PA Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics Calls for Stronger State Investments in Pre-k
Pediatric Residents Visit Lawmakers, Rally for Early Learning
HARRISBURG (May 16) – Pediatric residents from across Pennsylvania today called on Gov. Tom Wolf and state lawmakers to increase investments in high-quality pre-kindergarten programs to help more children grow up healthy and succeed in school and beyond.
The residents visited the Capitol on behalf of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (PA AAP), which today released a new report – Making a Healthy Investment in Child Development: The Benefits of High-Quality Pre-K – detailing how quality pre-k programs can help promote healthy cognitive, social and emotional development.
“One of the most significant periods for a child’s physical, mental, social and emotional growth is before they even enter kindergarten,” said PA AAP President Susan Kressly, M.D., FAAP. “These earliest years are a relatively brief window of opportunity that can make a huge difference in determining whether a child has a solid foundation for a lifetime of success – and high-quality pre-k helps build that foundation.”
The PA AAP is supporting the Pre-K for PA campaign’s call for a $90 million increase in the state’s pre-k investments for fiscal 2016-17 so an additional 7,400 Pennsylvania 3- and 4-year-olds can benefit from this once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity. Even with the proposed increase, more than 107,000 at-risk preschoolers will miss out on high-quality pre-k next year, so additional increases must be made in the years ahead.
Dr. Elaine Donoghue, M.D., FAAP, emphasized the role quality pre-k can have in mitigating the negative consequences of “toxic stress” – the extreme, frequent and long-lasting stress that often affects children who must endure poverty and other adverse conditions beyond their control.
“Toxic stress can actually alter the architecture of a young child’s brain, bringing with it long-lasting negative impacts that can undermine the ability to learn, think, react and interact with others,” Dr. Donoghue said. “Research shows toxic stress can be mitigated by the type of caring, stable and supportive environments found in high-quality pre-k programs. That’s why pediatricians support quality early learning as a critical tool to aid healthy development.”
High quality pre-k programs not only prepare children for success in school and in life, but these programs also have been shown to promote good health in childhood and into adulthood. The PA AAP’s report notes participants in high-quality pre-k programs tend to have more positive health and safety habits, better diet and exercise routines as adults, and lower rates of smoking, substance abuse, diabetes, stroke and heart disease over the course of their lifetimes.
Despite these many benefits to individuals and society, most of Pennsylvania’s 3- and 4-year-olds lack access to publicly funded, high-quality pre-k, and many of those missing out are at risk of academic failure. The most recent data shows that, among the approximately 175,000 Pennsylvania 3- and 4-year-olds at greatest risk of academic failure due to living in lower-income households, nearly 70 percent – or about 120,000 children – lack access to publicly funded, high-quality pre-k.
The PA AAP is a state-level organization of approximately 2,200 pediatricians who are dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of children and the value of pediatric practice. The Pennsylvania chapter supports the national AAP agenda for children and work on children’s initiatives that are specific to Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.paaap.org.
Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by individuals and organizations across Pennsylvania who believe that investing in our children is the right choice and an urgent necessity. Our vision is that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k. We will not endorse nor oppose candidates, but rather we will advocate on behalf of this vision for Pennsylvania’s children, schools and communities. For more information, visit prekforpa.org.
PennLive: Pre-K is a healthy investment in child development: Susan Kressly
May 13, 2016 by Susan Kressly
I’ve spent more than 25 years as a pediatrician in Pennsylvania, and in that time I’ve encountered many children who face challenges in their growth and development – challenges that, if left unaddressed, can limit a child’s opportunities, including the opportunity to learn.
High-quality pre-k is a proven tool to help overcome some of the negative impacts many of our young children face, including those children at higher risk of academic failure due to economic circumstances or family social and emotional issues.
Pre-k works, and Pennsylvania should be investing more in it so more of our young learners can benefit from it.
Why is high-quality pre-k such a significant, cost-effective way to help ensure a child’s healthy development?
In part because one of the most significant periods for a child’s physical, mental, social and emotional growth is before they even enter kindergarten.
Yet too many children face adverse conditions in these early years that can be detrimental to their healthy development.
Poverty is just one factor that can not only limit a child’s opportunities, but it also is a leading factor in what we called “toxic stress” in children.
Stress itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing for children or adults.
Some level of adversity or challenge is inevitable in every child’s life, and learning to manage the stress that can accompany that adversity or challenge is actually an important part of a healthy development.
But when we talk about toxic stress, we’re not talking about the type of stress that stems from everyday childhood challenges like taking a test, performing at a recital or playing goalie on the soccer team.
Learning to manage that type of stress is actually an important part of healthy development.
