Resources & Publications

• Mar 20, 2013  |  Child Care and Early Education U.S. Head Start by the Numbers 2011 This fact sheet presents Head Start PIR data for all Head Start programs in the country -- including preschool programs, Early Head Start, and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start. Download PDF
• Mar 12, 2013  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - March 2013 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. Read Online
• Feb 24, 2013  |  Stephanie Schmit Comments on Developing Assessments for Kindergarten Entry CLASP comments on the appropriate development of Kindergarten Entry Assesments (KEA), which are the focus of recent Enhanced Assessment Grants. Download PDF
• Feb 19, 2013  |  Christine Johnson-Staub and Stephanie Schmit Putting it Together: Financing Comprehensive Services in Child Care and Early Education This presentation, given at the 2013 AMCHP conference, drew upon CLASP's recently published Putting it Together guide to financing comprehensive services, to discuss ways that states have used a variety of federal funding streams, including the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems funds and Medicaid funds, to finance services including child care health consultants, developmental screening, and preventive health outreach in child care settings. Download File
• Feb 08, 2013  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - February 2013 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. Read Online
• Jan 23, 2013 After the Fiscal Cliff, What's Next for Early Childhood? CLASP's Hannah Matthews, NWLC's Helen Blank, and NAEYC's Adele Robinson discuss the many uncertainties that early childhood programs face as we move toward the next round of fiscal negotiations. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Jan 11, 2013  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - January 2013 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Dec 19, 2012  |  CLASP and ZERO TO THREE Expanding Access to EHS: Illinois Child Care Initiative The Illinois Child Care Collaboration Program promotes collaboration between child care and other early care and education providers, including Early Head Start (EHS), by creating policies to ease blending of funds to extend the day or year of existing services. While no funding is provided through the initiative, participating programs may take advantage of several child care rule exceptions that make it easier to access child care subsidy dollars to extend the day/year of EHS services. Download PDF
• Dec 19, 2012  |  CLASP and ZERO TO THREE Expanding Access to EHS: Illinois Prevention Initiative The Illinois Prevention Initiative provides grants to home-based and center-based programs to expand access to the Early Head Start (EHS) model as well as other birth to 3 models. The goal is to serve additional children birth to age 3 and help grantees increase program quality. The initiative to expand access to EHS and other models was established by the Illinois State Board of Education in 2007, as recommended by the Illinois Early Learning Council. Download PDF
• Dec 19, 2012  |  CLASP and ZERO TO THREE Expanding Access to EHS: Kansas Initiative Kansas Early Head Start (KEHS) provides comprehensive services following federal Head Start Program Performance Standards for pregnant women and eligible families with children from birth to age 4. KEHS was implemented in 1998 using Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) quality set-aside dollars augmented by a transfer of federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. The initiative was designed to improve the availability and quality of child care for infants and toddlers in Kansas. Download PDF
• Dec 19, 2012  |  CLASP and ZERO TO THREE Expanding Access to EHS: Maine Initiative Maine has two initiatives that build on Early Head Start (EHS). The first initiative, Fund for a Healthy Maine, provides tobacco settlement money to existing Head Start and EHS programs to expand the number of children who receive full-day, full-year services. The second initiative, Supplemental, provides state general revenue funds to all Head Start programs to add additional slots, some of which may be used for EHS. Download PDF
• Dec 19, 2012  |  CLASP and ZERO TO THREE Expanding Access to EHS: Maryland Initiative Since 2000, Maryland has provided state supplemental funds to Head Start and Early Head Start (EHS) programs to improve access. Local EHS programs may use funds, through child care partnerships, to extend the EHS day or year. Download PDF
• Dec 19, 2012  |  CLASP and ZERO TO THREE Expanding Access to EHS: Minnesota Initiative Minnesota provides supplemental state funding to existing federal Head Start and Early Head Start (EHS) grantees to increase their capacity to serve additional infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. The initiative was started in 1997 when the state legislature earmarked $1 million of the general state Head Start supplemental funds for children birth to age 3. Download PDF
• Dec 19, 2012  |  CLASP and ZERO TO THREE Expanding Access to EHS: Missouri Initiative Missouri's Early Head Start/Child Care Partnership Project expands access to Early Head Start (EHS) services for children birth to age 3 by developing partnerships between federal Head Start, EHS contractors, and child care providers. Head Start and EHS contractors that participate in the initiative provide services through community child care providers to both increase the number of children receiving EHS services and improve the overall quality of care. Download PDF
• Dec 19, 2012  |  CLASP and ZERO TO THREE Expanding Access to EHS: Nebraska Initiative Since 1999, Nebraska's Early Head Start Infant/Toddler Quality Initiative has supported Early Head Start (EHS) and community child care partnerships to improve the quality and professionalism of infant and toddler care. EHS programs apply to receive funding to establish partnerships with center-based or home-based child care. Download PDF
• Dec 19, 2012  |  CLASP and ZERO TO THREE Expanding Access to EHS: Oklahoma Initiative The Oklahoma Early Childhood Program uses public and private funds to enhance and expand high quality early care and education opportunities for children birth through age 3. The George Kaiser Family Foundation initiated the pilot in 2006 by matching state general revenue with private donations. Since that time, other private funders and providers have begun to contribute matching funds. Download PDF
• Dec 05, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - December 2012 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Nov 16, 2012  |  Hannah Matthews, Christine Johnson-Staub, and Leanne Barrett Reaching Children Through Comprehensive Services: Exploring Local Partnerships and Federal Funding This presentation, given at the 2012 National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia, looks at opportunities and strategies for using federal funding streams to support the availability of comprehensive services for young children in child care and early education settings. Download PDF
• Nov 14, 2012  |  Stephanie Schmit Early Head Start Participants, Programs, Families and Staff in 2011 This fact sheet reviews the 2011 Program Information Report (PIR) data for the Early Head Start program, which serves children under age 3 and pregnant women. In 2011, Early Head Start continued to provide vital services to a diverse group of low-income children and families. However, only about 4 percent of eligible children receive Early Head Start services. Download PDF
• Nov 14, 2012  |  Stephanie Schmit Head Start Participants, Programs, Families and Staff in 2011 This fact sheet reviews the 2011 Program Information Report (PIR) data for the Head Start preschool program, which serves children ages 3 and 4. In 2011, Head Start continued to provide vital services to a diverse group of low-income children and families. However, only 42 percent of eligible children receive Head Start preschool services. Download PDF
• Nov 13, 2012  |  Christine Johnson-Staub Planning Funding Partnerships: A Worksheet to Help States Get Started in Putting it Together The following worksheet comes from CLASP's "Putting It Together: A Guide to Financing Comprehensive Services in Child Care and Early Education." States and communities embarking on financing partnerships to expand access to comprehensive services can use this worksheet to begin mapping the need, available resources, and potential partnering strategies that will help them move forward. This document may be downloaded, edited, and saved. Download PDF
• Nov 09, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - November 2012 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Nov 01, 2012  |  Hannah Matthews Comments on the Child Care and Development Fund Plan for States/Territories for FFY 2014-2015 CLASP comments on the revisions made to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Preprint in FFY 2012-2013 as well as makes suggestions on how to improve the FFY 2014-2015 Preprint. Download PDF
• Oct 31, 2012  |  Emily Firgens and Hannah Matthews State Child Care Policies for Limited English Proficient Families The most recent set of CCDBG state plans for FFY 2012-2013 offer insight into how states' activities and policies are targeted toward LEP and immigrant families, children, and providers. We provide in this paper summaries of state responses to questions about engaging with LEP families and providers and better serving them through state child care assistance programs. Download PDF
• Oct 09, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - October 2012 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Sep 25, 2012 Audio Conference: Federal Budget Roadmap - Where We're Going and What We Need to Do CLASP's Hannah Matthews alongside representatives from National Women's Law Center (NWLC) and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) discuss the latest on federal developments that will impact child care and early education programs and funding. Read Online   |   Download PDF   |   Additional PDF
• Sep 18, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education Minnesota: R.E.E.T.A.I.N. Bonus Program Minnesota’s Retaining Early Educators Through Attaining Incentives Now (R.E.E.T.A.I.N.) bonus program encourages and rewards well-trained child care professionals who stay in the field by awarding them with a monetary bonus. The R.E.E.T.A.I.N. program recognizes the importance of offering incentives to child care providers as encouragement to stay and advance in the profession. Read Online
• Sep 14, 2012  |  Stephanie Schmit and Jamie Colvard Webinar: State Initiatives to Expand Early Head Start This webinar discusses the content of the new CLASP and ZERO TO THREE report, "Expanding Access to Early Head Start: State Initiatives for Infants and Toddlers at Risk." The webinar highlights how states are using innovative funding, policies, and partnerships, to expand the EHS program and better meet the needs of more low-income children and pregnant women living in their state. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Sep 13, 2012  |  Christine Johnson-Staub and Sessy Nyman Casting a Wide Net to Support Caregivers: A Strategy to Reach the Highest Need Infants and Toddlers This presentation was given at the NARA Licensing Seminar in San Franciso, CA on September 10, 2012. "Casting a Wide Net to Support Caregivers: A Strategy to Reach the Highest Need Infants and Toddlers" discusses the relationship betwee family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) care and existing child care quality initiatives, as well as how home visiting can be used as an FFN quality strategy. Download PDF
• Sep 13, 2012  |  Stephanie Schmit and Jamie Colvard Expanding Access to Early Head Start: State Initiatives for Infants and Toddlers at Risk All babies need good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences to foster their healthy intellectual, social, and emotional development. Unfortunately, far too few young children receive the supports they need to build a strong foundation for future growth. The federal Early Head Start (EHS) program was created in 1994 to address the comprehensive needs of children under age 3 in low-income families and vulnerable low-income pregnant women. Research shows that EHS positively impacts children's cognitive, language, and social-emotional development; family self-sufficiency; and parental support of child development. This report highlights how states are using innovative funding, policies, and partnerships, to expand the critically important EHS program and better meet the needs of more low-income children and pregnant women living in their state. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Sep 10, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - September 2012 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Sep 07, 2012  |  Hannah Matthews At Risk: Early Care and Education Funding and Sequestration Sequestration was created in August 2011 as part of the Budget Control Act of 2011, which ended that year's showdown over raising the federal debt ceiling. Because Congress failed to come up with a deficit reduction plan, the Budget Control Act calls for $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts over the next decade, divided equally between defense and "non-defense discretionary" programs. This fact sheet explains how these cuts will impact federal early care and education funding and what can be done to prevent them. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Aug 14, 2012  |  Christine Johnson-Staub Putting it Together: A Guide to Financing Comprehensive Services in Child Care and Early Education This guide provides state policymakers and advocates with strategies to maximize resources and make policy changes that drive funds, resources, and community partners to child care and early education programs to benefit young children and families. Separate from blending and braiding funding streams at the local or program level, the strategies described in this guide focus on state policy decisions that can facilitate the innovative use of funds, encourage partnerships at the state and local level, and replicate promising models from other states. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Aug 09, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - August 2012 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Aug 01, 2012  |  Hannah Matthews Testimony for the Record on CCDBG Reauthorization: Helping to Meet the Child Care Needs of American Families CLASP submitted testimony for the record after the July 26th hearing on CCDBG reauthorization held by the subcommittee on Children and Families of the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Download PDF
• Jul 25, 2012 How State and Local Advocates Stopped Cutbacks and Achieved Successes CLASP's Hannah Matthews and NWLC's Helen Blank talk with state advocates from California, Illinois, Iowa, New Jersey, and New York about how they stopped child care cuts in their states and achieved successes in this challenging fiscal climate. Read Online   |   Download Audio
• Jul 09, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - July 2012 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Jun 06, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - June 2012 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Jun 04, 2012  |  Christine Johnson-Staub and Stephanie Schmit Home Away From Home: A Toolkit for Planning Home Visitng Partnerships with Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Home visiting and family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) partnerships hold great opportunity to reach more children with family support services during the critical early years. This toolkit provides states with an overview of FFN and home visiting partnerships, a tool to help states explore and establish this type of partnership, and case studies of existing home visiting and FFN partnerships. Download PDF
