DOE Cuts #2 & Gift Card Winners!

In Today’s Issue - Southwest Airlines & baggage fees, Amazon Gift Card Winners!, New Poll, DOE cuts part 2, = about 1 cup of coffee read time.

Thanks, Southwest, That’s Great…Southwest Airlines has been a family staple for traveling with kids. With competitively priced flights, lots of options and planes LOADED with loud kids, parents felt more at ease flying with Southwest (especially if you got those drink tickets prior). But now, one of the anchors, your two free checked bags, are going away. Ugh. 😩 Starting May 28th, Southwest will start charging for those bags. Knowing we could always toss a bag into the trip loaded with all the kids’ stuff and not have to worry about it made a huge difference. Our flight preferences may change (unless they mail more drink tickets to compensate for the difference)….

Shoutout to our Winners!!

We wanted to give a quick shout out to our Amazon Gift Card winners! A huge thanks to the following readers!

🎉 Yolanda A. with The Spanish Schoolhouse Fort Worth

🍾 Sara C. with Siouxland Christian Preschool

🥳 Nikkie H. with Ivy Kids

We Need Your Input! New Poll on Review Sites:

Before we get on with the issue, we need your help. Please take 10 seconds to complete the survey below. We are trying to learn more about the tools you rely on for reviews and referrals.

Department of Education Cuts Part 2

Last week, we covered the cuts to the DOE and how funding works and impacts to Head Start. This week, we’ll tackle the funding for Special Education for ECE.

DOE funds for special education in early childhood education are mainly distributed through formula grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These funds are used to support early intervention services for infants and toddlers, as well as preschool-aged children with disabilities. Here’s how they are used:

1. IDEA Part C Formula Grants: These grants fund early intervention services for infants and toddlers (birth to age 2) with disabilities and their families. Services include developmental assessments, therapy, and family support programs.

2. IDEA Part B Preschool Grants: These grants provide funding for special education and related services for children aged 3 to 5. States must ensure a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all eligible children within this age group to receive these funds. Services may include individualized educational plans (IEPs), speech therapy, physical therapy, and inclusive classroom settings.

What’s Supported?

DOE funds support various educational environments, including:

• Public or private preschool programs

• Head Start programs

• Regular kindergarten classrooms

• Childcare facilities tailored to children with disabilities.

What To Expect

What do the changes mean to industry and those centers that receive funding to support families with different learning needs? Let’s break it down: 📊

The cuts to the U.S. Department of Education aren’t designed to slash the “hard” money that these programs receive—because the funding streams such as those established under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are set by law—but they do threaten the infrastructure that supports and enforces these programs. In practical terms, here’s what that means for early childhood special education:

1. Transfer of Oversight and Reduced Technical Support:

   Key functions like oversight, technical assistance, data collection, and civil rights enforcement may be shifted from DOE to other agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). While this move is intended to maintain the flow of funds, many experts worry that there can be some disruptions that can lead to:

   • Delayed or Inefficient Service Delivery: You may experience slower responses to issues, delays in disbursement of funds, or difficulties in adapting to new oversight processes.

   • Weakened Enforcement: Protections ensuring the proper implementation of special education rights could be less robust, potentially impacting the quality and consistency of these services. 🚨

2. Disruption During the Transition:

   There may be a period of adjustment during which states, local districts, and service providers have to navigate new processes. Early childhood programs that serve high-needs children—often funded through IDEA Part C—could face uncertainty regarding:

   • Timeliness of Funding: Although the statutory funds remain intact, administrative delays in transferring responsibilities or processing funding requests can temporarily reduce the resources available for essential services. 🐌

   • Continuity of Services: Service providers may have to adjust to new oversight guidelines, which can disrupt established programs and impact the day-to-day support that young children with disabilities depend on.

In summary, while the DOE cuts are not meant to reduce special education funding per se, they can be delayed and there will be process changes.

Here are some tips and resources to help with staying ahead of these changes: We hope these are helpful!

Helpful Links! 🔗

• Stay Informed: Bookmark these websites that are keeping tabs on the changes: Afterschool Alliance and New America

• Check and Shore up Your Finances: There may be gaps in the timing of funds. Here are some tools that can help you go through your books and prepare your budgets! HHS Budgeting Tools or get a free template Online

The Internet is a Playground:

🗓️ On this Day in History: The world famous and iconic singer, Sir Elton John was born in 1947! I think we could all use a little Rocketman!

🍞How to: bake Irish soda bread.

🎯Game: Guess the movie using a pixelated poster? Why not?!

🦌  Aww: A real life Bambi.

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