Funds enrollment growth; Base
Student Allocation is $2,562 for the year and $2,179 in summer;
reduces admin to 4.5% (was 4.85% in 09-10); Teacher, student ratio
remains 1:10.
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Healthy Kids (KidCare)
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$237.8M
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$245.2M
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Fully funds expected enrollment
growth
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Healthy Start Coalitions (GR)
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$26.3M
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$23.6M
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Total $4.7M reduction in services,
$2.7M in GR and $2.1M in Health Federal Grants Trust Fund sweep.
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Healthy Start Coalitions (TF)
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$5.9M
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$3.7M
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Healthy Families
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$27.4M
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$18.1M
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$9.3M reduction, nearly
35% cut
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Early
Steps/Part C
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$11.5M
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$11.5M
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Fully funded
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Children's Medical Services
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$125.3M
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$149.1M
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Child Protection Investigation
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$38.2M
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$37.4M
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Community Based Care (CBC)
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$740.7M
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$740.9M
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Fully funded
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Community Based Care Equity
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$ -
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$10.3M
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Uses remaining stimulus funding
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Independent Living
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Held harmless, but no funding for
growth. Monthly stipend to be determined in DCF rulemaking process
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Maintenance Adoption
Subsidies
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Fully funded, including growth
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Juvenile Assessment Centers*
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$4.7M
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$4.7M
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$1M
original cut was restored to Leon, Pasco, Polk and Marion JACs
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PACE Centers
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$10.9M
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$11M
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Fully funded
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CINS/FINS
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$30.7M
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$30.8M
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Fully funded
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*
While the front end of the juvenile justice system (JACs) was virtually
held harmless this year, besides a cut of $188k to Community Based
Intervention, cuts to residential beds ($7.8M non-secure and $3.4M
secure) resulting from fund shifts to the corrections system still call
into question the Legislature's priorities on public safety.
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Late Change Allows PSNs to Provide
Behavioral Health Services
While efforts to pass major reform for Medicaid did not
happen this Session, the Senate agreed Thursday night to restore a
provision that had been stripped out of CS/CS/SB 1484,
and put it in the conforming bill. The provision "allows a
provider service network to provide behavioral health services in
addition to physical health services in areas of the state not under
Medicaid reform." This provision also applies to Federally
Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The language is authorization to
contract for Behavioral Health Services and does not favor any company
or provider. It is not opposed by anyone and is supported by the Agency
for Health Care Administration. The FQHC provision of Medicaid mental
health services is critical to children because FQHCs are some of the
only providers that can provide integrated care (primary medical care,
plus mental health). Efficacy has been shown to be limited when
treatment is split. FQHCs also can leverage federal wraparound dollars
for primary health care and additionally leverage funds for the
uninsured. Additionally, the capitated model allows FQHCs to achieve
cost offsets by reducing expensive interventions such as residential
treatment. Thanks go to Sen. Nan Rich and budget chairs Sen. JD
Alexander and Rep. David Rivera.
Lawmakers Approve Changes in State
Employee Insurance and Retirement Plans
State employees were
relieved that the Legislative Session did not result in a 3 percent pay
cut as originally proposed by the House. Despite little prospect of a pay
cut, not to mention no raise for the fifth straight year, some state
employees will see changes in their insurance and retirement benefits.
Roughly 27,000 bosses and mid-level managers who don't pay for coverage
now will start making payments July 1 ($100 for single coverage, $360
for family). However, they won't have to chip in part of their wages
for retirement benefits, although interest on stockpiled pension checks
in the deferred retirement plan (DROP) was cut by more than half
(effective for employees who enroll in DROP on or after July 1, 2010).
The state-paid life insurance for employees will now be a flat $25,000
instead of 1.5 times each worker's salary. Also, the state will cover a
5-percent increase in health insurance premiums, but copayments for
doctor office visits, name-brand prescriptions and emergency room or
"urgent" care will rise. Any provisions won't be finally
decided until Gov. Crist signs the budget. The governor has line-item
veto power with the budget. Read an editorial in Tallahassee
Democrat.
Hundreds
Celebrate Earth Day at Broward CSC Community Fair
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Face painting was one of
many fun activities at the Broward CSC Earth Day Community Fair
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More than 300
people participated in the Children's Services Council of Broward
County's (CSC) celebration of Earth Day dubbed, "Going Green -
Banking on Our Future." Held April 24, the event gave children and
adults the opportunity to participate in a scavenger hunt where they
learned tips on preserving the environment and received eco-friendly
prizes, including bicycle helmets, reading and coloring books, healthy
snacks and toys. In addition, many were treated to an interactive
concert by Lanny "Earthman" Smith.