• May 11, 2012  |  Christine Johnson-Staub Being an Effective Policy Advocate for Children and Families The presentation given to the Southeastern Massachusetts Inter-CHNA (Community Health Network Area) Conference in Plymouth, MA (May 2012) offers keys to effective public advocacy for low-income and at-risk families: identifying clear policy goals, targeting and timing advocacy efforts, and using data and personal stories to make your case. It includes strategies for identifying advocacy priorities, and how to use available data and stories to craft an effective message that will move policy priorities to the top of the list for legislators and other policy makers. Finally, the presentation provides tips for communication, relationship building, and strategy to help participants' advocacy goals succeed. Download PDF
• May 04, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - May 2012 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• May 02, 2012  |  Hannah Matthews and Stephanie Schmit Finding and Using Data to Advocate Effectively for Children and Families This presentation, given at the 2012 National Smart Start Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina, provides a range of data to use to make the case for investing in young children and their families. Download PDF
• May 02, 2012  |  Christine Johnson-Staub and Stephanie Schmit Leveraging Home Visiting to Reach Children in Child Care Settings This presentation, given at the 2012 National Smart Start Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina, provides background information on home visiting, how it links to family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) care, and recommendations for states implementing home visiting programs. Download PDF
• May 02, 2012  |  Christine Johnson-Staub and Hannah Matthews Reaching Children Where They Are: Using Federal Funding to Support Comprehensive Services in Child Care This presentation, given at the 2012 National Smart Start Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina, looks at opportunities and strategies for using federal funding streams to support the availability of comprehensive services for young children in child care and early education settings. Download PDF
• Apr 26, 2012 Quality Rating and Improvement Systems: A Conversation with Center Directors CLASP's Hannah Matthews and NWLC's Karen Schulman discuss how Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) work and how they could work as effectively as possible from the perspective of three child care center directors participating in QRIS. Read Online   |   Download Audio   |   Additional PDF
• Apr 16, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education U.S. Child Care Assistance Profile 2010 This fact sheet presents state reported information on child care spending through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds used for child care. Download PDF
• Apr 05, 2012  |  Hannah Matthews and Emily Firgens Child Care and Development Block Grant Participation in 2010 Based on preliminary data from the Child Care Bureau, this fact sheet provides a snapshot of participation in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program in 2010. CCDBG served a monthly average of 1.7 million children. While 27 states increased the number of children served, 22 states served fewer children in 2010 than in the previous year. This fact sheet reviews data, including the ages of children receiving assistance, the types of child care settings used, and the reasons families receive assistance. Download PDF
• Apr 05, 2012  |  Hannah Matthews and Emily Firgens Infants and Toddlers in CCDBG: 2010 Based on preliminary data from the Child Care Bureau, this fact sheet provides a snapshot of participation of infants and toddlers in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program in 2010. Less than a third of children served in CCDBG are under the age of 3, but the share of children receiving CCDBG who are infants and toddlers varies from state to state. This fact sheet includes state-by-state information on the ages of children served in CCDBG and other information on the participation of infants and toddlers in the program. Download PDF
• Apr 05, 2012  |  Hannah Matthews and Emily Firgens School-Age Children in CCDBG: 2010 Based on preliminary data from the Child Care Bureau, this fact sheet provides a snapshot of participation of school-age children in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program in 2010. About a third of children served in CCDBG are between ages 6 and 13. This fact sheet includes state-by-state information on the ages of children served in CCDBG and other information on the participation of school-age children in the program. Download PDF
• Apr 03, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - April 2012 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Mar 28, 2012  |  Stephanie Schmit and Danielle Ewen Supporting Our Youngest Children: Early Head Start Programs in 2010 This policy brief examines the latest data from the Program Information Reports (PIR) that all Early Head Start (EHS)programs must submit to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 2010, Early Head Start saw its largest increase in enrollment in its history. EHS families continued to access services at a high rate and children continued to be connected to medical and dental services. Challenges continue to exist as teachers' salaries remain stagnant and a smaller percentage of teachers have an associate's degree or higher in 2010 compared to 2009 and 2006. Download PDF
• Mar 02, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - March 2012 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Feb 23, 2012  |  Karen Schulman, Hannah Matthews, Helen Blank and Danielle Ewen A Count for Quality: Child Care Center Directors on Rating and Improvement Systems Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) are designed to give providers incentives and supports to improve quality and parents information about child care quality. With the growth in QRIS, CLASP, together with the National Women's Law Center, interviewed child care providers participating in QRIS in several states. This report provides findings on the key components of QRIS, cross-cutting lessons on QRIS strategies, and recommendations for policymakers from the perspective of child care center directors. Download PDF
• Feb 23, 2012 Post-Budget Update: What to Expect for Early Childhood in 2012 Audio Conference CLASP's Hannah Matthews along with experts from National Women's Law Center (NWLC) and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) discuss the President's FY 2013 budget proposal and the appropriations process for early childhood programs in 2012. Read Online   |   Download Audio   |   Download Additional
• Feb 14, 2012  |  Christine Johnson-Staub and Stephanie Schmit MCH and Early Childhood Settings: Reaching Children Where They Are to Provide Comprehensive Services This presentation, given at the Association of Maternal and Child Health Program's 2012 Annual Conference in Washington, DC looks at opportunities and strategies for using federal funding streams, including Maternal and Child Health funding, to support the availability of comprehensive services for young children in child care and early education settings. Download PDF
• Feb 09, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - February 2012 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Feb 09, 2012  |  Christine Johnson-Staub Promote Access to Early, Regular and Comprehensive Screening Very young children develop in the context of their physical and mental health and the capacity of their families and other caregivers to address the full range of early childhood development. All babies and toddlers in child care need parents, providers, and caregivers supported by and linked to community resources. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that early, regular and comprehensive health, mental health, and developmental screenings and related services are made available at recommended ages for vulnerable infants and toddlers through connections with all infant and toddler providers and caregivers. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to promote access to early, regular, and comprehensive screening. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Feb 06, 2012  |  Hannah Matthews Challenges and Opportunities: Child Care and Early Education in Difficult Times Child poverty is growing. Families continue to struggle in a difficult economy. Despite broad recognition of the importance of the earliest years, debates at the federal level focus on reducing spending rather than addressing the needs of children and families. These daunting challenges make the need for comprehensive birth to five services even more critical and must be a call to action for those who work on behalf of the most vulnerable children. This presentation was given at the Region IV Head Start Annual Conference. Download PDF
• Feb 03, 2012  |  Stephanie Schmit and Danielle Ewen Putting Children and Families First: Head Start Programs in 2010 This policy brief examines the latest data from the Program Information Reports (PIR) that all Head Start programs must submit to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 2010, Head Start served more participants than the previous year. PIR data show that Head Start is continuing to provide critical services for poor children and their families. Families continued to seek Head Start services at a high rate and nearly all children had health insurance at the end of the program year. Challenges still exist as teachers' salaries remain stagnant and the percent of teachers with degrees decreased slightly from 2009 to 2010. Download PDF
• Jan 18, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education A Tool Using Data to Inform a State Early Childhood Agenda This tool is intended for state advocates and policymakers to use as they work to develop a state early childhood agenda. It includes a series of key questions to understand the context and conditions of young children, birth to six, in the state. Where possible, we also include infant/toddler specific questions. Questions include data on demographics and program participation (such as health and nutrition programs), as well as the details of child care and early education settings in the state. Users can download and save a copy of this tool, fill in their state’s data, and compare to national data points (which are provided where appropriate). Read Online   |   Download File
• Jan 10, 2012  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - January 2012 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Jan 03, 2012  |  Christine Johnson-Staub CLASP Encourages Reversal of Medicare Ruling on Developmental Screening These comments were submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services in response to a final rule that removes developmental screenings from the Medicare fee schedule. CLASP urges the ruling be reversed and that developmental screenings not be removed from the Medicare fee schedule. Many states align Medicare, Medicaid and private pay fee policies, and removal of developmental screening from the fee schedule may result in the same critical service not being covered under state Medicaid policies. Download PDF
• Dec 20, 2011 Early Childhood Updates: Funding and Reauthorization Prospects Audio Conference CLASP's Hannah Matthews alongside representatives from National Women's Law Center (NWLC), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the First Five Years Fund discuss funding for early childhood programs in 2012-2013 as well as reauthorization of CCDBG and ESEA. Read Online   |   Download Audio   |   Additional PDF
• Dec 09, 2011  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - December 2011 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Dec 05, 2011  |  Stephanie Schmit Early Head Start Participants, Programs, Families, and Staff in 2010 This fact sheet reviews the 2010 Program Information Reports (PIR) data for the Early Head Start program, which serves children under age 3 and pregnant women. In 2010, Early Head Start continued to provide vital services to a diverse group of low-income children and families. However, less than 4 percent of eligible children receive Early Head Start services. Download PDF
• Dec 05, 2011  |  Stephanie Schmit Head Start Participants, Programs, Families, and Staff in 2010 This fact sheet reviews the 2010 Program Information Reports (PIR) data for the Head Start preschool program, which serves children ages 3 and 4. In 2010, Head Start continued to provide vital services to a diverse group of low-income children and families. However, less than half of eligible children receive Head Start preschool services. Download PDF
• Dec 02, 2011  |  Child Care and Early Education Louisiana: Mental Health Consultation (MHC) Program Mental health consultations can help to equip child care providers who serve infants and toddlers with the tools and training needed to implement developmentally appropriate practices that foster healthy child development and support children with special needs. In July 2007, Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) contracted with the Tulane Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health to launch a Mental Health Consultation (MHC) program for child care centers. Read Online
• Dec 02, 2011  |  Child Care and Early Education Louisiana: Quality Start Child Care Rating System Louisiana Quality Start Child Care Rating System is a voluntary quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) for all licensed child care in Louisiana, which includes child care centers, Head Start and Early Head Start programs. design and implementation was a major focus of the state’s early childhood initiative, BrightStart, which in 2009 was designated as the state’s early childhood advisory council. With funding from the Child Care and Development Block Grant, Quality Start was implemented statewide in 2007. Read Online
• Dec 02, 2011  |  Child Care and Early Education Pennsylvania: Keystone Babies The Keystone Babies program was created to expand access to high-quality early learning settings for vulnerable infants and toddlers in Pennsylvania. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the voluntary program offers financial support to center-based providers to create additional slots for low-income infants and toddlers in the state’s child care assistance program, Child Care Works (CCW). Read Online
• Dec 01, 2011  |  Child Care and Early Education Massachusetts: Family Child Care System Contracts Family child care (FCC) is a common type of child care for children under the age of three. The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) contracts with FCC systems to ensure a stable level of access to high-quality family child care throughout the state. Any FCC system in Massachusetts that agrees to provide EEC subsidized early education and care services through its affiliated providers must hold a contract with EEC. FCC systems are significant sources of assistance and support for FCC providers in the state, particularly for those who serve subsidized children. In 2009, more than a quarter (28 percent) of subsidized children in Massachusetts were infants and toddlers, and more than a quarter of subsidized children (28 percent) were cared for in family child care or group child care homes. Read Online
• Nov 17, 2011  |  Danielle Ewen and Hannah Matthews Caring for Babies: How State Child Care Policies Can Support Continuity Quality, stable child care arrangements support the healthy development of infants and toddlers. This presentation from the 2011 NAEYC Annual Conference in Orlando, FL describes how state subsidy policies can support retention of child care subsidies and continuous care for infants and toddlers. Download PDF
• Nov 17, 2011  |  Hannah Matthews Integrating Systems: Improving Access to Better Serve Families Families seeking assistance often face multiple, complex needs and that require the services of more than one program. Integrated service systems help to provide a more family-centered, seamless service delivery system, a system that offers a broad continuum of services and tailors these services to the strengths and needs of individual families. This presentation given at the 2011 State and Territory Administrators and the Child Care Policy Research Consortium Joint Meeting in Bethesda, MD looks at how to create an integrated system and the challenges and opportunities of doing so. Download PDF