Toxic stress is a persistent, extreme, unrelenting type of stress – the kind related to things like prolonged economic insecurity – that can do lasting harm.
Research shows toxic stress can actually alter the architecture of a young child’s brain, bringing with it long-lasting negative impacts that can undermine the ability to learn, think, react and interact with others.
Fortunately, there are proven ways to mitigate the harm of toxic stress in young children.
One way is to help provide these children with caring relationships and stable, supportive environments. Those are exactly the kinds of positive relationships and environments found in Pennsylvania’s high-quality pre-k programs.
These programs can bring about dramatic gains in academic and social skills and in children’s emotional development, particularly young children who might face disadvantages due to circumstances beyond their control.
High-quality pre-k programs not only prepare children for success in school and in life, but they also have been shown to promote good health in childhood and well into adulthood.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has found that early childhood interventions such as high-quality pre-k programs have a high return on investment in both human and financial terms.
The statewide, nonpartisan Pre-K for PA campaign is calling on Pennsylvania leaders to increase investments in high-quality pre-k in the fiscal 2016-17 budget by an additional $90 million.
That way an additional 7,400 young learners can benefit in the next school year.
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the AAP supports this call for stronger pre-k investments.
Much of the work pediatricians do is focused on prevention. We work to make sure children are safe from things that might cause them harm.
Whether that means vaccinating against diseases or promoting the use of safety measures around the home.
And we work to mitigate the health impacts of things we cannot prevent, finding ways to heal and help children recover from harm that has come to them.
Pre-k programs are, in essence, a form of both prevention and healing.
High-quality pre-k programs can help prevent the loss of opportunity by preparing children academically and socially for success once they enter kindergarten. And these programs can help heal by lessening the impact of toxic stress and other negative forces that can undermine a child’s success.
If you look at it in that context, I think it becomes clear why pediatricians are so strongly supportive of giving all of our children access to high-quality pre-k.
And it becomes clear why Pennsylvania needs to continue increasing its investments in high-quality pre-k so more children – particularly those at greatest risk due to circumstances beyond their control – can benefit from pre-k’s proven return on investment.
Susan Kressly is the president of the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Read the op-ed here.
Lancaster County Prosecutor: Pay Now for Pre-K or Pay Later for Crime
DA joins Sen. Judy Schwank, Rep. Bryan Cutler at regional legislative breakfast focused on the case for expanding Pre-k quickly to thousands of at-risk kids in Berks, Lancaster Counties
Lancaster, PA (May 4, 2016) – Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman joined local United Way leaders and education advocates as part of a regional Pre-K for PA legislative breakfast today with Senator Judy Schwank and Representative Bryan Cutler to call for a serious investment in pre-k as leaders in Harrisburg launch budget negotiations.
The discussion focused on the need to increase state funding and research documenting the impact of high-quality early childhood programs on educational and life outcomes for at-risk children and specifically the resulting crime reduction. District Attorney Stedman documented how a state funding increase for high-quality pre-kindergarten programs could boost high school graduation rates, reduce the number of people who are incarcerated in Pennsylvania and lead to more than $350 million annually in Corrections and other cost savings to society over the lifetimes of the children served. Currently, Pennsylvania spends more than $2 billion annually¾about seven percent of the state budget¾to house about 50,000 inmates.
“The issue here boils down to dollars and sense – as in common sense. Incarceration costs our state $2.2 billion dollars a year – about 7 percent of our entire state budget – and is about 11 times more than we spend on pre-k,” said District Attorney Stedman, a member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids. “And that doesn’t count what we’re spending for the Lancaster County or the rest of the local jails across the state. While we’re never going to eliminate the need for law enforcement and corrections, we have to take every step we can to reduce crime. Starting early is a common sense way to accomplish this goal.”
The 2016-17 budget proposal includes $120 million in additional funding over two years for high-quality pre-k, which includes the $30 million in new funding already enacted for the second half of the current school year. If realized, Pennsylvania’s investment will rise to $197.284 million in Pre-K Counts and $59.178 million in the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program in FY 2016-17.
“In an atmosphere where a lot of people don’t agree with each other, the one thing that we all agree on is the importance of pre-k,” said Senator Judith Schwank, D-Berks. “It’s an investment that can make a world of difference. When the Secretary of Corrections says, ‘Give us more money for pre-k and you’ll cut my costs,’ I think that’s a message we should not ignore.”
Across Pennsylvania, there are more than 175,000 3- and 4-year-olds who are at-risk because they are in lower income households—70 percent of these at-risk young learners – more than 120,000 children statewide – had no access to publicly funded pre-k last year.
