Child care has always been vitally linked to economic productivity. Working parents need child care services to support their efforts to earn a living for their families and provide a stable, nurturing environment for their precious children. That the national and Tennessee economies are critically dependent on a fully functioning child care system is a…
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U.S. Chamber Makes the Business Case for High-Quality Child Care
In its publication, Workforce of Today, Workforce of Tomorrow: The Business Case for High-Quality Child Care, the U..S Chamber of Commerce Foundation does one of the best jobs we’ve seen of articulating the case for state investment in affordable, high quality child care across the nation and right here in Tennessee. Here are excerpts from…
» Read MoreTN Dept. of Human Services Offers COVID-19 Assistance to Families
To help Tennessee parents serving essential workforce roles during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Human Services (TDHS) has established payment assistance and network of temporary care locations to make child care services free during the state’s emergency order. Tennessee workers in essential jobs – including first responders, food service, law enforcement, health care military…
» Read MoreFunds Now Available through TN Dept. of Human Services for affected persons and child care businesses
The Tennessee Department of Human Services announced the availability of funding for COVID-19 affected persons and child care businesses. Cash Assistance for People: The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is making essential financial resources available to families that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. Beginning 10 A.M. CST Thursday, March 26, families…
» Read MoreDespite Recess, Early Learning Policies Make Progress
TQEE proposed our most robust policy agenda at the start of 2020. Legislation to expand pre-k, increase high quality child care seats and address unspent TANF funds progressed through the committee process. Those bills remain poised for action by the committees if the legislature reconvenes this year. If the legislature does not return for an…
» Read MoreMayor Jeff Griggs – Lexington, TN – On Early Education, PreK and Child Care
Jeff Griggs, Mayor of Lexington, TN was a welcome supporter at this year’s TQEE Day on the Hill. He joined dozens from across the state advocating for legislation that will provide our children with improved early education. Mayor Griggs echoes our passion for equipping Tennessee’s youngest learners with the strong foundation they need for future…
» Read MoreA Bold, Urgent 2020 Agenda for Early Learning
We released our 2020 legislative agenda today! It’s bold, and urgent and needs your support! From expanding PreK, to setting a new course for affordable, quality child care, to doubling down on early literacy programs – the stakes are high! Read the summary HERE! You might also be interested in: Serve and Return: How Child…
» Read MoreTennesseans believe early education is key to ‘right track’ for public education
New poll of Tennessee voters shows overwhelming support for policy proposals to improve early learning outcomes birth to third grade. In the current partisan environment, Tennessee Republicans and Democrats often agree on very little. But when it comes to education, they’re strongly united in the view that the state’s public education system is on the…
» Read More$1 Billion and Change
How could this be? Why didn’t Tennessee policymakers know? What should we do with all this money? Those are questions being asked in response to a recent report issued by the Beacon Center, a conservative Tennessee think tank. In October Beacon reported that Tennessee has amassed a $732 million surplus reserve of federal TANF (Temporary…
» Read MoreTennessee Child Care Crisis Solutions Series: Introduction
Having published the report, Want to Grow Tennessee’s Economy? Fix the Child Care Crisis, TQEE is now dedicated to doing just that. The study revealed that Tennessee’s child care system is rife with problems of affordability, quality and access. Fixing it will require more than tweaks to component parts. The child care system is a…
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