"I thought it was an
absolutely wonderful thing the CSC did for the community," said
Donna Grossfeld, a visitor to the fair, in a telephone message to the
CSC. "I was with my daughter, a fourth grade teacher who got an
immense amount of information and our friend's son, who got a bicycle
helmet. I just want to say thank you," she said.
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ELC Bill Passes
with Unusual Amendment
The Early Learning Bill (SB 2014 C2), by Sen.
Stephen Wise (R-Duval) passed the full House last week after passing
the Senate the week before. The bill includes provisions related to
early learning, such as cleaning up obsolete statutory references,
clarifying state-level authority, increasing collaboration across state
agencies, and ensuring flexibility to meet federal requirements. It
also includes the CSC compromise language that requires Florida's eight
independent children's taxing districts to go back to the voters for
reauthorization over the next 10 years starting in 2014 (see CSC story
above).
Additionally, the bill requires the Agency for Workforce
Innovation (AWI) to adopt support service strategies for implementing
program requirements and requires Early Learning Coalitions (ELCs) to
incorporate those standards into their School Readiness plans. The bill
expands AWI's rulemaking authority to administer the program and
directs the Governor to designate AWI as the lead agency for
administering the Federal Childcare and Development Fund - the primary
funding source for the School Readiness program. The bill was also
amended to require the State Board of Education to adopt criteria for
granting good cause exemptions from meeting kindergarten readiness
rates for providers serving at least twice the statewide percentage of
children with disabilities or children identified as limited English
proficient. Those providers will still be required to show that the
children they serve demonstrate acceptable learning gains.
The bill also
requires the adoption of a standard contract to be used by the ELCs when
contracting with School Readiness providers; revises the
membership of ELCs; provides for a coordinated professional development
system; prohibits the use of corporal punishment in VPK programs;
revises procedures for child care market rate reimbursement (to
prevailing rates); gives new priority for subsidized child care to
families receiving TANF; requires a single statewide information system
(developed by AWI); and, revises requirements for services provided by
the statewide resource and referral network.
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Taxpayer Bill of Rights
(TABOR) Dies in Committee
SJR
2420 by Sen. Mike Haridopolos (R-Brevard), also known as
TABOR, never made it out of committee. The bill proposed an amendment
to the state constitution to limit tax revenues and, if passed by the
electorate, would require voter approval of new taxes and fees. The
bill no longer includes local governments under the spending cap, so it
would apply only to state revenues.
Bill to Limit Assessments for Non-Homestead Property,
Additional Exemptions for New Homeowners Stalls
SJR
1254 by Mike Fasano (R-Pasco) was read a third time and then
postponed. The resolution proposed amendments to the State Constitution
to reduce from 10 percent to 5 percent the limitation on annual
assessment increases applicable to non-homestead real property, provide
an additional homestead exemption for new owners of homestead property
and application and limitations with respect thereto. If passed by the
legislature, the measure would have appeared on the 2010 November
ballot.
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Transition
Services for Youth
SB
1356 by Sen. Stephen Wise (R-Duval) died in messages in the
House. The bill would permit the Department of Juvenile Justice
(DJJ) to provide transition to adulthood services to youth in DJJ's
custody or supervision. It required that transition-to-adulthood
services for a youth must be part of an overall plan leading to the
total independence of the child from DJJ's supervision, and the bill
specifies the requirements of the overall plan.
Governor to Sign Background Screenings Bill
HB 7069 by the Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council
along with Rep. Snyder (R-Martin) and Rep. Ari Porth (D- Broward)
unanimously passed both houses and will go to Gov. Crist for his
signature. The bill prevents individuals from working with children,
disabled adults or adults over 65 until they pass a background
screening. It also prevents those classified as sexual predators from
ever being able to work with vulnerable individuals.The bill also
requires that fingerprints be submitted in an electronic format to the
Florida Department of Law Enforcement by July 1, 2012, allowing
regulatory agencies to retain prints and receive continuous arrest
notifications from state and federal law enforcement entities.Gov.
Crist applauded the Legislature for passing the bill and thanked Sens. Nan
Rich, Victor Crist and Ronda Storms, and Reps. Ari Porth and Bill
Snyder for their leadership in getting the legislation passed.
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Juvenile
Justice Blueprint Bill Stalls
CS/SB 1072 by Sen. Stephen Wise (R-Duval) did not pass. It
originally passed both the House and Senate. However, during debate the
House added an amendment referred to as the "Adams Amendment"
and sent the bill back the Senate. The Senate refused to concur and
sent the bill back to the House where it ultimately died in messages.