“Far too many of Central PA’s youngest learners don’t yet have access to high-quality pre-k education,” said State Representative Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster. “We need to ensure that all of our children are able to begin kindergarten on the right foot. We need to reduce that learning gap that we so often see in our schools. We owe it to our children to offer them the best chances at success, for our future as well as theirs.”
Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children President and CEO, Joan Benso outlined the enormous need for investment, particularly when it comes to the high percentage of at-risk kids with no access to pre-k. Benso outlined troubling statistics regarding the lack of availability of high-quality pre-k for children at greatest risk of academic failure due to conditions or circumstances beyond their control.
“Even with a $90 million increase in state pre-k funding for fiscal 2016-17, Pennsylvania would still have more than 107,000 – or about 61 percent – of at-risk preschool children without access to high-quality pre-k,” said Benso. “This is why Pennsylvania needs to step up its funding for pre-k not just in the coming year, but over the next several fiscal years. Every year we fail to step up is another year of missed opportunities for far too many children.”
Lancaster County has more than 9,200 at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds, and a staggering 83 percent of them – about 7,700 children – lacked access to publicly funded, high-quality pre-k last year. Berks County has more than 6,300 at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds, and about three-fourths of them – 4,800 children – also lacked access to publicly funded, high-quality pre-k last year.
Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by individuals and organizations across Pennsylvania who believe that investing in our children is the right choice and an urgent necessity. Its vision is that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k. Pre-K for PA does not endorse or oppose candidates, but rather advocates on behalf of this vision for Pennsylvania’s children, schools and communities. For more information visit www.prekforpa.org.
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CHOP Pediatrician: Pre-K Prevents and Heals
Dr. Nate Blum joins Rep. Todd Stephens, Rep. Madeleine Dean at regional legislative breakfast focused on the case for expanding pre-k quickly to thousands of at-risk kids in Delaware, Philadelphia Counties
Wayne, PA (May 4, 2016) –Chief of the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Nate Blum, MD joined local business leaders and education advocates as part of a regional Pre-K for PA legislative breakfast today with PA State Representatives Todd Stephens and Madeleine Dean to call for a serious investment in pre-k as leaders in Harrisburg launch budget negotiations.
The group participated in a panel discussion that focused on the need to increase state funding and research documenting the impact of high-quality early childhood programs on educational and life outcomes for at-risk children and specifically how it can affect a child’s health and development.
Dr. Blum outlined findings in a Pennsylvania Chapter of American Association of Pediatrics policy statement released earlier this year, “Poverty and Child Health in the United States” that noted early childhood interventions such as high-quality pre-k programs have a high return on investment in both human and financial terms, in part because of their power to mitigate the negative impacts of toxic stress. He also previewed findings of a PA AAP report to be released May 16th at the state Capitol in Harrisburg.
“Much of the work we do in pediatric medicine is focused on prevention,” said Dr. Blum. “Another key area of our work is mitigating the health impacts of things we cannot prevent. Finding ways to heal and help children recover from harm that has come to them.
“Pre-k programs are, in essence, a form of both prevention and healing. High-quality pre-k programs can help prevent the loss of opportunity by preparing children academically and socially for success once they enter kindergarten. And these programs can help heal by mitigating the impact of toxic stress and other negative forces that can undermine a child’s success. If you look at it in that context, I think it becomes clear why pediatricians are so strongly supportive of giving all of our children access to high-quality pre-k.”
The 2016-17 budget proposal includes $120 million in additional funding over two years for high-quality pre-k, which includes the $30 million in new funding already enacted for the second half of the current school year. If realized, Pennsylvania’s investment will rise to $197.284 million in Pre-K Counts and $59.178 million in the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program in FY 2016-17.
“All students should have access to early learning opportunities setting them on a path to success while reducing future government costs,” said State Representative Todd Stephens. “Pre-k can change a child’s path from one that leads to poverty or prison to one that develops into a life-sustaining career. Pre-k is great for both children and taxpayers.”
Across Pennsylvania, there are more than 175,000 3- and 4-year-olds who are at-risk because they are in lower income households—70 percent of these at-risk young learners – more than 120,000 children statewide – had no access to publicly funded pre-k last year.
“Research shows the value of quality pre-k education,” said State Representative Madeleine Dean. “The money invested in early education more than pays for itself over time in decreased special education, public welfare, unemployment, and prison costs.”
In his remarks, Jim Cawley President & CEO of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, outlined the enormous need for investment, particularly when it comes to the high percentage of at-risk kids with no access to pre-k. Cawley outlined troubling statistics regarding the lack of availability of high-quality pre-k for children at greatest risk of academic failure due to conditions or circumstances beyond their control.
