Hoeven proposes preschool aid, child care grants
By DALE WETZEL
Associated Press Writer
Gov. John Hoeven says he will ask the Legislature for $10 million in state aid for preschools, along with money for new child-care facilities and mandatory background checks for their employees.
The proposals are part of a $32 million plan laid out by the Republican governor Tuesday. It is intended to bolster state services for young children and the elderly. Hoeven said he intends to include them in his budget recommendations to the Legislature in December.
Hoeven and his Democratic challenger, Fargo state Sen. Tim Mathern, competed for public attention Tuesday on human services issues, with Mathern rolling out proposals to aid hospitals and broaden the availability of health insurance.
The state Commission on Education Improvement, which Hoeven appointed in January 2006, is considering proposals for state financing of preschool programs for poor children.
The step follows the Legislature's decision last year to provide aid for schools' full-day kindergarten classes.
Hoeven said Tuesday he has set aside $10 million in his proposed budget for preschool spending, which he said should increase youngsters' ability to learn while saving on their parents' child-care bills.
He also will propose earmarking $3.5 million for grants to build or expand child-care centers. Local North Dakota organizations that want a share of the money must contribute at least 25 percent of the grant amount, the governor said.
"It can be used to help start up a new day care. It can be used to help expand existing day care. It can be used to help sustain and stabilize existing day cares and make sure that the community needs are met," Hoeven said.
Another $1.5 million will be set aside to pay for mandatory background checks for child-care providers. Hoeven said he is working with Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem to draft legislation.
Megan Smith, of Bismarck, said at Hoeven's news conference that she supports his child care initiatives. She has a son who is almost 3 years old and is expecting her second child in less than three weeks.
"Access to quality child care is a huge issue, because I can tell you that I wouldn't be contributing to North Dakota's work force if there wasn't quality child care out there for my children," Smith said.
Mathern said he has backed state support of child care in the Legislature, and said Hoeven's proposal did nothing to lower its cost. He said he has favored a state income tax credit for child care expenses.
"It doesn't matter if child care is available if working parents can't afford it," he said.
Separately, Hoeven said he would push improvements to the state's Medicaid program, including an increase in the number of hours an aide may spend helping a client prepare meals, clean his or her home and helping with other daily activities.
The amount of money Medicaid recipients may have for personal needs should increase as well, Hoeven said. For a single person, the sum would rise from $500 to $720 monthly.
His proposals "will give seniors more choice and help them stay in their homes longer," Hoeven said. "This really builds on the home-based care that we have available now, and takes it, significantly, to another level."
Hoeven said he also will propose increasing personal allowances for developmentally disabled and Social Security supplemental income recipients who live in group homes and nursing homes.
This is only the beginning of a long legislative journey these concepts must travel. It will take everyone in the Early Child Development community to nurture these ideas to fruition. Take action. Become engaged in the process and join NDAEYC, NDHSA, CCR&R, ND Children’s Caucus and other advocacy groups as we move these ideas forward.
Barb Arnold-Tengesdal
University of Mary
Early Childhood Education
7500 University Dr.
Bismarck, ND 58503
701-355-8332
barbt@umary.edu
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