Released on February 14, 2011, President Obama's fiscal year 2012 budget proposal makes children a priority through a variety smart investments in specific areas, including early childhood education and child nutrition. However First Focus analysis of the budget raises serious concern over a number of cuts, such as reductions to juvenile justice programs and a lack of investment to combat growing national issues related to child poverty and homelessness.
In total, the President's spending proposal would result in children receiving a $16.8 billion boost over fiscal year 2010 budget levels, an increase of 6.2%. Despite the President's proposed a cap of $445 billion for non-security discretionary spending, the percentage of federal discretionary money spent on children's programs would increase slightly under the President's request, rising from 19.1% in 2010 to 19.6% in 2012.
Additionally, total mandatory spending on children would increase by $13.69 billion, resulting in a 7.5% boost over 2010 levels. This increase is driven largely by previous initiatives of the President for children, including passage of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act in February 2009, the Affordable Care Act in March 2010, and the Child Nutrition Act in December 2010.
First Focus Fact Sheets about Children in the President's Budget:
- At a Glance: Kids in the President's 2012 Budget
- The Impact of the President's Budget on Child Health
- The Impact of the President's Budget on Child Nutrition
- The Impact of the President's Budget on Income Support Programs
- The Impact of the President's Budget on Children's Housing Programs
- The Impact of the President's Budget on Child Welfare Programs
- The Impact of the President's Budget on Early Childhood Programs
- The Impact of the President's Budget on K-12 Programs