• Nov 07, 2011  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - November 2011 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide techincal assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Oct 20, 2011  |  Danielle Ewen What's Missing in Child Care and Early Education in America Millions of families rely on some aspect of America's publicly funded programs for their children as they go to work. Most are looking for a high-quality setting in which their children can learn. Yet, current situations fail too many families. This event, hosted by the New America, examined policy solutions to improve child care and early education. CLASP's Danielle Ewen was a presenter at the event. Read Online
• Oct 06, 2011  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - October 2011 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Oct 05, 2011  |  Christine Johnson-Staub Arkansas: Developmental Screening Partnership Children develop along a continuum, with milestones reached at ages that vary within an accepted timeframe. Development that does not happen within the expected timeframe can raise concerns about developmental disorders, health conditions, or other factors contributing negatively to the child’s development. Child care providers are often early witnesses to the signs of developmental problems with the children in their care, but they may not have the capacity or training to identify a problem, discuss concerns with families, and guide families in seeking related services. Read Online
• Oct 05, 2011  |  Hannah Matthews Meeting the Early Learning Challenge: Supporting English Language Learners CLASP's "Meeting the Early Learning Challenge" series provides information and policy options for states as they develop their applications for the Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge. Download PDF
• Oct 03, 2011  |  Christine Johnson-Staub Meeting the Early Learning Challenge: A Checklist for a High Quality QRIS CLASP's "Meeting the Early Learning Challenge" series provides information and policy options for states as they develop their applications for the Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Sep 23, 2011  |  Christine Johnson-Staub Rhode Island: Watch Me Grow Child care providers are often early witnesses to the signs of developmental problems that may impact children in their care, but they often lack the capacity or training to identify a problem, discuss concerns with families, and guide families in seeking related services. In Rhode Island, early childhood stakeholders have created and funded a collaborative initiative that helps build that capacity, and better serve children in participating child care programs. Read Online
• Sep 19, 2011  |  Hannah Matthews and Danielle Ewen Meeting the Early Learning Challenge: Better Child Care Subsidy Policies CLASP's "Meeting the Early Learning Challenge" series provides information and policy options for states as they develop their applications for the Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Sep 15, 2011  |  Christine Johnson-Staub The Relationship Between Licensing and QRIS: Challenges and Opportunities More than half of states currently have child care Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) up and running, and more are under development. As states develop these promising systems, they are grappling with several questions around the relationship between child care licensing and the QRIS rating levels, including: defining program eligibility for QRIS participation, setting standards that align with licensing, deciding how licensing fits into QRIS levels, defining the role of licensing staff in rating and monitoring, and developing strategies for supporting programs through technical assistance. This presentation, given at the 2011 NARA Licensing Seminar in Pittsburg, Penn., draws from current state QRIS practices, as well as research conducted by CLASP and NWLC on child care providers' experiences with QRIS across the country. Download PDF
• Aug 25, 2011  |  Child Care and Early Education Children from Low-Income Families, by Age CLASP analysis of NCCP and ACS data regarding young children below 200 percent of the poverty level, by age and state. Download PDF
• Aug 25, 2011  |  Child Care and Early Education Head Start and Early Head Start Funded Enrollment Data, 2007-2010 This chart shows funded enrollment data from 2007-2010 gathered from the annual Head Start PIR. Download PDF
• Aug 25, 2011  |  Child Care and Early Education Head Start and Early Head Start Participation by Age, 2007-2010 A CLASP analysis of annual Head Start PIR data from years 2007-2010. The data outlines participation in Head Start and Early Head Start by age from 2007-2010. Download PDF
• Jul 12, 2011  |  CLASP AND OTHER NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge Comments on Selection Criteria CLASP wrote and submitted comments with other national organizations to the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services on the draft Early Learning Challenge proposal. Download PDF
• Jul 11, 2011  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - July 2011 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Jul 05, 2011 CLASP Comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on SNAP Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions These comments, submitted to the US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), were in response to a request for public comment on SNAP Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions. CLASP's recommendations are intended to help FNS implement provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (FCEA) of 2008, Pub. L. 110-246. The recommendations focused on four main areas: the dependent care deduction, access to benefits, transitional benefits, and employment and training services. Download PDF
• Jun 14, 2011  |  Teresa Lim and Hannah Matthews Expand Monitoring and Technical Assistance To protect and promote the growth and development of very young children, providers and caregivers need to demonstrate constant vigilance over signs of potential harm and maintain clean, nurturing spaces. All babies and toddlers in child care need healthy and safe environments in which to explore and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states conduct routine monitoring of infant and toddler child care in centers and family child care settings at least twice a year, provide technical assistance to help providers with licensing compliance, and use information on provider compliance to inform parents and ensure ongoing improvements in monitoring systems and child care quality. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Jun 06, 2011  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - June 2011 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Jun 03, 2011  |  CLASP and other national organizations Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Comments to Administration These comments were sent to the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services as recommendations for designing the Early Learning Challenge. Download PDF
• Jun 02, 2011  |  Elizabeth Hoffmann & Danielle Ewen What State Leaders Should Know About Early Head Start Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally-funded, community-based program that provides comprehensive child and family development services to low-income pregnant women and families with children under the age of 3. This paper reviews 11 key aspects of how the EHS program works and includes considerations for state leaders. The paper is meant to serve as an introduction to the program for state policymakers, not to provide official guidance or interpretation of the laws and regulations governing EHS. Download PDF
• Jun 01, 2011  |  Christine Johnson-Staub Leveraging Existing Fundings Sources to Support EHS-like Services This presentation, given at the April 2011 Zero To Three state action team meeting in Portland, Oregon, describes opportunities and considerations for states that are exploring using a variety of federal funding streams to finance comprehensive services for infants and toddlers. Download PDF
• May 11, 2011  |  Danielle Ewen and Stephanie Schmit Extending Home Visiting Programs to Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers and Family Child Care Providers This presentation from the 2011 National Smart Start Conference provides information on two national CLASP research-based models and highlights current models for providing home visits with family child care providers and family, friend, and neighbor caregivers. Download PDF
• May 10, 2011  |  Hannah Matthews Young Children of Immigrants and The Changing Landscape for Early Education This presentation from the 2011 National Smart Start Conference describes how state child care and early education policies can better address the needs of children of immigrants and their families. Download PDF
• May 06, 2011  |  Hannah Matthews and Christine Johnson-Staub Caring for Babies: How State Subsidy Policies Can Support Continuity This presentation from the 2011 National Smart Start Conference describes how state subsidy policies can support retention of child care subsidies and continuous care for infants and toddlers. Download PDF
• May 03, 2011  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - May 2011 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Apr 05, 2011  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - April 2011 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Mar 30, 2011  |  Stephanie Schmit Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program: February 2011 SIR Analysis The latest Evidence-Based Home Visiting Supplemental Information Request (SIR) has recently been released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with collaboration from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). This information request provides states guidance in preparing their updated plans for their home visiting programs. The new information request strengthens the earlier guidance in important ways. Download PDF
• Mar 15, 2011  |  Hannah Matthews Financing a Birth to Five Program: The Appleton Area School District Model Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, also known as No Child Left Behind or NCLB) funds long have been used to provide preschool services for at-risk children. This paper focuses on the Appleton Area School District (AASD) in Appleton, Wisconsin and their efforts to use Title I funds to finance a comprehensive birth-five program. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Mar 09, 2011  |  Hannah Matthews Child Care Assistance in 2009: Spending Update This analysis details state child care expenditures from the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant programs. We find that spending on child care assistance decreased slightly in 2009. Thirty-three states increased overall spending, while 18 states made cuts. Without ARRA funds, more states would have made greater cuts. The number of children receiving assistance, however, remains far lower than the number of children eligible for assistance. Download PDF
• Feb 28, 2011  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - March 2011 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Feb 23, 2011  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Childhood Funding: the President's FY2012 Budget and Wrapping Up FY2011 Appropriations This February 17th conference call provided information on early childhood funding for FY2011 and FY2012. Speakers include: Helen Blank, National Women's Law Center; Danielle Ewen, CLASP; Adele Robinson, NAEYC; and Harriet Dichter, First Five Years Fund. Download Audio
• Feb 17, 2011  |  CLASP Two Years Later: Impacts of Select ARRA Programs for Low-Income Workers & Families This document looks at select provisions in the Recovery Act that affected low-income people and their families. In areas where there is available data, it notes the impact of the program on the number of people who benefited from ARRA provisions. While the effect of the Recovery Act will be debated and analyzed by policy experts and researchers for years to come, some of the early evidence makes it clear that the Recovery Act benefited the nation by easing some immediate effects of the recession and preventing deeper hardship. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Feb 03, 2011  |  Hannah Matthews and Teresa Lim Child Care and Development Block Grant Participation in 2009 Based on preliminary data from the Child Care Bureau, this fact sheet provides a snapshot of participation in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program in 2009. CCDBG served a monthly average of 1.63 million children. While 24 states increased the number of children served, 23 states served fewer children in 2009 than in the previous year. This fact sheet reviews data, including the ages of children receiving assistance, the types of child care settings used, and the reasons families receive assistance. Download PDF
• Feb 03, 2011  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - February 2011 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Feb 03, 2011  |  Hannah Matthews and Teresa Lim Infants and Toddlers in CCDBG: 2009 Based on preliminary data from the Child Care Bureau, this fact sheet provides a snapshot of participation of infants and toddlers in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program in 2009. Fewer than a third of children served in CCDBG are under the age of 3, but the share of children receiving CCDBG who are infants and toddlers varies from state to state. This fact sheet includes state-by-state information on the ages of children served in CCDBG and other information on the participation of infants and toddlers in the program. Download PDF
• Feb 03, 2011  |  Hannah Matthews and Teresa Lim School-Age Children in CCDBG: 2009 Based on preliminary data from the Child Care Bureau, this fact sheet provides a snapshot of participation of school-age children in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program in 2009. About a third of children served in CCDBG are between ages 6 and 13. This fact sheet includes state-by-state information on the ages of children served in CCDBG and other information on the participation of school-age children in the program. Download PDF
• Jan 25, 2011  |  Hannah Matthews Federal and State Budgets: Implications for Funding Early Childhood Programs This presentation was presented at the National Head Start Association (NHSA) Leadership Institute. It provides an overview of the federal budget process for FY 2011 and 2012 and the political and economic context that may impact funding for early childhood programs. Download PDF
• Jan 20, 2011  |  Child Care and Early Education Building Comprehensive State Systems for Vulnerable Babies CLASP has developed this resource to help state leaders strategize how to create or improve early childhood systems to meet the needs of vulnerable babies and toddlers, their families, and pregnant women. Every state has the pieces of a comprehensive early childhood system in place. This tool will help state leaders locate and build them into a system that meets the needs of children and families. Download PDF
• Jan 20, 2011  |  Child Care and Early Education Making the Case for Child Care and Head Start Investments State-specific information on child care and Head Start funding, children served in these programs, child poverty rates, and more to make the case for investments in the Child Care and Development Block Grant and Head Start Read Online
• Jan 13, 2011  |  Danielle Ewen What is Next for Early Childhood in the 112th Congress On this national conference call, CLASP director for Child Care and Early Education, Danielle Ewen, discusses with other leading advocates early education initiatives in the 111th Congress, and upcoming items and strategies for the 112th Congress. Read Online   |   Download Audio
• Jan 07, 2011  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - January 2011 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Jan 06, 2011  |  Hannah Matthews U.S. Child Care Assistance Profile 2009 This fact sheet presents state reported information on child care spending through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds used for child care. Download PDF
• Dec 20, 2010  |  Danielle Ewen Comments on Notice of Proposed Rule Making on Head Start Designation Renewal System CLASP submitted comments on the proposed regulations to implement the statutory provisions of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 published September 22, 2010, at 75 Fed. Reg. 57704. Download PDF
