The 2021 NC legislative session begins on January 27th. In addition to the normal state budget cycle, the legislature will be divvying up the federal COVID-19 relief funds passed in December by Congress.
We recommend this important early childhood Legislative Preview by our colleague Liz Bell over at EducationNC. She dives into what advocates say is needed for child care relief, child care subsidy reform, early educator pay, supports for working parents, and Leandro.
The article also highlights the economic report NCECF released in December. A parent survey and subsequent economic analysis found that, prior to the pandemic, NC parents, businesses, and the economy had been losing about $2.4 billion annually from inadequate early care and education. During the pandemic, that number has risen to $2.9 billion.