The Parenthood’s Post

POLICY UPDATE: In a new rule effective October 2024, Head Start agencies can now “make an adjustment to a family’s gross income calculation for the purposes of determining eligibility in order to account for excessive housing costs.” This means that many families whose incomes marginally exceed the federal poverty line, which sat at $31,200 for a family of four in 2024, may now be able to access Head Start if they are spending a significant portion of their income on housing.  Learn more @ https://lnkd.in/gxZcBPjm. #childcare #policy #CDFI #CDFIs #childcareprovider #childcareproviders

This week is #nationalcareleavers week, and an opportunity for us to pull together and support the #CareExperienced community, raising awareness and advocating for change, now and in the future to come. ❌ Being forced into independent living from the age of 16 - 18 is not okay. ❌ Being sent to live miles away from your family and friends is not okay. ❌ Teenagers being failed each year by the system’s ‘fixation on independence’ often, without the support and guidance they need to prepare for adulthood is not okay. ❌ Creating a situation that can lead to young people leaving care before they are truly ready and being at a greater risk of poverty, mental ill health and homelessness - is not okay. 💜 Our young people deserve much better. 🫶 An often under-supported, and over-looked group, need all of our help, now more than ever to carve change, so they can lead happy, fulfilled lives, and have the same opportunities all our young adults deserve. 📖Read Becomes report and share with you connections. 💜 STAND UP for our care-experienced young people. 🙏Together, we are stronger. If you have questions, want to understand more, or discuss ways you can support, please reach out. Ems x #NCLW #CareExperienced #EndTheCareCliff

💰 Rising Child Care Costs in the UK 💰 The cost of quality full-time child care in the UK averages around £14,000 per year—a significant financial commitment for many families. As demand grows, finding affordable yet high-quality care options is essential for supporting working families. #ChildCareCosts #UKFamilies #ChildCareSupport #FinancialPlanning #Parenting

SNAICC - National Voice for our Children have released their Family Matters Report for 2024. The report finds that child protection systems continue to fail Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, exposing them to ongoing harm and trauma. Some of the alarming statistics: ❗ There are 22,908 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of- home care, which represents 41% of all children in out-of-home care, despite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children making up only 6% of the total child population in Australia. ❗ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are 10.8 times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children. ❗ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are 11.5 times more likely to be removed into out-of-home care as infants. #SNAICC #FamilyMatters2024 #AboriginalChildren #OOHC

Child support is vital for ensuring kids have the resources they need to thrive. While the guidelines might seem like a complex equation, understanding them is key. Here's the simple version: • The income of both parents, the number of children, and who the kids live with most are factors that determine the amount. • Knowing the guidelines allows you to make informed decisions for your little ones' well-being. Still in doubt? Use our Ontario Child Support Calculator: https://bit.ly/3xHGQIH 📲 416-650-1300 📩 lfine@torontodivorcelaw.com #ChildSupport #ChildSupportGuidelines #OntarioChildSupport #FamilyLaw #FineAndAssociates #TorontoDivorceLawyers #NavigatingChildSupport #LegalSupport

Once again, the Annie E. Casey Foundation has released its annual KIDS Count Report, with New Mexico again ranking 50th in overall child well-being. We have been 49th or 50th for years! The ABQ Journal provides a detailed breakdown of the challenges highlighted in the report. Jenny Ramo, founder of New Mexico Appleseed, raises crucial issues about the report and our response. It's clear that while we understand the problems, the focus should now shift towards solutions. States excelling in child well-being have made targeted investments in their vulnerable families. New Mexico has taken steps in the right direction with initiatives like an improved Child Tax Credit, highly subsidized child care, and universal school meals. It's imperative to continue this positive trajectory by analyzing relevant data to enhance our interventions. Check out the insightful article from the ABQ Journal for more details: [Link to Article](https://lnkd.in/eaMMaeCM) #ChildWellBeing #InvestingInFamilies #PositiveChange

How service reform can help break the cycle of disadvantage for children

'New government, new messages.' New article by James Hempsall, Managing Director of Coram Hempsalls. Read the full article on Children & Young People Now https://lnkd.in/e_nxH2sB #BetterChancesForChildren #WeAreCoram

Congressman John Garamendi’s newly introduced bill aims to address the gap in Head Start eligibility for families who, despite earning slightly above the federal poverty line, still face financial hardship in California’s high-cost economy. This bill would allow Head Start to reach more children and families without increasing costs, by aligning Head Start eligibility with other programs like WIC and federal housing assistance. Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director of Head Start California, emphasized that the proposed bill would allow more California families to access Head Start, helping to address under-enrollment due to income restrictions and a teacher shortage. Read more here. https://bit.ly/4eLPFSF #ProtectHeadStart #EarlyEducation #ChildCare #Advocacy #HeadStart #EquityInEducation

Child care remains unaffordable for many, with costs taking up significant portions of family incomes. We must tackle these barriers head-on and uproot systemic inequities in the #PathForward. It's time to invest in an accessible and inclusive child care system: https://brnw.ch/21wMo69