Early Childhood Focus

Area Children Suffer From Bad Economic Times

Fri, 20 May 2011 12:03:59 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Ahwatukee Foothills News

By Macy Fuquay
Drastic budget cuts made in 2009 continue to affect Phoenix families in the struggle to find employment.

New AZ Budget Ends Low-Income Child Care Help

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:22:57 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Public News Service
By Doug Ramsey
PHOENIX, Ariz. - State child care assistance for Arizona's low-income working parents will end July 1, under the new budget adopted by lawmakers. The program was frozen in 2009, gradually reducing enrollment by 19,000. This latest cut will drop the remaining 13,000 kids.

A Big Boost for Families in Need

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:06:29 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Arizona Daily Star
By Carmen Duarte
A Pueblo Gardens child-care center won a $50,000 grant from Pepsi to subsidize day care for 40 children from low-income families.

Free Childcare for Job Seekers

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:46:04 PST

EXCERPT FROM: East Valley Tribune
By Michelle Reese
Parents seeking employment can find free childcare in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Tempe at Sunrise Preschools and Tots Unlimited Preschools. The companies will provide free licensed care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years while parents go to job interviews.

Cuts to Child Care Subsidy Thwart More Job Seekers

Mon, 24 May 2010 14:14:02 PST

EXCERPT FROM: The New York Times
By Peter S. Goodman
TUCSON � Able-bodied, outgoing and accustomed to working, Alexandria Wallace wants to earn a paycheck. But that requires someone to look after her 3-year-old daughter, and Ms. Wallace, a 22-year-old single mother, cannot afford child care.

Less State Help Available for Child Care

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:35:24 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Arizona Daily Star
By Patty Machelor
There were no waiting lists for working parents who needed help with child care costs at this time last year.

Waiting List for State Child Care Swells to 10,000

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:44:40 PST

EXCERPT FROM: The Arizona Republic
By Casey Newton
Arizona's child-care system will hit a grim milestone today when the 10,000th child is turned away from a program that provides assistance to working parents.

Childcare Licensing Fees Unfair to Smaller Operations, Locals Complain

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:56:37 PST

EXCERPT FROM: The Daily Courier
By Joanna Dodder Nellans
The Arizona Department of Economic Security has adjusted proposed fee increases for childcare center licenses, in response to protests from the centers.

Hospital Offers Child Care For Sick Kids

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:27:44 PST

EXCERPT FROM: KPHO Phoenix
PHOENIX -- An east Valley hospital now offers a day care program for mildly sick infants and children.

Hundreds Protest Child Care Fee Increase

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:39:23 PST

PHOENIX -- About 200 child care providers and parents protested a scheduled fee increase for an Arizona child care license.

Perfect Storm Threatens Child Care (OPINION)

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:50:15 PST

It's a perfect storm in Arizona. Parents of young children in our state are facing rising child care costs and reduced tuition support.

Fight Brewing Over Child Care Licenses

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:48:04 PST

Operators of child care centers are organizing to battle a proposed increase in state licensing fees.

Arizona DHS Proposes Child Care Licensing Fee Hike

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:44:23 PST

The state Department of Health Services has just announced proposed fee increases for nursing homes, medical facilities, and child care centers. The purpose is to bring in more revenue to comply with the budget passed by the state legislature and signed by the Governor.

Parents, Child Cares Feel Pinch of DES Cuts

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:07:14 PST

A growing number of Arizona children - more than 8,000 - are on a waiting list to receive state-subsidized child care as the downturn in the economy drives an increasing number of families to seek assistance.

Report Says Arizona's Child Care Needs Work

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:57:45 PST

Child-care centers in Arizona have made mild improvements in helping children become school-ready and protecting their health and safety at care centers, according to a study released by a national non-profit that monitors the child-care field.

Brewer: Use Stimulus $ For Child-Care Costs

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:45:17 PST

PHOENIX -- Gov. Jan Brewer wants the state to use federal stimulus money to erase budget cuts suspending child care subsidies for thousands of low-income families.

Arizona to Limit Sign-Ups for Child Care Subsidies

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:46:31 PST

PHOENIX - In a move that one program advocate called a precursor to widespread service cutbacks expected from budget cuts, the Department of Economic Security said Wednesday it will restrict new enrollments for child care subsidies because funding doesn't meet demand and no new dollars are on the horizon.

Budget Cuts Force Child Care Waiting List

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:36:06 PST

Child care operators were notified Tuesday that the state Department of Economic Security will begin a waiting list for subsidized care beginning Feb. 18.

Child Care Centers Face Dropping Enrollment

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:20:33 PST

A growing number of child care providers are reporting a drop in enrollment as parents lose jobs or try to cut back expenses, according to an organization that helps connect families with quality day care.

Program for Children, Families Will Focus on Prevention

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:43:09 PST

Recent research indicates that strategic investments in early childhood programs pay off in the long run. Each dollar devoted to the nurturing of young children can eliminate the need for greater government spending later by decreasing the need for special education, increasing graduation and employment rates, reducing crime and use of the public welfare system and improving health.