We must also recognize that the current collection of education, health, and human services for young children and their families is just that, a "collection" of services, not a unified system. For example,
At the federal level alone, over $10 billion in 27 separate programs support early childhood activities (Sugarman, 1991). Early childhood programs may be funded through the Department of Education via Chapter 1, Even Start, PL 99-457, as well as from the Department of Health and Human Services through Head Start, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program, the Social Service Block Grant Program, and a number of work-related child care programs. Parents also receive support from the Internal Revenue Service via the child care tax credit. This proliferation of programs is mirrored and extended at the state level, resulting in a variety of serious problems for local government, for program providers, and most seriously for families and children (National Association of State Boards of Education [NASBE], 1991, p.22).
Posted on March 23, 1995
URL: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/envrnmnt/go/93-3earl.htm
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