The Kansas Legislature adopted a new budget for 2010 before adjourning late last week.  The budget closes a projected $328 million shortfall through spending cuts and revenue adjustments.  State agencies received a 2.75 percent cut, and school districts will see a reduction in their base state aid.  The budget did not decrease the Children's Initiative Fund, which includes money for Kansas Early Head Start (KEHS), Parents As Teachers and the Early Childhood Block Grant.  If the agency reductions had been more severe, KEHS could have been cut by half, eliminating services for as many as 600 children and their families.  Proposed cuts to the Block Grant during the session would have affected over 2400 children and resulted in 51 job losses.  KHSA as a partner in the Kansas Coalition for School Readiness, is pleased that the legislature recognized the importance of continued investments in early learning.  Thanks to everyone who signed petitions, contacted legislators, and helped protect funding for early learning during a very tough budget process.