“Even with a $90 million increase in state pre-k funding for fiscal 2016-17, Pennsylvania would still have more than 107,000 – or about 61 percent – of at-risk preschool children without access to high-quality pre-k,” said Cawley. “This is why continued and consistent investment in pre-k is so critical. Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed in their educational experience and ultimately to succeed in life.”
Philadelphia County has more than 29,900 at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds, and a staggering 59 percent of them – about 17,600 children – lacked access to high-quality pre-k last year. Delaware County has more than 14,850 at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds, and about three-fourths of them – 5,284 children – also lacked access to publicly funded, high-quality pre-k last year.
By the time at-risk children get to kindergarten, reports show many are already behind in vocabulary development and pre-literacy and pre-math skills. They can also have problems with behavior and impulse control – which makes it hard to get along with other kids and teachers.
Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by individuals and organizations across Pennsylvania who believe that investing in our children is the right choice and an urgent necessity. Its vision is that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k. Pre-K for PA does not endorse or oppose candidates, but rather advocates on behalf of this vision for Pennsylvania’s children, schools and communities. For more information visit www.prekforpa.org.
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Lebanon Daily News: Op-ed: Lebanon Needs Pre-k
By Lebanon City Mayor Sherry Capello
Earlier this month I joined mayors from across Pennsylvania in our state Capitol to urge expanded access to high-quality pre-k. As Mayor, I am focused on the economic future of Lebanon. This process includes growing the tax base, ensuring public safety, making sure that Lebanon has good jobs and, equally important, making sure that we have the talent needed to fill those jobs. Expanding the reach of high-quality pre-k can help address all of these concerns.
Business leaders tell me time and time again the challenges associated with finding the right and qualified people for job openings. The state’s Department of Labor and Industry maintains a database of tens of thousands of open positions that go unfilled because of shortages in skilled labor. It is well documented with research that children who attend pre-k graduate with stronger academic and life skills than their peers making them more competitive in the marketplace.
What’s less well understood is that expanding pre-k actually creates jobs and stimulates local business growth. Here’s how it works: New pre-k programs hire new staff who pay taxes, broadening the local tax rolls. Those employees spend their new paychecks locally and the pre-k programs also spend money on supplies that help our local businesses grow.
Public safety, incarceration and young children are topics that should not have any connection. But the facts about pre-k and its effect on reducing crime are real. One of the nation’s most extensive studies that tracked child outcomes over 28 years found that children without access to a good pre-k program were 70 percent more likely to be arrested by the time they were 18 compared to children who had the benefits of pre-k. Those same young adults were five times more likely to be chronic offenders by the time they were 27-years-old than their counterparts who were enrolled in pre-k. That’s why one of the nation’s most respected Nobel winning economists, James Heckman, points to pre-k as the most efficient strategy for improving the outcomes of children who we hope to lift out of poverty and keep out of prison.
This research shows that by expanding access to high-quality pre-k we can reduce our crime rate and make our community safer. It’s also why district attorneys and police chiefs from communities across Pennsylvania have lined up behind efforts to invest in pre-k under the slogan “Pay Now or Pay Later.” Less crime means less money spent fighting crime. Imagine what we could do to improve our community or lower our taxes if we didn’t have to devote so much of our local budget to public safety.
By stimulating economic growth and reducing public safety costs, over time we are likely to see that expanded pre-k can take some pressure off the local tax base.
In the short term, pre-k reduces special education costs so our school district is likely to see more immediate returns. Research from Pennsylvania and across the country indicates that when children start school with two years of high-quality pre-k under their belts, school districts are seeing the number of children enrolled in special education services drop by as much as 50 percent by 2nd grade.
I am excited by the local support behind expanding pre-k access. Recently, our YMCA, with the generous donations by many residents, opened the Ed and Jeannie Arnold Early Leaning Center. IU 13 and the Lebanon School District as well as other county schools are partnering with community providers to maximize the impact of the resources that we have for early education. But unfortunately it’s not enough.
There are more than 1,300 income eligible three- and four-year-olds that don’t have access to high-quality publicly funded pre-k each year in Lebanon County. In communities across the state, that number is 120,000 young learners that don’t have access.
That’s why I am advocating for our leaders in Harrisburg to continue to expand access to this essential first step in education. We all want a safe and prosperous community that offers good jobs and good lives for every family. Investing early in our next generation is a productive way to help accomplish this. As our lawmakers begin to work in earnest to pass a state budget by June 30, let’s not forget the good that can be achieved by more ambitious funding of our pre-k programs.
Read the full op-ed here.