• Dec 09, 2010  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - December 2010 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Nov 15, 2010  |  Child Care and Early Education U.S. Head Start by the Numbers 2009 This fact sheet presents Head Start PIR data for all Head Start programs in the nation -- including preschool programs, Early Head Start, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, and American Indian/Alaskan Native Head Start. Download PDF
• Nov 10, 2010  |  Danielle Ewen and Hannah Matthews Finding and Using Data to Advocate Effectively for Children and Families This presentation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 2010 annual conference provides a range of data to use to make the case for investments in young children and their families. Download PDF
• Nov 04, 2010  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - November 2010 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Oct 27, 2010  |  Danielle Ewen and Hannah Matthews Adopting 12-Month Subsidy Eligibility: Impacts on Children, Families, and State Child Care Programs Under federal regulations, states have a great deal of flexibility in setting child care assistance policies. Adopting 12-month subsidy eligibility, with limited interim reporting requirements, is one strategy states can implement to promote sustained access to subsidies and continuous care arrangements for children. This paper lays out the associated impacts of adopting an annual redetermination policy on children, parents, and state subsidy systems. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Oct 06, 2010  |  Danielle Ewen and Helen Blank Audio Conference: Congress is Wrapping Up: Get the Scoop on Early Childhood In this audio conference, Helen Blank from the National Women's Law Center (NWLC) and Danielle Ewen at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) provide a summary of the 111th Congress as well as what's on the horizon for the lame duck session and the 112th Congress. They discuss the status of appropriations bills, the Early Learning Challenge Fund, Child Nutrition, TANF, CCDBG and other important pieces of legislation. Download Audio   |   Additional PDF
• Oct 05, 2010  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - October 2010 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Oct 01, 2010  |  Danielle Ewen Many Missing Pieces: A Frank Discussion About Early Childhood Data and State Longitudinal Data Systems On Oct. 1, 2010, Danielle Ewen spoke at the New American Foundation's panel, Many Missing Pieces: A Frank Discussion About Early Childhood Data and State Longitudinal Data Systems. Ms. Ewen discussed issues surrounding the expansion of education data systems that span a child's educational experience from early childhood up through higher education and the start of their careers. Watch the video. Read Online
• Sep 23, 2010  |  Hannah Matthews Child Care Assistance in 2008 This analysis details state child care expenditures from the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant programs. We find that spending on child care assistance decreased slightly in 2008. Thirty states increased overall child care spending, while 21 states made cuts. The number of children receiving assistance, however, remains far lower than the number of children eligible for assistance. Download PDF
• Sep 09, 2010  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - September 2010 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Aug 31, 2010  |  Hannah Matthews and Danielle Ewen Early Education Programs and Children of Immigrants: Learning Each Other's Language This paper was written for the Urban Institute's roundtable on Young Children in Immigrant Families and the Path to Educational Success. It discusses the federal and policy landscape for serving young children of immigrants in early care and education and includes policy recommendations for improving access for immigrant families. Read Online
• Aug 31, 2010  |  Hannah Matthews U.S. Child Care Assistance Profile 2008 This fact sheet presents state reported information on child care spending through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds used for child care, and information on children and families participating in CCDBG. Download PDF
• Aug 19, 2010  |  Child Care and Early Education A Guide to State Policy Examples from the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care Project This matrix provides a current list of states for which CLASP has posted policy examples for the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Download PDF
• Aug 19, 2010  |  Child Care and Early Education Indiana: Paths to QUALITY Infant/Toddler Specific Standards The Indiana quality rating and improvement system (QRIS), Paths to QUALITY, is a statewide voluntary system that includes infant and toddler standards and is designed for licensed child care centers, licensed family child care homes, and unlicensed registered faith-based organizations. Statewide rollout of Paths to QUALITY began in January 2008 and was completed in January 2009. A study conducted by Purdue University is currently underway to assess the impact of the QRIS. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Aug 18, 2010  |  Rutledge Q. Hutson & Tiffany Conway Perrin Comments on Proposed Criteria for Evidence of Effectiveness of Home Visiting Program Models These comments, submitted to the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Administration for Children and Families, were submitted in response to the proposed criteria for evidence of effectiveness of home visiting program models to be implemented by states under the new home visiting program established in the Affordable Care Act. CLASP's comments include recommendations for strengthening the final criteria so that they better reflect the law's goal of helping states build the capacity to implement a coordinated system of early childhood home visitation. The recommendations also encourage strengthening the final criteria by providing much needed information, particularly as related to process, so that states are well-prepared to update their state plans and dialogue with HRSA/ACF as appropriate. Download PDF
• Aug 13, 2010  |  Danielle Ewen Using Title I to Expand Opportunities for High-Quality Early Childhood Programs This presentation discusses how Title I of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) funds can be used to expand opportunities for high-quality early childhood programs. The presentation was featured at the conference, Early Childhood 2010: Innovation for the Next Generation, on August 4, 2010. Download PDF
• Aug 05, 2010  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - August 2010 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Jul 30, 2010  |  Elizabeth Hoffmann Early Head Start Participants, Programs, Families, and Staff in 2009 This fact sheet reviews the 2009 Program Information Reports (PIR) data for the Early Head Start program, which serves children under age 3 and pregnant women. In 2009, Early Head Start continued to provide vital services to a diverse group of low-income children and families. However, less than 3 percent of eligible children receive Early Head Start services. Download PDF
• Jul 30, 2010  |  Elizabeth Hoffmann Head Start Participants, Programs, Families, and Staff in 2009 This fact sheet reviews the 2009 Program Information Reports (PIR) data for the Head Start preschool program, which serves children ages 3 and 4. In 2009, Head Start continued to provide vital services to a diverse group of low-income children and families. However, less than half of eligible children receive Head Start preschool services. Download PDF
• Jul 06, 2010  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - July 2010 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Jun 08, 2010  |  Child Care & Early Education Early Childhood Education Update - June 2010 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Jun 07, 2010  |  Rachel Schumacher Bringing the Comprehensive EHS Model to All Vulnerable Babies and their Families This presentation provides information about how to bring the comprehensive Early Head Start (EHS) model to all vulnerable babies and their families, including key facts for planning policies for vulnerable babies, how EHS addresses critical needs, and a framework for thinking creatively about expanding access to EHS-like services in states and communities. Download PDF
• Jun 07, 2010  |  Rachel Schumacher Happy to be Stuck with You: Why Continuity of Care is So Important to Babies and Toddlers This presentation describes what babies and toddlers in child care need, what continuity of care looks like, and state policies that impact continuity of care. Download PDF
• May 26, 2010  |  Karen Garbarino (Vermont Department for Children and Families) Children's Integrated Services: Vermont's Initiative for Improved Service Delivery and Outcomes This presentation was delivered at a meeting held by ZERO TO THREE and CLASP entitled, "Including and Expanding Early Head Start in State Early Childhood Systems." This meeting worked with state-level policymakers looking to create more comprehensive services for infants, toddlers, and their families. Download PDF
• May 26, 2010  |  Elizabeth Hoffmann Early Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) Data Available through CLASP's DataFinder This document explains CLASP's DataFinder tool and lists the Early Head Start state data available through this tool. Download PDF
• May 26, 2010  |  Rachel Schumacher Leveraging Existing Funding Sources to Support Early Head Start and EHS-like Services This presentation was delivered at a meeting held by ZERO TO THREE and CLASP entitled, "Including and Expanding Early Head Start in State Early Childhood Systems." This meeting worked with state-level policymakers looking to create more comprehensive services for infants, toddlers, and their families. Download PDF
• May 25, 2010  |  Fran Majestic, Barbara Gebhard, Rachel Schumacher, and Sue Mitchell Applying the EHS Approach to Services and Systems for Infants and Toddlers This presentation was delivered at a meeting held by ZERO TO THREE and CLASP entitled, "Including and Expanding Early Head Start in State Early Childhood Systems." This meeting worked with state-level policymakers looking to create more comprehensive services for infants, toddlers, and their families. Session speakers: Fran Majestic, Office of Head Start; Barbara Gebhard, ZERO TO THREE; Rachel Schumacher, CLASP; and Sue Mitchell, Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning. Download PDF
• May 25, 2010  |  Child Care and Early Education Federal Funding Streams "Cheat Sheet" This document lists common acronyms and funding sources of federal programs for young children. Download PDF
• May 25, 2010  |  Debbie Rappaport (ZERO TO THREE) and Wade Fickler (Children's Institute, Oregon) Supporting EHS Through Communications and Framing This presentation was delivered at a meeting held by ZERO TO THREE and CLASP entitled, "Including and Expanding Early Head Start in State Early Childhood Systems." This meeting worked with state-level policymakers looking to create more comprehensive services for infants, toddlers, and their families. Download PDF
• May 18, 2010  |  CLASP and the National Women's Law Center Audio Conference: Using ARRA Funds for State Infant/Toddler Initiatives Join CLASP and the National Women's Law Center on May 18 for a call to find out the latest on how states are using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to improve the quality of care for infants and toddlers. Read Online
• May 05, 2010  |  Teresa Lim Early Childhood Education Update - May 2010 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Apr 19, 2010  |  Elizabeth Hoffmann Extending Home Visiting to FFN and FCC - Webinar Slides CLASP hosted a webinar to share findings regarding how major national models of home visiting are including family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers and family child care providers (FCC). Elizabeth Hoffmann presented findings from CLASP's interview project with national models and other stakeholders, such as detailed considerations for implementing home visiting with FFN and FCC, including matters of curricula, staffing, and service referral. The webinar also reviewed opportunities that result from serving FFN and FCC, concluding with recommendations for states. This webinar was made possible by generous support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Download PDF
• Apr 19, 2010  |  Elizabeth Hoffmann Extending Home Visiting to FFN and FCC - Webinar Transcript and Audio CLASP hosted a webinar to share findings regarding how major national models of home visiting are including family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers and family child care providers (FCC). Elizabeth Hoffmann presented findings from CLASP's interview project with national models and other stakeholders, such as detailed considerations for implementing home visiting with FFN and FCC, including matters of curricula, staffing, and service referral. The webinar also reviewed opportunities that result from serving FFN and FCC, concluding with recommendations for states. This webinar was made possible by generous support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Download PDF   |   Download Audio
• Apr 09, 2010  |  Teresa Lim Early Childhood Education Update - April 2010 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Apr 08, 2010  |  Rachel Schumacher Promote Health and Safety As they develop from birth to age 3, young children rely on the adults who care from them to keep them clean, dry, fed, and safe from harm. All babies and toddlers in child care need healthy and safe environments in which to explore and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states ensure that state licensing rules require practices and training that protect the safety of infants and toddlers―by addressing physical environments, safe sleep practices, bathing, and accident prevention―and promote infant/toddler health and well-being (including areas such as hand-washing, holding, feeding, comforting, diapering, and providing responsive caregiving); make certain that all infant and toddler providers and caregivers have access to the training and technical assistance needed to care for this age group; and require training prior to child care subsidy receipt. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Mar 31, 2010  |  Tiffany Conway Perrin Detailed Summary of Home Visitation Program in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act included, among other critical provisions, $1.5 billion in mandatory funding over 5 years for high quality, evidence-based, voluntary early childhood home visitation services. This investment will significantly expand home visitation services, helping to ensure that more children have the opportunity to grow up healthy, safe, ready to learn and able to become productive members of society. This summary details the provisions of the new program. Download PDF
• Mar 23, 2010  |  Elizabeth Hoffmann Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care: A Framework for Addressing the Needs of Infants and Toddlers in Child Care (Presentation) This presentation on CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project was given at the Illinois Action for Children conference. Download PDF
• Mar 17, 2010  |  Child Care and Early Education Tennessee: The Strengthening Families Initiative Tennessee Strengthening Families is an initiative overseen by the Tennessee Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) in the state’s child welfare agency. CTF partners with the state’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to promote and integrate the Strengthening Families framework into state systems. This framework, developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy, aims to prevent child abuse and neglect by building five protective factors around young children and working with their families. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Mar 15, 2010  |  Elizabeth Hoffmann A Tool Using Data to Inform a State Infant/Toddler Care Agenda This tool is intended for state advocates and policymakers to use as they work to develop a state infant/toddler care agenda. It includes a series of key questions to understand the context and conditions of infants and toddlers in the state. Questions include data on demographics and program participation (such as health and nutrition programs), as well as the details of child care and early education settings in the state. Users can download and save a copy of this tool, fill in their state’s data, and compare to national data points (which are provided where appropriate). Read Online   |   Download File