It would have made changes to the juvenile justice chapter, along with
conforming changes to relevant statutes such as the "Children and
Families in Need of Services" (CINS/FINS) statute and the "Comprehensive
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Act" in an effort to
enhance services for youth in the juvenile justice system. The Adams
Amendment would have given a judge the authority to commit a child to
Juvenile Justice, but also determine the restrictiveness level, thereby
impacting the child's placement. Critics warned that this
provision would open the door for providers to directly and indirectly
lobby judges in an attempt to increase placements in their
programs.
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Booster Seat Bill Dies in House
SB
316 by Sen. Thad Altman (R-Brevard) passed the Senate and
was sent to the House, but never heard. The House bill was sponsored by
Reps. Rich Glorioso (R-Hillsborough) and Richard Steinberg
(D-Miami-Dade). It would have required booster seats, in addition
to seat belts, for children aged 4 through 7 and less than 4'9" to
protect the child by properly using a crash tested, federally approved
child restraint device. It also provided certain exceptions, and redefined
the term "motor vehicle" to exclude certain vehicles from
such requirements. Unfortunately, members of House leadership were
opposed to such a mandate on families and refused to allow the bill to
be heard. We thank the sponsors in the House who worked very hard to
pass this bill. We hope they will pick up the fight for children's
safety next year.
Legislature
Approves Bill to Create Collier County CSC
HB 511
by Rep. Matt Hudson (R-Collier) was approved by the full House and
Senate. The bill provides a charter to create an independent special
district to provide children's services in Collier County. An amendment
by Rep. Chris Dorworth (R-Seminole) was also adopted that will require
60 percent approval by Collier County voters in order for the CSC to be
established.
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Report
Details State Child Care Efforts with ARRA Funds
The National Women's Law Center released a report
detailing how states are using child care funds from the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). As a part of the ARRA economic
stimulus legislation, the Child Care and Development Block Grant
(CCDBG) received an additional $2 billion. CCDBG assists low-income, working
families in obtaining child care so they can maintain employment or
attend training or education programs to gain employment.
The report reveals that
the ARRA funds were helpful in ensuring continued access to the program
in many states and in necessary quality improvements in others. In
terms of access, states made use of the funds to continue covering
children receiving services; to keep up with the increasing numbers of
eligible children; to cover, reduce, or delay waitlists; and even to
expand eligibility. Quality improvements included creating or enhancing
quality rating and improvement systems, professional development for
child care staff, educational material and facility equipment grants,
social service connections, and infant and toddler care. To see how
your state spent the ARRA child care funds, download the report.
~ Source: Children's Monitor newsletter, Child Welfare League of
America
Federal
House Committee Holds Hearing on Reforming Juvenile Justice
On Wednesday, the House Education and Labor Committee held
a hearing on reforming juvenile justice and delinquency prevention.
This marked the first hearing of the full committee on these issues in
many years and gave a major boost to efforts to reauthorize the
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) and to get the
legislation done this year.
Tracy McClard, the mother of a child who committed suicide in an adult
facility, described in heart-wrenching detail the trauma and abusive
conditions that led to her son's suicide when he was in the adult jail.
Other witnesses urged the committee to support strong provisions to
reduce disproportionality in the juvenile justice system, increase the
emphasis on and funding for prevention, and do much more to utilize
evidence-based approaches. The chair of the committee Rep. George
Miller (D-CA) is expected to introduce legislation in the coming days
or weeks. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed their version of the
bill, S. 678, last year.
~ Excerpted from the Children's Monitor newsletter, Child Welfare League of America
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TAKE
NOTE
Children
& Youth Cabinet Meeting
Early
Learning Advisory Council Meeting
June 17
Tampa
One Goal Summer Conference
July 21-23
Tampa
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Early
Learning Listening Tours
Over the next two months,
the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services
(HHS) will hold a series of Listening and Learning About Early Learning
meetings with one stop in Orlando on May 4, which will focus on family
engagement. The meetings will focus on topics related to early learning
(birth through 3rd Grade): Understanding Preschool - Grade 3 Structures,
Workforce and Professional Development, Family Engagement, and Standards
and Assessments. The meetings will be led by Secretary Duncan's senior
advisor on early learning, Jacqueline Jones, and HHS's Deputy Assistant
Secretary and Inter-Departmental Liaison for Early Childhood Development
at the Administration for Children and Families, Joan Lombardi. The
meetings will help inform the work of ED and HHS around early learning. Learn more.
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Capitol
Connection is also available online at the FCSC web site.
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