NC Governor’s Proposed Budget Expands Early Learning Investments

The budget proposal released last week by Governor Roy Cooper to kick-off this year’s budget negotiations supports young children and their families through investments in child care, early learning, public education, health, mental health and child welfare. Highlights include:
  • Additional child care subsidy and NC Pre-K slots and an increase to the reimbursement rates paid to providers. This will allow more providers to offer subsidy and Pre-K slots and expand the number of children who can take advantage of the programs.
  • Expanded funding for Smart Start to increase support at the local partnership level.
  • An initiative to increase mental health support to students, through the child welfare system, through additional student support staff in schools, and through the mental health system.

Download an overview of provisions related to young children birth-through-eight and their families.