• Mar 10, 2010  |  Teresa Lim Early Childhood Education Update - March 2010 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Feb 22, 2010  |  Hannah Matthews Immigrant Families and Child Care Subsidies: What Federal Law and Guidance Says One in four young children in the United States lives in an immigrant family. Federal law establishes policies on immigrant eligibility for child care assistance, yet questions regarding eligibility remain at the state and local level. Most child care assistance is funded through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, which have differing rules regarding immigrant eligibility. This fact sheet lays out rules and guidance related to immigrant eligibility for child care subsidies through both funding streams. Download PDF
• Feb 04, 2010  |  Teresa Lim Early Childhood Education Update: February 2010 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Feb 03, 2010  |  Danielle Ewen and Helen Blank The President's Budget Proposal: Opportunities and Challenges for Early Childhood Programs In this audioconference, Danielle Ewen and Helen Blank discuss the president's FY 2011 budget proposal and implications for funding of state and local early childhood programs. Download Audio   |   Additional PDF
• Feb 02, 2010  |  Hannah Matthews Addressing the Needs of Children of Immigrants: Opportunities for State Policy and Early Childhood Advocates This presentation reviews key findings from CLASP's research on the challenges immigrant families face in accessing child care and early education and presents strategies and policy recommendations for addressing these challenges. Download PDF
• Feb 01, 2010  |  Hannah Matthews and Danielle Ewen Administration Reverses a Decade of Indifference The President's FY 2011 budget proposal provides resources for expanding quality child care and early education opportunities for children and families. Read Online
• Jan 29, 2010  |  Danielle Ewen Testimony of Danielle Ewen for U.S. Department of Education ESEA Listening Tour Danielle Ewen's testimony lays out principles to consider for early childhood issues in the upcoming reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and CLASP's recommendations for changes to the law. Download PDF
• Jan 25, 2010  |  CLASP Federal Policy Recommendations for 2010 Our nation faces many domestic challenges, including improving access to affordable health care, improving access to education as well as education outcomes, and providing debt and foreclosure relief. CLASP's 2010 federal policy recommendations are equally essential to achieving healthy and thriving families and improving the nation's prosperity. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Jan 22, 2010  |  Child Care and Early Education Missouri: The Quality Rating System and Infant/Toddler Responsive Caregiving Checklist The Missouri Quality Rating System (MO QRS) is a voluntary system that seeks to address infants and toddlers both in terms of the design of the system and in the content on which child care quality is measured. The MO QRS was developed in part to align with the state's early learning standards and core competencies for early childhood professionals. Certain specific measures have been included to address infant/toddler care. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Jan 21, 2010  |  Hannah Matthews and Danielle Ewen FAQ: Using Title I of ESEA for Early Education This paper provides answers to frequently asked questions on using Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds on early education. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Jan 15, 2010  |  Teresa Lim Early Childhood Education Update - January 2010 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Jan 11, 2010  |  Child Care and Early Education California: The Comprehensive Approaches to Raising Educational Standards (CARES) Program and CARES Plus The First 5 California Comprehensive Approaches to Raising Educational Standards (CARES) program is a professional development and retention program that aims to build a highly-qualified and culturally and linguistically diverse early childhood workforce. Open to all ends of the spectrum of those caring for children from 0 to 5—from family, friend and neighbor (FFN) caregivers to licensed family child care providers and center-based teachers and directors, the program offers financial incentives and other supports and services to increase the pursuit of training and education and reduce turnover in the early learning field. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Jan 11, 2010  |  Child Care and Early Education Educare: Creating Comprehensive Early Care and Education Centers Educare is an initiative that draws on public and private resources to create and sustain comprehensive early care and education centers for low-income families with children from birth to age 5. These centers can serve as a model location, program, and a platform for policy change in the communities and states in which they are developed. Centers are currently open in Chicago (IL), Denver (CO), Miami (FL), Milwaukee (WI), Oklahoma City (OK), Omaha (NE), and Tulsa (OK). Additional centers in Kansas City (MO), Omaha (NE), Phoenix (AZ), Seattle (WA), Tulsa (OK), Waterville (ME), West DuPage (IL), and Yakima (WA) are in development. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Jan 11, 2010  |  Danielle Ewen The Early Learning Challenge Fund: Metrics and Data This presentation provides an overview of the data-based metrics included in the House Early Learning Challenge Fund legislation (Title IV of HR 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009). Download PDF
• Dec 22, 2009  |  Teresa Lim and Rachel Schumacher State CCDBG Plans to Promote Opportunities for Babies & Toddlers in Child Care (Full Report) CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project highlights state policies that support the healthy growth and development of infants and toddlers in child care settings. The foundation of the project is a policy framework comprised of four key principles describing what babies and toddlers in child care need and 15 recommendations for states to move forward. This report analyzes state Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) plans for FFY 2008-2009 through the lens of this policy framework and highlights state policies to improve infant/toddler child care. Download PDF
• Dec 22, 2009  |  Teresa Lim and Rachel Schumacher State CCDBG Plans to Promote Opportunities for Babies & Toddlers in Child Care (Policy Brief) CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project highlights state policies that support the healthy growth and development of infants and toddlers in child care settings. The foundation of the project is a policy framework comprised of four key principles describing what babies and toddlers in child care need and 15 recommendations for states to move forward. This policy brief summarizes key findings from an analysis of state Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) plans for FFY 2008-2009 through the lens of the policy framework and highlights state policy approaches. Download PDF
• Dec 17, 2009  |  Hannah Matthews Infants and Toddlers in CCDBG: 2008 Based on preliminary data from the Child Care Bureau, this fact sheet provides a snapshot of participation of infants and toddlers in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program in 2008. Fewer than a third of children served in CCDBG are under the age of 3, but the share of children receiving CCDBG who are infants and toddlers varies from state to state. This fact sheet includes state-by-state information on the ages of children served in CCDBG and other information on the participation of infants and toddlers in the program. Download PDF
• Dec 17, 2009  |  Hannah Matthews School-Age Children in CCDBG: 2008 Based on preliminary data from the Child Care Bureau, this fact sheet provides a snapshot of participation of school-age children in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program in 2008. A third of children served in CCDBG are between ages 6 and 13. This fact sheet includes state-by-state information on the ages of children served in CCDBG and other information on the participation of school-age children in the program. Download PDF
• Dec 10, 2009  |  Teresa Lim Early Childhood Education Update - December 2009 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Dec 09, 2009  |  Elizabeth Hoffmann and Tiffany Conway Perrin Extending Home Visiting to Kinship Caregivers and Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers This paper explores how home visiting programs are serving children in kinship care and in family, friend, and neighbor care, based on CLASP's interviews with major national models of home visiting and other stakeholders. It also presents detailed considerations for implementing home visiting with these caregivers, including matters of curricula, staffing, and service referral, and discusses opportunities that result from serving these caregivers. It concludes with recommendations for states and the federal government. Download PDF
• Dec 04, 2009  |  Elizabeth Hoffmann Extending Home Visiting to Nonparental Caregivers: Opportunities and Barriers (Presentation) This presentation was given at ZERO TO THREE's 2009 National Training Institute. It explores how home visiting programs are serving children in kinship care and in family, friend, and neighbor care, based on CLASP's interviews with major national models of home visiting and other stakeholders. See also the accompanying paper. Download PDF
• Dec 04, 2009  |  Rachel Schumacher Yes We Can: State Policies to Build the Supply of High Quality Infant/Toddler Child Care This presentation discusses the need for high quality infant/toddler child care, challenges to meeting that need, and policy ideas for states to use to build supply. It was delivered at the ZERO TO THREE National Training Institute. Download PDF
• Dec 01, 2009  |  Hannah Matthews Child Care and Development Block Grant Participation in 2008 Based on preliminary data from the Child Care Bureau, this fact sheet provides a snapshot of participation in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program in 2008. CCDBG served a monthly average of 1.6 million children. While 19 states increased the number of children served, 29 states served fewer children in 2008 than in the previous year. This fact sheet reviews data, including the ages of children receiving assistance, the types of child care settings used, and the reasons families receive assistance. Download PDF
• Dec 01, 2009  |  Danielle Ewen and Helen Blank Update on State Advisory Councils on Early Childhood Education and Care This audioconference provides an update on states' progress in creating Early Childhood Advisory Councils, funded through the ARRA, as well as information about the workings of existing Councils. The call was hosted jointly by CLASP and the National Women's Law Center. Download Audio   |   Additional PDF
• Nov 21, 2009  |  Danielle Ewen, Hannah Matthews, and Elizabeth Hoffmann Finding and Using Data to Advocate for Children and Families Effectively This presentation introduces participants to a range of state and federal data on young children and their families and demonstrate how to put data together to paint a picture of child and family well-being. Download PDF
• Nov 20, 2009  |  Danielle Ewen A Birth Through 8 Agenda for ESEA/NCLB This presentation looks at examples of how the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) can be used for birth through third grade, discuss potential changes in the reauthorization, and discuss how to promote greater use of Title I and other programs in NCLB for birth through age 8. Download PDF
• Nov 20, 2009  |  Rachel Schumacher Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care Policy Framework: Celebrating Successes & Contemplating Improvements This presentation focuses on what matters most for infants and toddlers in child care; share what's working in your community, and dream about what's next using the Center for Law and Social Policy's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care Policy Framework. Download PDF
• Nov 19, 2009  |  Rachel Schumacher Developing State Quality Rating and Improvement Systems with Babies in Mind This presentation provides guidance to state leaders who want to ensure a state Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) addresses the unique needs of babies and toddlers in child care. It includes a framework of issues to consider, examples of state QRIS provisions, and related resources. Download PDF
• Nov 17, 2009  |  Rachel Schumacher Establish Core Competencies Learning to recognize the cues of very young children before they can talk is one of many important skills for child care providers and caregivers. All babies and toddlers in child care need nurturing, responsive providers and caregivers they can trust to care for them as they grow and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states establish a core body of knowledge, skills, and expertise that providers and caregivers need in order to give babies and toddlers quality care, based on current research on social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to establish core competencies. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Nov 17, 2009  |  Rachel Schumacher Provide Access to Training, Education, and Ongoing Supports Early experiences and relationships – including those in child care settings—help shape the architecture of the brain. All babies and toddlers in child care need nurturing, responsive providers and caregivers they can trust to care for them as they grow and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states seek to ensure access to specialized professional development for providers working with infants and toddlers, including participation in higher education programs, community-level training, ongoing individualized consultations, and access to appropriate information and supports for caregivers, so that all those who care for infants and toddlers in all settings understand and implement a core body of knowledge and skills. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to provide access to training, education, and ongoing supports. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Nov 09, 2009  |  Teresa Lim Early Childhood Education Update - November 2009 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Nov 02, 2009  |  Rachel Schumacher A Tool to Examine State Child Care Subsidy Policies and Promote Stable, Quality Care for Low-Income Babies and Toddlers This tool, part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project, is designed to provide a policy framework that lays out child care subsidy policies that can be implemented to better support babies and toddlers and their families. Users can download and save a copy of this tool, then fill in the appropriate columns with their state's current policies and opportunities for change. Read Online   |   Download File
• Oct 23, 2009  |  Danielle Ewen Small Steps at a Challenging Time: Federal Legislation for Infants and Toddlers Danielle Ewen, CLASP's director of Child Care and Early Education, presented during a session, Current and Proposed Federal Policies and Plans That Will Influence the Care of Infants and Toddlers, at the Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Graduate Conference on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2009 in San Francisco, Calif. Download PDF
• Oct 23, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education U.S. Head Start by the Numbers 2008 This profile provides data across all Head Start programs (Early Head Start, Head Start preschool, American Indian/Alaskan Native Head Start, and Migrant Head Start) for all grantees. Profiles on individual states are available through "In the States." Download PDF
