Our policy reforms the current Missouri Coordinating Board for Early Childhood (CBEC) and renames it the Early Childhood Commission. Our policy is consistent with the mission and vision of the existing CBEC board and we expect any revisions to the commission’s strategic plan after we pass Amendment 3 to be consistent with this document.

Our policy mandates the commission to increase access and improve quality in preschool. Page 9 of CBEC’s strategic plan states:

Voluntary pre-k – a preschool program that is universally available, but voluntary to families. A Missouri Pre-K program will serve children two years prior to kindergarten entry, and will include a sliding scale fee structure. Pre-K will be available through any center- or family-based program (e.g., public, private, for-profit, non-profit and faith-based) that meets standards established for the program.

Faith-based, private, non-profit and public providers are all key ingredients to improving early childhood health and education across Missouri. Public-private partnerships are also crucial to achieving the policy’s objectives and our policy encourages them. The U.S. Constitution forbids public dollars from funding religious activities, including religious education curriculum.

How the Policy Works for Missouri Children and Families

Over four years, Missouri will phase in a 60-cent increase in our cigarette tax—which is currently the lowest in the United States.

That will raise more than $300 million a year, which will be put in a lockbox that can’t be used for any purpose other than investing in our youngest children.

• Between 75 and 85 percent of the funds will go to improving early childhood education, from preschool to parent and family support and education.
• 10 to 15 percent will help hospitals and other health care facilities improve access to quality early childhood health and development programs such as preventative health care, obesity prevention and infant mortality prevention.
• 5 to 10 percent will support smoking cessation and prevention programs for pregnant mothers and youth.

How We Developed the Policy

• For over 18 months, we polled, researched and traveled the state.
• We held 13 community conversations across the state meeting with local business, health and education leaders to discuss our general framework for the policy and what is important to communities.
• We met with dozens of early learning and early health leaders across Missouri.
• We met with CBEC and stayed in contact with them during the process as we were developing the policy.
• We held over 300 stakeholder meetings to learn about Missouri’s needs.

Handouts to Share

• Policy Summary

• Flowchart – how the money is collected, governing board & grant uses

• Rebuttal to Opposition’s False Claims + Top 10 Reasons to Support

• Provider Information

• Provider Information en Español

• Parent Information 

• Parent Information en Español

• Policy Infographic

• FAQs

 

You can read the full policy here:  http://www.sos.mo.gov/petitions/2016BallotMeasures