HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

228

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

supporting the school readiness task force in its efforts to study the manner in which funding streams for child care and early childhood education interact and to develop recommendations for better coordination and optimization of funding sources.

 

WHEREAS, the first years in a child's life are critical to healthy brain development and future academic success, which presents only a limited opportunity for development that carries enormous implications for the rest of a child's life; and

WHEREAS, studies have indicated that the provision of early childhood education, particularly for children of lower income families, can dramatically improve their academic success and educational achievements through adulthood; and

WHEREAS, increased participation in early childhood education programs will result in monetary savings through the prevention of future expenses for remedial education, incarceration, as well as the provision of monetary and other forms of public assistance; and

WHEREAS, in Hawaii, there is a growing need for child care and early education programs within our communities, especially for working families and those within the lower income brackets; and

WHEREAS, however, lack of information and access prevent low-income and working families from availing themselves of affordable, quality child care and early education programs; and

WHEREAS, increased access to affordable child care and early childhood education programs will enable many families to secure gainful employment in the workforce; and

WHEREAS, there are currently several different sources of funding or other assistance available to families for child care and early childhood education programs, including federal, state, county, and private sources; and

WHEREAS, a comprehensive examination of current funding sources for child care and early childhood education programs is necessary for the development and implementation of strategies to increase opportunities for early childhood literacy, learning, and development; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature supports the School Readiness Task Force in its efforts to study the manner in which funding streams for child care and early childhood education interact and to develop recommendations for better coordination and optimization of funding sources; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Co-chairpersons of the School Readiness Task Force.

Report Title:

School Readiness Task Force