• Oct 20, 2009  |  Helen Blank And Danielle Ewen Update on State Child Care Assistance Policies and Use of Economic Recovery Funds This audio included child care administrators, who focus on how their states have successfully used American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to assist low-income families. Download Audio   |   Additional PDF
• Oct 15, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education California: Child Care Initiative Program—Building the Supply of Quality FCC Homes The California Child Care Initiative Program aims to increase the supply of quality child care options by recruiting, training, and retaining licensed family child care (FCC) home providers. CCIP is implemented at the community level by local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) and has the potential to support a significant share of infant/toddler care in the state. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Oct 08, 2009  |  CLASP CLASP Testimony to the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support This written testimony to the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support discusses how American Recovery and Reinvestment Act spending has helped safety net programs such as TANF, child care subsidies, unemployment insurance, workforce development programs, and Medicaid, respond to the recession. Download PDF
• Oct 01, 2009  |  Teresa Lim Early Childhood Education Update - October 2009 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Sep 21, 2009  |  Hannah Matthews Child Care Assistance in 2007: Spending Update This analysis details state child care expenditures from the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant programs. We find that spending on child care assistance increased slightly in 2007. Thirty-one states increased overall child care spending, while 20 states made cuts. The number of children receiving assistance, however, remains far lower than the number of children eligible for assistance. Download PDF
• Sep 09, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Learning Coalition Letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on FY 2011 Budget Request for Child Care and Head Start CLASP signed this coalition letter urging HHS to prepare a FY 2011 budget that allows for substantial increases in funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, Head Start, and Early Head Start. Download PDF
• Sep 01, 2009  |  CLASP Federal Policy Recommendations for 2009 and Beyond The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) has developed an extensive federal policy agenda for President Obama and the 111th Congress directed at improving the lives of low income people. That agenda is outlined in this document. Download PDF
• Aug 05, 2009  |  Teresa Lim Early Childhood Education Update - August 2009 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Aug 03, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education Indiana: Increasing Access to Child Care Information for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families Indiana uses its eleven local child care resource and referral agencies (CCR&Rs) to provide information on infant/toddler care to families from the state's cultural and linguistic groups, through onsite bilingual staff, partnering with community-based organizations, translating materials and forms, and offering enhanced referral services for families with infants and toddlers. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Aug 03, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education Indiana: Providing Information and Training to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Providers and Caregivers The Indiana Association for Child Care Resource and Referral provides services and supports to Spanish-speaking providers, supports local CCR&Rs with outreach, and maintains a database on 18 different languages spoken throughout the state. Professional development opportunities addressing cultural and linguistic diversity include the Infant Toddler Specialists of Indiana and the Non-Formal CDA Credential Project. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Jul 23, 2009  |  Rachel Schumacher Comprehensive Services for Babies and Toddlers: Research, Practice, and Policy This presentation was given at the U.S. Department of Education Parent Information and Resource Centers Annual Directors' Conference and provides a framework for connecting early care and education, health, family support, and early intervention services to support infants and toddlers and their families. It also includes ideas for schools to work with community partners to support the healthy development of children from birth to age three. Download PDF
• Jul 20, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education Early Learning Challenge Fund Legislation Audio Conference In this audio conference, Dr. Ruth Friedman, Senior Education Policy Advisor, House Committee on Education and Labor, provides an overview of the Early Learning Challenge Fund and answers questions about the legislation. Download Audio   |   Additional PDF
• Jul 20, 2009  |  Danielle Ewen Letter To House Committee On Education And Labor On Early Learning Challenge Fund CLASP wrote a letter of support for the proposed Early Learning Challenge Fund to Chairman Miller. The proposal creates the opportunity for states to make significant investments in the quality of early childhood programs serving disadvantaged children and their families. Download PDF
• Jul 10, 2009  |  Teresa Lim Early Childhood Education Update - July 2009 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Jul 10, 2009 U.S. Head Start by the Numbers 2007 This fact sheet presents Head Start PIR data for all Head Start programs in the nation -- including preschool programs, Early Head Start, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, and American Indian/Alaskan Native Head Start. Download PDF
• Jun 26, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education Delaware: Implementing Preservice Training Requirements and Group Sizes for Licensed Center-Based Infant/Toddler Providers As part of its 2007 revised regulations for child care centers, Delaware improved provider-to-child ratios for infants and toddlers, as well as strengthened preservice training, health and safety, and monitoring. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Jun 26, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education Delaware: Training for Relative Care Providers Receiving Child Care Subsidies Delaware requires child development training for all relative caregivers receiving child care subsidies. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Jun 26, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education Delaware: Training that Supports Infant/Toddler Providers and Caregivers A variety of Delaware's training initiatives tied to child care licensing and subsidy policies support infant/toddler providers and caregivers, including center-based providers, family child care providers, and relative caregivers receiving child care subsidies. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Jun 23, 2009  |  Danielle Ewen and Hannah Matthews Early Childhood Education In The ARRA: Opportunities For Helping Low-income Children And Their Families This presentation highlights funding opportunities in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for supporting young children and their families, quality early learning experiences, and healthy and supportive communities. Download PDF
• Jun 22, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education Massachusetts: 12-Month Subsidy Eligibility Massachusetts switched to a 12-month subsidy eligibility period for most families to help children retain access to child care assistance and to reduce state administrative and staff burden. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Jun 22, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education New Mexico: Defining Common Core Content and Specialized Knowledge to Promote the Effectiveness of Infant/Toddler Providers and Professionals New Mexico requires coursework on Common Core Content that outlines what all early childhood professionals should know and be able to do. The state has also established three areas of specialization: early childhood teacher, early childhood program administrator, and family, infant toddler professional. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Jun 03, 2009  |  Danielle Ewen ARRA Opportunities For Shared Services For The ECE Industry: Improving Quality And Financial Stability This presentation, from the 2009 National Shared Services Technical Conference, highlights funding opportunities in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that supoprt an early care and education shared services model to improve business practices and increase the quality of programs. Download PDF
• May 22, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education California: Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) The Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) is a comprehensive, multi-media, training of trainers initiative using a relationship-based approach to early care, that has been operating in California since 1985. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• May 22, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education Indiana: Requiring Continuity of Care in Licensing Through licensing rules for child care centers, Indiana requires centers to make a reasonable effort to achieve continuity of care for infants and toddlers up to 30 months of age. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• May 22, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education Minnesota: Policies that Support Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers A grant program supports diverse family, friend, and neighbor caregivers through six initiatives across Minnesota. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• May 22, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education Montana: Infant/Toddler Merit Pay and Certified Infant/Toddler Caregiver Stipend The Infant/Toddler Merit Pay Program and Certified Infant/Toddler Caregiver Stipend encourage providers and caregivers to participate in additional training and remain in the child care field in Montana. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• May 22, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education Montana: Using Subsidy Policy to Promote Continuity of Care The state designed its subsidy policies on absent days, medical appointments, and presumptive eligibility to promote stable care for children receiving child care assistance. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• May 21, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education An Economic Recovery Update: How States Can Use Economic Recovery Funds To Help Child Care Listen to an audio conference recording about how to best utilize the economic recovery funds. A conversation with state advocates is moderated by Helen Blank, National Women's Law Center, and Danielle Ewen, CLASP. Speakers include: Speakers: Bruce Liggett, Executive Director, Arizona Child Care Association; Sessy Nyman, Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs, Illinois Action for Children; Sheila Hansen, Policy Director, Child and Family Policy Center; Patty Siegel, Executive Director, California Child Care Resource & Referral Network; and Clare S. Richie, Senior Policy Analyst, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. Download Audio   |   Additional PDF
• May 07, 2009  |  Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth Hoffmann Babies and Toddlers in Child Care: State Policy and Practice for Healthy Development Young children's experiences between birth and age 3 are critical cornerstones that lay the foundation for future growth and development. This presentation from the 2009 Smart Start Conference explores what babies need to thrive, how these needs align with state policies governing child care for infants and toddlers, and what specific policy examples states are putting into practice to improve care and promote healthy development. Download PDF
• May 07, 2009  |  Hannah Matthews Supporting Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Families In Early Care Policies And Practice This presentation provides recommendations for state policymakers and local programs to help culturally and linguistically diverse families access high quality comprehensive early care and education. Download PDF
• May 06, 2009  |  Elizabeth Hoffmann Extending Home Visiting Programs to Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers: Opportunities and Barriers (Presentation) Many young children spend significant time with family, friend, and neighbor caregivers in order for parents to work. This presentation, given at the national Smart Start conference, explores findings from interviews with national leaders in home visiting around the opportunities and challenges of using home visiting models with nonparental caregivers. Based on these findings, CLASP also offers recommendations for what states can do. Download PDF
• Mar 23, 2009  |  Hannah Matthews Ten Policies To Improve Access To Quality Child Care For Children In Immigrant Families While children in immigrant families represent a rapidly growing segment of the nation's child population, they are less likely to access child care and early education settings compared to their peers in native-born families. Part of CLASP's "Reinvesting in Child Care" series, this paper presents ten policies for state policymakers to implement now with economic recovery funds to improve access to quality child care for children in immigrant families. Download PDF
• Mar 18, 2009  |  Danielle Ewen Testimony On Growing Federal Investments In Head Start And Early Head Start This testimony, presented on March 18, 2009 to the Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, discusses the importance of Head Start/Early Head Start programs that support our most vulnerable infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families. Download PDF
• Mar 10, 2009  |  Rachel Schumacher Benefitting Babies: Ten Policies States Can Implement Now to Improve Infant/Toddler Child Care with Economic Recovery Funds This paper presents ten policy ideas for state policymakers to implement now with economic recovery funds to support quality programs and enhancement strategies that will improve early care and learning for infants and toddlers. Download PDF
• Mar 10, 2009 State Infant/Toddler ARRA Policies Series Part of CLASP's "Reinvesting in Child Care" series, this set of eight fact sheets provides policy recommendations and state examples for using economic recovery funds to improve the quality of infant/toddler care. Read Online
• Mar 09, 2009  |  CLASP and the National Women's Law Center Making Use of Economic Recovery Funds: Child Care Policy Options for States This joint paper offers state policymakers and advocates a set of policy options for effectively spending CCDBG economic recovery funds to create new jobs, serve more families, and improve the quality of child care. Download PDF
• Mar 04, 2009  |  Elizabeth Hoffmann Promote Access to Comprehensive Services Very young children develop in the context of their physical and mental health and the capacity of their families and other caregivers to address the full range of early childhood development. All babies and toddlers in child care need parents, providers, and caregivers supported by and linked to community resources. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states link comprehensive health, mental health, and family support services for vulnerable babies and toddlers to all child care settings, and provide culturally and linguistically appropriate service information to parents, providers, and caregivers. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to promote access to comprehensive services. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Mar 04, 2009  |  Hannah Matthews Provide Information on Infant/Toddler Care Choosing child care for their very young children is often a difficult and emotional task for parents. All babies and toddlers in child care need their families to have access to quality options for their care. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states provide all parents of infants and toddlers with culturally and linguistically appropriate information on choosing high-quality care and subsidy eligibility. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to provide information on infant/toddler care. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Feb 27, 2009  |  Hannah Matthews CCDBG: What's in the law? The federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program allows states broad discretion to develop their child care assistance programs within federal guidelines. This brief lays out the federal requirements states must follow in designing their child care programs and spending CCDBG funds. Download PDF
