The 2023 Legislative Session closed last week with numerous budgetary advancements for early childhood education, child care, home visiting & more!
2023 was a historic session for Missouri children, with substantial increases in funding for core early childhood services. Some of the funding increases CTF advocated for included:
- $78 million for child care subsidy increases
- $55 million for Pre-K expansion
- $117 million increase for Children’s Division, including 110 additional FTEs
- $1 million for home visiting Collective Impact
- $2 million for evidence-based home visiting
Much credit goes to Governor Mike Parson for proposing many of these increases in his budget and advocating for this historic investment. CTF is also very grateful for the leadership of KidsWin Missouri and the early childhood coalition they have formed to support Missouri’s youngest children.
In addition to these budgetary increases, a bill to expand Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a year postpartum passed. This bill, which has been long-sought and proposed for many years, is vitally important to promoting the health and wellness of moms and their babies. The Children’s Trust Fund is thrilled with the outcomes from the 2023 legislative session and the many family-friendly policies passed by the Missouri General Assembly.
About Children’s Trust Fund
Created by the Missouri General Assembly in 1983, CTF is Missouri’s foundation for child abuse prevention. CTF is a non-general revenue state agency that conducts public awareness campaigns about the importance and economic impact of preventing child abuse and neglect. In addition, CTF distributes grants annually throughout Missouri to local community-based programs that support families and work toward the prevention of child abuse and neglect. For additional information, please call CTF at 573-751-5147 or visit ctf4kids.org.
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