EXCERPT FROM DECATUR DAILY
By Johnny Kampis
Alabama’s prekindergarten programs have funding for only 6.5 percent of the state’s 4-year-olds.

EXCERPT FROM: thread
By STAFF
thread, Alaska's child care resource and referral network, will gather with parents, partners, and supporters at simultaneous rallies on Friday, October 1st at noon in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. The statewide rally is being held as part of a nationwide Step Up for Kids 2010 initiative where individual states are holding events to raise awareness among voters and political candidates regarding the issues American children face, including quality early child care, education, and health care.

FAIRBANKS — A group of child care providers and parents in Fairbanks has united to help address the need for affordable and quality child care for young children.

For the first time in seven years, the state raised its child-care assistance rates. But home providers say new rates for Juneau don't cover their costs.

While affordable housing is a big problem for many Juneau residents, child care is of equal or greater concern for many families.