The Wyoming Joint Appropriations Committee (JAC) voted on Tuesday to deny a supplemental funding request of $11.7 million for the state’s child development centers, aligning with Governor Mark Gordon’s earlier recommendation, Wyoming News Now reports.
The decision, passed by a narrow 7-5 vote, has sparked concerns about the financial sustainability of these centers, which serve developmentally delayed and disabled children from birth to age five.
Child development centers play a crucial role in early intervention, preparing children for transition into K-12 special education programs. Despite a record $12.2 million allocation to these centers in 2024 — the largest state appropriation in over a decade — many stakeholders argue it remains insufficient. Some centers reportedly face the risk of closure, raising fears of potential legal challenges against the state for failing to adequately fund the programs.
The supplemental funding request primarily sought to address a shortfall created by Senate File 19, a bill passed last year that raised the per-child reimbursement rate for these services to $504. While the bill appropriated $16.3 million, a budget footnote in the 2025-26 biennium capped funding at $12.2 million, effectively overriding the bill’s intent. The state’s Attorney General’s Office upheld the budgetary cap, leaving a funding gap that prompted the supplemental request.
Wyoming Department of Health Director Stefan Johansson explained that $8 million of the supplemental request was intended to fully implement the higher per-child reimbursement rate. However, an amendment proposed by Sen. Mike Gierau, D-Jackson, to appropriate $4.3 million — roughly half the funding shortfall — failed to pass the committee.
“This request was made to address the gap between the current reimbursement rates and what SF 19 directed,” Johansson said.
He acknowledged the varying financial stability of centers across the state, noting that some are in more precarious positions than others.
The decision has raised concerns about the potential impact on vulnerable children who rely on these services.
“Almost universally, these programs serve extremely vulnerable children,” Johansson stated during the hearing.
Sen. Gierau expressed disappointment following the vote, saying:
“I wish I could have done a better job explaining why funding child development centers is so critical.”