• Feb 25, 2009  |  Child Care and Early Education Child Care and Early Education: Opportunities to Serve More Low-Income, Working Families Danielle Ewen, CLASP, and Helen Blank, National Women's Law Center, discuss the opportunity for states and local communities to serve more low-income working families and to make long-term investments in quality programs through new investments in the ARRA. Download Audio   |   Additional PDF
• Feb 13, 2009  |  Hannah Matthews Impact of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 on Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Funding State Allocations for $2 Billion in CCDBG Funding. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes $2 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). CLASP has estimated the state allocations for the child care funding as well as the share of funds states will receive for quality initiatives. Download PDF
• Jan 23, 2009  |  Hannah Matthews Child Care Assistance: A Program That Works As the economic recovery package moves through Congress, it is critical that it include a $3 billion increase in the federal child care assistance program, the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). Child care is a program that works. Research shows that child care assistance makes a significant difference in the economic health and security of families. It helps families sustain their participation in the workforce, reduce instability in care arrangements that can impact work, and move out of poverty. Download PDF
• Jan 22, 2009  |  Rachel Schumacher Continuity of Care: A Critical Component of Quality for Babies and Toddlers in Child Care This presentation, given at the Chicago Metro AEYC Opening Minds Conference, explores how continuity of care affects infant and toddler development. Comparative state data from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minneosta, Ohio, and Wisconsin is included. Download PDF
• Jan 09, 2009  |  Teresa Lim Early Childhood Education Update - January 2009 CLASP's Early Childhood Education Update is a monthly roundup of news, legislative developments, research, and other developments of interest to the early care and education community. This update is part of CLASP's project, funded by The Joyce Foundation, to provide technical assistance to early childhood policymakers and advocates in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Read Online
• Nov 21, 2008  |  Hannah Matthews Child Care and Development Block Grant Participation in 2007 Based on preliminary data from the Child Care Bureau, this fact sheet provides a snapshot of participation in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program in 2007. CCDBG served a monthly average of 1.7 million children. While 22 states increased the number of children served, 27 states served fewer children in 2007 than in the previous year. This fact sheet reviews data, including the ages of children receiving assistance, the types of child care settings used, and the reasons families receive assistance. See also Infants and Toddlers in the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program: 2007 Update for a snapshot of participation of infants and toddlers in CCDBG. Download PDF
• Nov 21, 2008  |  Hannah Matthews Infants and Toddlers in the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program: 2007 Update Based on preliminary data from the Child Care Bureau, this fact sheet provides a snapshot of participation of infants and toddlers in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program in 2007. Over a quarter of children served in CCDBG are under the age of 3, but the share of children receiving CCDBG who are infants and toddlers varies from state to state. This fact sheet includes state-by-state information on the ages of children served in CCDBG. See also Child Care and Development Block Grant Participation in 2007 for an overview of CCDBG participation by children of all ages. Download PDF
• Nov 21, 2008  |  Hannah Matthews U.S. Child Care Assistance Profile 2007 This fact sheet presents state reported information on child care spending through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds used for child care, and information on children and families participating in CCDBG. Download PDF
• Nov 10, 2008  |  Julie Cohen (ZERO TO THREE) and Danielle Ewen Infants and Toddlers in Child Care This joint brief makes policy recommendations to create supports for, and expand access to, quality child care for infants and toddlers, focusing on the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), tax policy, and appropriations. The brief also summarizes research on the importance of quality child care. Download PDF
• Nov 05, 2008  |  Hannah Matthews U.S. Child Care Assistance State Profile 2006 This fact sheet presents state reported information on child care spending through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds used for child care, and information on children and families participating in CCDBG. Download PDF
• Nov 03, 2008  |  Hannah Matthews and Danielle Ewen Child Care Assistance in 2006: Insufficient Investments Spending on child care assistance increased slightly in 2006. Thirty-two states increased spending, while 19 states made cuts to their child care programs. Meanwhile, federal funding for child care has remained nearly flat for six years. Analysis of expenditure data from the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant show that states will need more help just to maintain current service levels. Download PDF
• Oct 16, 2008  |  Alan W. Houseman and the CLASP Staff CLASP Federal Policy Recommendations for 2009 and Beyond CLASP has developed an extensive federal policy agenda for the next President and Congress directed at improving the lives of low income people. The detailed agenda makes recommendations for changes in policy at all levels of the federal government: the White House, Federal departments and agencies, the budget and appropriations' process, and the law-making process in Congress. This publication provides an overview of our agenda organized into eleven key recommendations. Taken as a whole, the eleven recommendations call for increasing investments in effective programs and funding streams that concretely help children, youth, and families thrive; strengthening and modernizing the nation's safety net; and building supportive pathways for low-income youths and adults to good jobs that sustain families and communities. Download PDF
• Sep 30, 2008  |  Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth Hoffmann Build Supply of Quality Care Nurturing and responsive infant/toddler child care is difficult to provide, and even harder for parents to find, yet all babies and toddlers in care need high quality care. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states build the supply of high-quality child care settings for all babies and toddlers, with a special focus on underserved communities—including those in low-income, rural, and/or immigrant and language-minority communities. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to build supply of quality care. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Sep 30, 2008  |  Hannah Matthews Support a Diverse and Culturally Competent Workforce Child care providers and caregivers need a set of skills to work effectively and respectfully across cultures. All babies and toddlers in child care need nurturing, responsive providers and caregivers they can trust to care for them as they grow and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states ensure the diversity and cultural competence of infant and toddler providers and caregivers in order to meet the needs of the state’s children under three and their families. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to support a diverse and culturally competent workforce. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Sep 30, 2008  |  Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth Hoffmann Use Subsidy Policies to Promote Stable, Quality Care The ability of low-income parents to secure the consistent, responsive, nurturing child care their babies and toddlers need is affected by state policies governing state subsidy systems. All babies and toddlers in child care need their families to have access to quality options for their care. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states use state child care subsidy policies to support stable, continuous access to the highest-quality providers and caregivers for infants and toddlers in low-income families. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to use subsidy policies to promote stable, quality care. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Aug 25, 2008  |  Rachel Schumacher Improve Center Ratios and Group Sizes When child care providers and caregivers are able to focus attention on each baby or toddler in their care, it is easier for them to monitor safety, attend to individual physical needs, and promote child well being. All babies and toddlers in child care need healthy and safe environments in which to explore and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states ensure that infants in center-based programs are cared for in groups no larger than six, with ratios of one child care provider to no more than three infants, and that toddlers are cared for in groups no larger than eight, with ratios of one provider to no more than four toddlers. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to improve center ratios and group sizes. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Aug 25, 2008  |  Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth Hoffmann Improve Family Child Care Ratios and Group Sizes When child care providers and caregivers are able to focus attention on each baby or toddler in their care, it is easier for them to monitor safety, attend to individual physical needs, and promote child well being. All babies and toddlers in child care need healthy and safe environments in which to explore and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states ensure that no more than two children under age 2 be cared for by a family child care provider at one time, and that group size not exceed six children (including all children related to the provider). This document presents research supporting the recommendation to improve family child care ratios and group sizes. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Aug 25, 2008  |  Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth Hoffmann Promote Continuity of Care Strong attachment relationships between babies and toddlers and the adults who care for them are critical to early brain development. All babies and toddlers in child care need nurturing, responsive providers and caregivers they can trust to care for them as they grow and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states provide information and supports for providers and caregivers to develop nurturing, responsive, and continuous relationships with children from when they enter child care to age three. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to promote continuity of care. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Aug 14, 2008  |  Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) State Early Head Start Initiative Profiles CLASP and ZERO TO THREE conducted in-depth interviews with 10 states taking actions to build on Early Head Start. These individual profiles of state initiatives include data on the approaches used to build on Early Head Start, the state program, funding and supports, governance and coordination, and monitoring and evaluation. Read Online
• Aug 08, 2008  |  Hannah Matthews Child Care and Development Block Grant Participation in 2006 This fact sheet provides a snapshot of participation in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program in 2006. CCDBG served a monthly average of 1.8 million children. While 29 states increased the number of children served, 22 states served fewer children in 2006 than in the previous year. This fact sheet reviews data, including the ages of children receiving assistance, the types of child care settings used, and the reasons families can receive assistance. Download PDF
• Jul 30, 2008  |  Hannah Matthews and Rachel Schumacher Ensuring Quality Care for Low-Income Babies: Contracting Directly with Providers to Expand and Improve Infant and Toddler Care The supply of high-quality infant and toddler child care is limited, particularly for low-income families. While most states provide child care assistance through vouchers or certificates, states have the option of contracting directly with providers to expand infant/toddler care for low-income families. Based on interviews with state policymakers, this paper explains how states are using contracts to create or stabilize care in particular communities or for specific populations; to create child care slots meeting quality standards important for infants and toddlers; to extend the day for infants and toddlers served in Early Head Start; and to improve the quality of infant/toddler family child care. Download PDF
• Jun 18, 2008 Early Head Start Participants, Programs, Families, And Staff In 2006 This fact sheet reviews the 2006 Program Information Reports (PIR) data for the Early Head Start program, which serves children under age 3 and pregnant women. In 2006, Early Head Start continued to provide vital services to a diverse group of low-income children and families, most of which included at least one working parent. Most children received medical, dental, and disability screenings and follow-up services when necessary. Pregnant women also received prenatal and postnatal health care, dental care, and mental health care. Families also accessed services at high rates; 84 percent of families accessed at least one social service. However, just 2.4 percent of eligible children receive Early Head Start services. Download PDF
• Jun 18, 2008 Head Start Participants, Programs, Families, And Staff In 2006 This fact sheet reviews the 2006 Program Information Report (PIR) data for all Head Start programs, including preschool, Early Head Start, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, and American Indian and Alaskan Native programs. In 2006, Head Start continued to provide vital services to a diverse group of low-income children and families. Most children received medical, dental, and disability screenings and follow-up services when necessary. Data show that increasingly, children in Head Start are receiving health insurance through public programs, even though 70 percent of families included at least one working parent. In addition, Head Start teacher education levels continued to rise, while salaries decreased 2 percent from the previous year after inflation adjustment. Download PDF
• Apr 25, 2008  |  Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Building on the Promise: State Initiatives to Expand Access to Early Head Start for Young Children and Their Families This report from CLASP and ZERO TO THREE examines actions states have taken to enhance Early Head Start (EHS). Less than 3 percent of babies and toddlers who are eligible for EHS are reached at current federal funding levels. Twenty states use at least one of four main approaches: 1) Extending the day or year of existing EHS services, 2) Expanding the capacity of existing EHS and Head Start programs to increase the number of children and pregnant women served, 3) Providing resources and assistance to child care providers to help them deliver services meeting EHS standards, and 4) Supporting partnerships between EHS and center-based and family child care providers to improve the quality of care. The report also analyzes 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. CLASP and ZERO TO THREE have also prepared state profiles detailing the approaches of Kansas and Iowa to expanding Early Head Start. Download PDF
