Bill Text: WV SCR38 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance study development of comprehensive early childhood program
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-20 - To Rules [SCR38 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2014-SCR38-Introduced.html
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 38
(By Senators Plymale, Unger, Stollings, Prezioso, D. Hall and Wells)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study options for gradually combining West Virginia’s early childhood programs into a comprehensive system of services for children.
Whereas, Current brain research shows that the brain is most active and most susceptible to experiences during the first three years of life. A number of early childhood programs currently operating within the state government have differing visions, goals and service populations; and
Whereas, Child care services within the Bureau for Children and Families have traditionally focused on work support, but the educational component should be prioritized and enhanced to improve outcomes for families and children. West Virginia invests in child care services to improve outcomes for both children and adults. The state would benefit by maximizing the potential of existing programs by combining services and creating unified vision, goals, and measurable outcomes for the combined childhood programs; and
Whereas, All parties would be best served by consolidating services for young children to reduce confusion regarding the variety of programs and to promote the comprehensive developmental needs of young children; and
Whereas, To create a comprehensive program in which West Virginia’s early childhood programs work jointly to maximize investments in the wellbeing of young children, various models of governance should be studied; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study options for gradually combining West Virginia’s early childhood programs into a comprehensive system of services for children; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study options to transfer the Division of Early Care and Education and the Head Start State Collaborative to create a unified vision for early childhood; and, be it
Further Resolved, That various state models, particularly Connecticut or other states, should be studied for an early childhood system; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the committee find the appropriate way to allow the Division of Early Care and Education and the Head Start Collaborative the ability to better collaborate with other early childhood programs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
