BY RACHEL MIPRO, Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — Advocates will work to bring back an attempt to consolidate Kansas early childhood care services next year following a failed attempt at unifying the state’s scattered services this legislative session.
The move would have placed early childhood services — currently split among four different state agencies — under one office.
The centralized hub known as the Office of Early Childhood would have included nearly 20 state programs designed to support children and families, such as child care assistance, day care facility licensing, the Children’s Cabinet Accountability Fund, early childhood infrastructure and early childhood integrated data systems, among others.
While Senate Bill 96, which would have established the office, passed the House 110-10, the Senate failed to take action on the bill.
“A unified office focused on Kansas kids’ earliest years would have streamlined many services, making it easier for providers to get — and stay — in the field and families get the assistance they need to access quality, affordable care for their kids,” said John Wilson, president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children.
“The outcome of the bill is, of course, disappointing, but we know the state and Kansans will continue as they have for years: doing their best to provide for Kansas kids before they enter kindergarten,” Wilson added. “We’ll keep working next year to make the system more effective for everyone.”
David Jordan, president of the Hutchinson-based United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, called it a missed opportunity to move forward with state progress on child care.
“It’s too bad the Legislature failed to act,” Jordan said. “Hopefully we can move forward quickly next year to realize this vision and to continue to roll up our sleeves and advance other policies that may make child care more affordable for Kansas families and more accessible.”
The push for change followed December recommendations by Kelly’s early education task force. After an in-depth examination of the state’s early education pitfalls, the task force recommended that a consolidation law be approved in the 2024 legislative session, followed by establishment of the new office by July 2024 and completion of the consolidation by July 2026.
An executive director would serve as the state’s administrator for these services and advocate for early childhood needs with lawmakers and communities.
“This bill will streamline how we provide services, reducing bureaucratic burdens so more Kansas businesses, child care providers and families can easily navigate the system and receive support,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in early February support for the bill.
More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and community organizations signed onto a letter to support the change.
“The separation of early childhood services across multiple agencies is a logistical oversight that has created massive inefficiency and struggles for everyday Kansans, and hinders our programs’ abilities to reach the Kansans they were intended to serve,” the letter read.
“Multiple agencies means multiple overlapping requirements on providers and funding streams that are not aligned,” the letter read. “Our early childhood system should be designed by the lived experiences and feedback from constituents who interact with it on a regular basis.”