Federal Expenditures on Infants and Toddlers in 2007

Publication Date: May 2009

Publisher: Tax Policy Center

Author(s): Jennifer Ehrle Macomber; Julia Isaacs; Tracy Vericker; Adam Kent; Paul Johnson

Research Area: Population and demographics

Keywords: Children; Child Care and Development; Child Health; Economic Well-being

Type: Report

Abstract:

This report examines more than 100 programs through which the federal government spends money on children and calculates the amount spent on children under three. These first time expenditure estimates provide a place to start in gauging the priority the nation places on investing in very young children and in comparing expenditure patterns to researchers? findings about investments that work. For example, despite extensive child development research underscoring the importance of quality early care and education programs for infants and toddlers, especially those in poverty, just 7 percent of federal funding for children between birth and age 2 went toward these efforts in 2007.