June 30 2016

Using SIBs to improve preschool education which has remarkable knock-on benefits for society including crime reduction…

Peduto: Preschool Most Important Issue For Reducing Crime

TRIB Live

Pittsburgh needs $20 million annually to meet a goal of enrolling every income-eligible child in high-quality preschool.

Mayor Bill Peduto suggested that the city, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Pennsylvania and local foundations and corporations commit to sharing the costs for 10 years.

“I’m 100 percent behind what you’re doing here,” Peduto told educators and community leaders during a public forum chaired by City Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak of Carrick. “Once you come up with the plan, I will work as the salesman to sell it.”

Peduto described preschool education as the “most important issue to reduce crime in Pittsburgh.”

Other cities have floated “social impact bonds,” money raised from the private sector for services such as preschool that is repaid through government savings realized over time from social programs.