How do state budget cuts impact Early Care and Education in LA?

SaveMySeatLA

California has made staggering cuts to the early care and education sector, resulting in lost opportunities for children to be educated, parents to continue working, and members of the early care and education workforce to remain employed.

From 2008–2011, the State cut funding for early care and education programs by $1.2 billion, resulting in the loss of access to vital early education programs for over 100,000 children across the state. Every single early care and education program has faced significant budget cuts, including some programs that have faced budget cuts as high as 67% of their original funding levels. This has a profound impact on the ability of families – particularly low-income families – to survive economically.

From research to action

Working as a partner in the Los Angeles Children’s Data Network, a data and research collaborative, we analyzed the impact of funding cuts across LA County and shared the results online through an interactive website. We targeted those working on ECE issues, providing printable maps customized for their district in order for them to share the impact of cuts to their communities.

Next up

Following SaveMySeatLA, we continue to dig deeper to understand the Early Childhood and Education Landscape in LA County looking at Access, Workforce, and Quality. Our research is online and the data is available on interactive maps at ecelandscapela.org