As the country moves forward with coronavirus (COVID-19) recovery, counties are exploring ways to leverage diverse funding streams to support children from prenatal to age three (PN-3) and their families. A ballot measure is one approach for creating a local dedicated fund to expand services for young children that is informed by local need. While the process varies from state to state, ballot measures are often placed on the ballot by county elected officials then voted on by the general public on election day. If your county is interested in starting a ballot initiative, here are some approaches for getting started:
Establishing a Ballot Initiative in Your County
To create a ballot measure, stakeholders can come together to determine community-wide goals, assess community assets and needs and develop coordinated messaging on the importance of PN-3 investments. Advocates typically leverage existing champions from inside and outside of government to bring new stakeholders into the fold and share the importance of the measure with the public and elected officials.
Stakeholders can establish a campaign committee to build public will and ensure the initiative’s place on the ballot. A campaign committee can also help your county decide how the dedicated funds should be generated. Ballot measures often create a special taxing district that generates funds through sales or property tax.
The Benefits of Creating a Children’s Fund Board
Once passed, county elected officials and community stakeholders can establish a governing body, such as a children’s trust or council, to develop and fund programs, services and strategic initiatives for children and families. Creating this private-public partnership builds trust with the community, leverages strengths, promotes accountability and creates a mechanism for sustaining vital PN-3 services. When thinking about implementation, it is important to articulate that these funds are designed to supplement or complement government funding – not replace it – and help meet community goals.
County Success Stories
In 2012, Boone County, Mo. came together to pass a ballot measure to support young children. Seeing a need for more mental health services and social-emotional supports for children and their caregivers, advocates from the community went door-to-door to gain voter support to pass a sales tax increase to create a dedicated fund for children’s services. The measure passed with 57 percent support. Since its establishment, the Children’s Services Fund has supported services for more than 4,800 infants and toddlers under the age of three including mental health screenings, home visiting, Early Childhood Positive Behavior Support and well-child visits.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, county leaders have continued to prioritize infants and toddlers by leading ballot initiatives to expand services for children PN-3. In the November 2020 election, three counties passed ballot measures that create new funding streams for children’s services.
In both Escambia County and Leon County, Fla., voters created independent tax districts that will invest in community programs that demonstrate positive outcomes for children.
Leon County: In Leon County, the Board of County Commissioners voted to create a Planning Committee to explore a ballot measure for early childhood services. To advance the measure, the Planning Committee engaged more than 80 groups and organizations in the community, including the chambers of commerce, sheriffs and law enforcement, clergy and the county school board. Many of these leaders then wrote op-eds in local papers in support of the measure. It ultimately passed with 66 percent support.
Escambia County: The cradle-to-career coalition Achieve Escambia reviewed local school readiness data and other factors and found that outcomes for children in the county were remaining flat or worsening. The group worked with over 200 community members to write letters to the commission board expressing support for the ballot measure to help close these gaps. In light of COVID-19, the campaign shifted to a virtual campaign and held over a hundred virtual events to share their message. The measure was passed with 61 percent support.
In Multnomah County, Ore., residents approved Preschool for All, a voluntary, tuition-free program that will increase families’ access to high-quality care and learning environments. It will be paid for by a high-income earner tax on households with incomes over $200,000. Importantly, to ensure that child care slots for infants and toddlers are not lost as preschool programs expand, the plan includes an Infant and Toddler Slot Preservation Fund, which will incentivize providers to offer infant and toddler care. Development of the Preschool for All Plan was informed by community members, including the Early Learning Multnomah Parent Accountability Council. The measure passed with 64 percent support. To learn more, explore a recent report from the county here.
Key Considerations for Creating a Local Dedicated Funding Stream for PN-3 Services:
Identify and convene stakeholders from a variety of sectors who are interested in prenatal to three. A diverse coalition can include local non-profits, community groups and parents who can speak to the needs of infants and toddlers, as well as stakeholders from different sectors, such as business and the faith community, who have an interest in positive outcomes for children.
Conduct a community needs assessment to review gaps in funding and services. Reviewing county-level data on gaps in services and needs and better understanding the true costs can help make the case for dedicated funding for PN-3 in your county. This data can also help identify key priorities for the fund once established. Understanding what voters think through public opinion surveys can be an important early step.
Leverage local champions and trusted messengers to get the word out to voters. Local stakeholders or campaign committee members can develop a communications plan to help get the word out about the ballot initiative and build public will for PN-3. Campaigns can leverage community members and elected officials to write op-eds, speak at town halls and educate the public on why they support the ballot measure.
Children’s Funding Project, a partner of the National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers, helps communities and states expand equitable opportunities for children and youth through strategic public financing, including pursuit of ballot measures. Complete this form to connect with an expert about starting a local financing effort in your community.
Counties for Kids is a public awareness campaign for county leaders who are committed to making investments in young children from prenatal to age three (PN-3). We encourage all county leaders to join the network of champions advancing PN-3 policies, programs and systems. To learn more, email info@countiesforkids.org.