Including and Expanding Early Head Start in State Early Childhood Systems

The ZERO TO THREE Policy Center hosted two meetings with state teams to discuss ways that Early Head Start (EHS) could be included and expanded in state early childhood systems. The first meeting was held in May 2010 with teams from Florida, Maine, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia. The second meeting was held in April 2011 with teams from Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, and Mississippi.

The goals for both meetings were to:

•    Highlight innovative state models and strategies for including and expanding EHS in state early childhood systems.
•    Assist participating states in moving forward to integrate EHS and their developing early childhood systems so that more infants and toddlers receive high quality services.
•    Develop state action plans for next steps and preliminary ideas for using an on-site technical assistance visit to deal with a specific challenge around inclusion or expansion of EHS in the state’s early childhood system.
•    Promote relationships and continued collaborative work among participants.

Staff representing federal and state agencies and national organizations gave presentations, led discussion, and shared resources during the meetings. Sessions focused on topics such as developing infant-toddler policy priorities; linking EHS with child care and home visiting programs; building early childhood data systems; supporting the EHS model through advocacy campaigns; including EHS in professional development efforts; and leveraging financing. Information and resources shared can help all states reflect on how they can promote high-quality services like Early Head Start for infants and toddlers.

Materials for both meetings can be downloaded below.

May 2010 meeting:
Download the agenda for the May 2010 meeting here.
Download the May 2010 meeting summary, which includes key points, notes, and materials from each session, here.

April 2011 meeting:
Download the agenda for the April 2011 meeting here.
Download the April 2011 meeting summary, which includes key points, notes, and materials from each session, here.

ZERO TO THREE thanks the Birth to Five Policy Alliance for their generous support of these meetings.