The Kentucky Legislature’s state budget proposal could lead to the shutdown of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library programs around the state.
The latest budget proposal includes a change in the funding formula for the program, which provides age-appropriate books to children under the age of 5 free of charge to families.
Five years ago, leaders of both parties in the Kentucky Senate led an effort to add state funding, matching local partners dollar-for-dollar.
The latest state budget changes the formula, so the state covers 1/3 of the cost of the books instead of 1/2. Advocates with the Kentucky Imagination Library program say as many as 80 percent of programs statewide could shut down within a year if this change goes through.
Advocates say the program has shown a lot of success in improving kindergarten readiness, with children enrolled in the program scoring 13 points higher on kindergarten readiness assessments than children who weren’t enrolled.
The budget bill now is back in the Kentucky House of Representatives, where it will soon go up for a vote for final approval.
