Building on the Promise: State Initiatives to Expand Access to Early Head Start for Young Children and Their Families

A new joint report by CLASP and ZERO TO THREE - Building on the Promise: State Initiatives to Expand Access to Early Head Start for Young Children and Their Families – examines actions states have taken to build on Early Head Start. CLASP and ZERO TO THREE found 20 states use mostly one of four main approaches:

• Extending the day or year of existing EHS services. 
• Expanding the capacity of existing EHS and Head Start programs to increase the number of children and pregnant women served.
• Providing resources and assistance to child care providers to help them deliver services meeting EHS standards. 
• Supporting partnerships between EHS and center-based and family child care providers to improve the quality of care. 

The paper also discusses opportunities and challenges facing state policymakers and provides recommendations for state leaders interested in promoting better futures for at-risk children through building on Early Head Start.

Downloads:

• Executive Summary
• Full Report
• State Profiles:
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • More states coming soon!

Materials from April 22 Webinar:

• Click here to view a recording of the webinar
• Presentation by Rachel Schumacher (CLASP) and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE)
• Presentation by Mary Weathers, Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
• Presentation by Tom Rendon, Iowa Head Start State Collaboration Office

For more information about the project, contact Rachel Schumacher.