Investing money in preschools now could be a way for California
to reduce crime later down the road, according to a study scheduled
for release today.
Hollister – Investing money in preschools now could be a way for California to reduce crime later down the road, according to a study scheduled for release today.
The study found that that kids who did not attend preschool were twice as likely to become career criminals and four times more likely to be arrested for drug felonies than those who participated in an early childhood development program over a 40-year period. The report also found that found that 76 percent of low-income kids across the state are on waiting lists for preschools, according to Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California – a group of law enforcement officials and victims throughout the state who will release the report “Public Safety Cannot Wait” in Sacramento this afternoon.
The report concludes that increased funding for preschools is important not only to raise healthier children, but also to save money that would otherwise go to building more prisons, hiring police officers, implementing anti-drug programs and other crime related social costs.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if we could start working with our young people right now to give them a better opportunity for success?” said San Benito County Sheriff Curtis HIll, who was recently appointed to the executive board of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California. “Let’s change the percentages of the kids who will grow up to be at risk and get into trouble when they hit their teenage years and end up in my county jail,” he said.
For every dollar spent on prevention, $7 are saved said Hill, who plans to meet with U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein in March to discuss what can be done to increase federal funding. Law enforcement officials throughout California who belong to the organization, plan to lobby state and the federal government to channel more money into preschools.
About 170 kids in San Benito County are eligible for Head Start, the federally-funded, national childcare program that provides early education services to kids ages three to five. But close to 40 percent are on a waiting list according to Ana Trujillo, director of Head Start for Santa Clara and San Benito counties. To be eligible, the income for a family of four cannot exceed $18,850. But demand for Head Start exceeds the supply, and close to 40 percent of kids are put on waiting lists, Trujillo said.
Unless a child moves away or drops out, these kids are left without services which can negatively affect them once they start school, said Trujillo.
“The brain is developing the first five years, so we have to make sure we intervene in that time,” she said.
Cindy Guajardo, site coordinator at Mi Escuelita Preschool in San Juan Bautista, a state-funded preschool, echoes the sentiments and says kids who bypass preschools often struggle in school because they are not used to the regimen of the school day.
“This is the age when kids can grasp a lot, learn a lot and apply it, so if they have a little bit of a head start, it sets the tone for future academic success,” she said.
Although the eligibility requirements at state-funded preschools are higher – up to $49,000 for a family of four – the families don’t always have time to spend with their kids because they are busy working. Unlike parents who make more money, those eligible for Head Start or state-funded programs are more likely to be balancing two jobs and not have time to read to their kids, sing songs and do other activities to foster their development, said Guajardo.
In fact, parents who earn over $60,000 are more than 50 percent more likely to enroll their kids in preschool because they have more options, the report found.
The report is the culmination of a 40-year study that tracked children from low-income families from Michigan to see if they would finish school and what they would accomplish upon graduation. It is available online at www.fightcrime.org.
Karina Ioffee covers education and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach her at (831)637-5566 ext. 335 or
ki*****@fr***********.com
