Lauren Mendoza
Posts
Letter Urges Support for ECE Apprenticeships as Senate HELP Committee Considers Workforce Development
This week, FFYF submitted comments encouraging the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee to include Early Childhood Education (ECE) registered apprenticeships in any update to the National Apprenticeship …

FFYF Hosts Congressional Briefing on Federal ECE Programs Ahead of FY22 Appropriations
On Tuesday, the First Five Years Fund hosted a virtual briefing on federal funding for early learning and care programs, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, …
Small Business Administration Changes Allow Family Child Care Providers to Apply for the Paycheck Protection Program
Through tomorrow, Tuesday, March 9, 2021, family- and center-based child care providers can apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans during an exclusive application period. This dedicated application period for …

Biden Executive Order to Support the Reopening and Continuing Operation of Early Childhood Education Providers
In January, President Biden issued an executive order (E.O.) to support the safe reopening and continued operation of schools, child care providers, Head Start programs, and institutions of higher education. …
Looking Back at Early Learning Legislation Introduced in the 116th Congress
According to FFYF’s years of national bipartisan polling, voters of every political persuasion say more should be done to ensure all children – particularly those living in poverty – have …

FFYF Joins Letter to President-Elect Biden Urging Ongoing Support for Early Learning and Care
Recently, FFYF joined a letter calling for the Biden Administration to continue to support improved access to affordable, high-quality child care, including those priorities outlined in the campaign’s 21st Century …

Bipartisan Jumpstart for Head Start Act Introduced
In December, Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Congressman John Katko (R-NY) announced the introduction of the Jumpstart for Head Start Act, which would provide $1.7 billion in COVID-19 relief funds …

New America Shares Strategies to Support Early Educator Degree Attainment
Earlier this month, New America published a report summarizing the work of its Supporting Early Educator Degree Attainment Working Group. The Working Group was convened last fall with support from …

Early Head Start – A Vital Component of the Continuum of High-Quality Care
As we continue our celebration of Head Start Awareness Month, this week we turn our focus to Early Head Start, which provides intensive, comprehensive child development and family support services …

Understanding the Importance and Connection Between Early Learning & Care Appropriations Funding and Emergency Stabilization Funding
Child care is not a luxury for America’s working families — it’s a necessity. Yet too many families struggle to find and afford quality early learning and care opportunities for …

Does Quality Early Childhood Education Lead to More Successful Lives as Adults?
The National Academy of Sciences Says “Yes”! The Science Behind It, a project of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), has added a new page to their collection of questions …

House Committee Holds Markup on Apprenticeship Bill that Would Incentivize Early Educator Apprenticeships
Last week, the House Education and Labor Committee held a markup on H.R. 8294, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020, which would provide new funding for apprenticeship programs, including grants …