Bill Overview
Title: Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act
Description: This bill authorizes through FY2027 specified provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for early childhood education. Specifically, the bill authorizes Part B, Section 619 (grants to states for preschool programs serving children with disabilities ages three to five) and Part C (grants to aid states in implementing early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families).
Sponsors: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Target Audience
Population: Children with disabilities aged 0-5 and their families benefiting from early childhood education initiatives
Estimated Size: 500000
- The bill focuses on funding educational initiatives for children with disabilities.
- Part B, Section 619, targets preschool-aged children with disabilities (ages 3-5).
- Part C targets infants and toddlers with disabilities, as well as their families, which can start from birth up to 2 years old.
- The goal is to support states in providing early intervention services for children with disabilities, which implies enhancing educational outcomes and overall well-being for these children.
- Approximately 2-3% of children in this age group have some form of disability or delay that might make them eligible for these services.
Reasoning
- The policy's impact should be concentrated on families with young children with disabilities.
- A certain percentage of families won't perceive a major change due to limitations in the program's reach and budget constraints.
- The interviews should include a balance of moderately to heavily impacted families, as well as those who might not experience significant changes.
- The diversity in family background, location, and occupation will influence how they perceive the policy's impact.
- The long-term impact might not be immediately visible but could manifest as children grow and education and support improve.
Simulated Interviews
Stay-at-home mom (Rural Texas)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy could be a game-changer for families like ours.
- Access to better early intervention services could help my child before starting school.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Software Engineer (Suburban Florida)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've already seen the benefits of early intervention; more funding can only help.
- The support we've received is critical, and more families could benefit from this.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Social Worker (Urban California)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is essential; I see firsthand the challenges families face without enough resources.
- Improving these services will help prepare kids for school, leading to better outcomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Retired teacher (Rural Ohio)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any support for early education is good, but will it reach rural areas effectively?
- The policy is promising, but execution will be key.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Freelance Writer (Rural Alabama)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We need more support ASAP; waiting lists are too long.
- I hope this policy helps, but access still concerns me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Accountant (Urban New York)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't expect this policy to affect us directly, but I see the societal benefit.
- Investing in children is always a step forward.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Construction Worker (Suburban Illinois)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any additional funding that addresses education for disabilities is welcome.
- Improved programs may help ease my worries about my child's future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Teacher (Suburban Oregon)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More funding could greatly enhance our teaching resources.
- The students will directly benefit, leading to long-term growth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Policy Analyst (Urban Washington D.C.)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative seems like a step in the right direction.
- Evaluation and adjustments will be crucial to its success.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired Nurse (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about access in rural areas; funding should address this.
- Hopeful that the family will get needed support through this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 2: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 3: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 5: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 10: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 100: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Key Considerations
- The need for substantial initial funding to ensure effective early childhood intervention services.
- Potential for significant long-term savings by improving educational and developmental outcomes early.
- Ensuring equitable access to maximize the potential benefits for children with disabilities across all states.