• Apr 25, 2008  |  Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Executive Summary: Building on the Promise: State Initiatives to Expand Access to Early Head Start for Young Children and Their Families Executive Summary of Building on the Promise: State Initiatives to Expand Access to Early Head Start for Young Children and Their Families Download PDF
• Feb 11, 2008  |  Hannah Matthews Incorporating Cultural Competence in Quality Rating and Improvement Systems This presentation provides an overview of what cultural competence is; why cultural and linguistic competence is important in early childhood standards; and how quality rating and improvement systems (QRIS) can support cultural and linguistic competence. Download PDF
• Feb 04, 2008  |  Hannah Matthews and Danielle Ewen President's Budget Disregards Sound Investments for Young Children Every Administration uses the budget to send a signal about its priorities for the coming year. In this period of economic downturn, when our most vulnerable children and families need access to comprehensive supports, the message of this budget is simple and stark: children in low-income working families don't matter. Download PDF
• Jan 30, 2008  |  Danielle Ewen, Aaron Nelson, and Hannah Matthews CCDBG State Plan Reported Activities To Support Limited English Proficient (LEP) And Immigrant Communities This paper provides examples of activities that states reported within the Child Care and Development Block Grant program to better serve immigrant and LEP communities. CLASP reviewed FY 2006-2007 CCDBG state plans for references to initiatives that would support immigrant families and/or providers, Limited English Proficient (LEP) families and/or providers, English Language Learners, or linguistic and cultural diversity. We find that state reported activities in these areas were often vague and few states reported carrying out multiple strategies. Download PDF
• Jan 17, 2008  |  Danielle Ewen Head Start Reauthorization and Other Federal Changes The federal Head Start program was reauthorized in December 2007. The new legislation made substantial changes to the program, including provisions to expand access to Head Start programs, strengthen and expand Early Head Start, increase the quality of the program, and improve collaboration between early childhood programs at the state and local levels. This PowerPoint presentation from CLASP, presented at the 2008 Head Start Johnson & Johnson Advanced Management Institute, provides an overview of key changes in the new law. Download PDF
• Jan 09, 2008  |  Rachel Schumacher, Elizabeth Hoffmann, and Anne Goldstein (ZERO TO THREE) Policy Framework: Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care This policy framework sets forth four key principles that establish the foundation of supports that all babies and toddlers in child care need, as well as 15 recommendations that state child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies should address. Download PDF
• Jan 09, 2008  |  by Elizabeth Hoffmann and Danielle Ewen Supporting Families, Nurturing Young Children: Early Head Start Programs in 2006 This policy brief analyzes the 2006 Program Information Reports (PIR) data for the Early Head Start program, which serves children under age 3 and pregnant women. In 2006, Early Head Start supported families with working parents from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds through a broad range of services, including medical, dental, and mental health services. Since 2004, more Early Head Start children and pregnant women received dental exams; more pregnant women had health insurance; and more pregnant women received mental health services. As in previous years, teacher education levels increased, but salaries remained stagnant. Also, more Early Head Start children are in informal care outside program hours. Download PDF
• Dec 20, 2007  |  Hannah Matthews Improving Access to Child Care and Early Education for Immigrant Families: A State Policy Checklist State policies can promote, or impede, access to high-quality child care and early education for immigrant families. CLASP has created a technical assistance tool for states that lists recommended policies that states can implement to address immigrant access to high-quality child care and early education programs. Policymakers will want to evaluate the current set of policies they have in place that support these recommended courses of action as well as to plan for future policy changes and improvements. Download PDF
• Dec 20, 2007  |  Danielle Ewen and Hannah Matthews Selected State and Local Policies to Support Immigrant and Limited English Proficient (LEP) Early Care and Education Providers. As the young child population is growing in diversity, the early childhood field is facing a shortage of bilingual and bicultural providers. One way to increase the supply of qualified, bilingual and culturally competent early care and education providers is to assist providers from immigrant communities to gain the skills to become licensed child care providers, as well as to provide supports to immigrant providers in order to retain them in the early childhood field and to encourage further professionalization and credentialing. CLASP has created a checklist of selected policies that support immigrant providers, particularly those with limited English proficiency. This tool offers strategies and examples for improving policies in the areas of language access, training and professional development. Download PDF
• Oct 05, 2007  |  Danielle Ewen and Hannah Matthews Title I And Early Childhood Programs: A Look At Investments In The NCLB Era This paper explores the wide range of ways in which school districts are using funds from Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) for early education through kindergarten and examines how the implementation of NCLB has impacted those investments. It also makes recommendations for local educational agencies interested in creating Title I-funded early education programs or thinking about how to sustain these types of investments in the face of policy and funding challenges. Download PDF
• Jun 15, 2007  |  Rachel Schumacher, Katie Hamm, and Danielle Ewen Making Pre-Kindergarten Work For Low-income Working Families As of 2006, 38 states and the District of Columbia had pre-kindergarten programs, which vary considerably in their design. While low-income children stand to gain the most from early care and education initiatives, working families may not be able to access programs that are not responsive to their needs. This paper discusses research supporting the need to review initiatives to ensure maximum access for children in working families, especially low-income children; highlights key strategies to address the needs of low-income working families; and examines the extent to which state pre-kindergarten policies currently do so.This paper is based on research conducted for the CLASP report All Together Now: State Experiences in Using Community-based Child Care to Provide Pre-Kindergarten. Download PDF
• Jun 08, 2007  |  Anne Goldstein (on behalf of ZERO TO THREE), Katie Hamm, and Rachel Schumacher Supporting Growth and Development of Babies in Child Care: What Does the Research Say? This brief outlines research to make the case that state policies can promote the quality and continuity of early childhood experiences and positively impact the healthy growth and development of babies and toddlers in child care--the central tenet of the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project, conducted by CLASP with ZERO TO THREE. The majority of infants and toddlers will spend some time in non-parental care during these early years; and research shows that secure relationships with parents and caregivers are of primary importance for cognitive, social, and emotional development. The project will highlight how state child care subsidy, licensing, and quality enhancement policies can increase the odds that vulnerable babies and toddlers have positive early learning and development experiences when in child care settings. Download PDF
• May 17, 2007  |  Danielle Ewen and Hannah Matthews Recommendations To Support High-Quality Early Education Programs Through Reauthorization Of The No Child Left Behind Act Unlike other early care and education funding sources, Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has seen some increases in funding levels since 2002. As a result, a number of policymakers interested in investing in high-quality early care and education programs have turned to Title I as a funding source. This publication, which draws from two years study of the relationship between Title I and high-quality early education, offers recommendations for the reauthorization of NCLB. Download PDF
• May 02, 2007  |  Hannah Matthews and Deeana Jang Executive Summary: The Challenges of Change: Learning from the Child Care and Early Education Experiences of Immigrant Families Executive Summary of The Challenges of Change: Learning from the Child Care and Early Education Experiences of Immigrant Families Download PDF
• May 02, 2007  |  Hannah Matthews and Deeana Jang The Challenges of Change: Learning from the Child Care and Early Education Experiences of Immigrant Families One of every five children in the United States is the child of an immigrant. Although these children stand to benefit from high-quality child care and early education programs, available data show that they are less likely to participate in all types of non-parental care than children of U.S.-born citizens are. To explore the reasons for the lower participation of children of immigrants, CLASP conducted site visits across the country to learn first hand about the challenges that immigrant families face. CLASP sought out immigrant leaders and direct service providers, immigrant parents, child care and early education providers, and policymakers. This report identifies multiple barriers that impede immigrant families from accessing high-quality child care and early education. It also highlights promising strategies being used in local communities to break down those barriers and to improve child care and early education programs so that they are more responsive to the needs of diverse immigrant families. It concludes with a set of recommendations for federal, state, and local policymakers, advocates, private foundations, and researchers. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• Mar 22, 2007  |  Danielle Ewen, Elizabeth Lower-Basch, Julie Strawn, and Vicki Turetsky Congress Should Take Action to Restore Flexibility and Funding Lost in 2006 Welfare Reauthorization and HHS Regulations On March 6, 2007, the House Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support held a hearing on the changes made by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) to programs assisting low-income families. In this testimony for the record, we discuss some of the early effects of the DRA and proposed regulations on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, child care, and child support participants and programs and offer recommendations as to how Congress should respond. Download PDF
• Mar 08, 2007  |  Child Care and Early Education Arkansas: Framework for Infant and Toddler Care The Arkansas Framework for Infant and Toddler Care promotes high standards for programs and guidelines for early learning for infants and toddlers. This state example was originally written as part of Starting Off Right: Promoting Child Development from Birth in State Early Care and Education Initiatives and updated for the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Mar 08, 2007  |  Child Care and Early Education Connecticut: Early Childhood Consultation Partnership The Early Childhood Consultation Partnership uses consultants to provide mental health and behavioral health consultations in child care centers for an individual child or to help improve the socio-emotional environment of the whole classroom. This state example was originally written as part of Starting Off Right: Promoting Child Development from Birth in State Early Care and Education Initiatives and updated for the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Mar 08, 2007  |  Child Care and Early Education North Carolina: T.E.A.C.H. & WAGE$ The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Project and the Child Care WAGE$ Project use scholarship, bonus, and wage enhancement strategies to promote compensation and benefits, including for infant/toddler teachers. This state example was originally written as part of Starting Off Right: Promoting Child Development from Birth in State Early Care and Education Initiatives and updated for the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Mar 08, 2007  |  Child Care and Early Education Wisconsin: Infant and Toddler Professional Credential The Wisconsin Infant Toddler Professional Credential promotes a strong workforce and supported caregivers for infants and toddlers. This state example was originally written as part of Starting Off Right: Promoting Child Development from Birth in State Early Care and Education Initiatives and updated for the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Read Online
• Feb 05, 2007  |  Danielle Ewen and Hannah Matthews Families Forgotten: Administration's Priorities Put Child Care Low on List Despite evidence that child care assistance is critical to helping low-income families to work and to succeed financially, the President's FY 2008 budget proposal freezes discretionary child care funding for the sixth consecutive year. According to the Administration's own estimates, 300,000 children will lose child care assistance by 2010. This is in addition to 150,000 children who have already lost assistance since 2000. Download PDF
• Jan 30, 2007  |  CLASP and CBPP Implementing the TANF Changes in the DRA: "Win-Win" Solutions for Families and States, Second Edition This report from CLASP and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is intended to guide state administrators and advocates as they consider implementing the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provisions of the 2006 federal budget, called the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA). This report has been updated to reflect the Interim Final Rule and guidance issued by HHS in response to states' Work Verification Plans. The report discusses the legal structure of the work participation requirements; strategies for improving and increasing engagement in programs; strategies for increasing support for working families (through increased earnings disregards, stand-alone "work supplement" programs, and child support distribution options) and helping states meet participation rates; disability laws and ways to improve the effectiveness of TANF-related programs for individuals with disabilities; and the fiscal implications of the TANF, child care, and child support provisions. To view/print specific chapters, visit http://www.cbpp.org/archiveSite/2-9-07tanf.htm Download PDF
• Jan 22, 2007  |  Helene Stebbins and L. Carol Scott Better Outcomes For All: Promoting Partnerships Between Head Start And State Pre-K This report, a collaboration between CLASP and Pre-K Now, examines how Head Start and state pre-kindergarten programs can work together to best serve young children and their families. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with state pre-k program directors, Head Start collaboration coordinators, and providers of both Head Start and state pre-k programs in five states. The report finds that collaborations led to the enrollment of more children; the availability of more full-day, full-year options; and improvements in the quality of programs across settings. All of those interviewed for the report noted that collaboration is possible under current law and that it is well worth the effort. Download PDF
• Dec 15, 2006  |  Early Childhood Systems Working Group State Early Childhood Development System and Core Elements The Early Childhood Systems Working Group consists of 14 organizations, including CLASP, that mapped four elements of a State Early Childhood Development System as well as the Core Elements of these systems that are needed to support families and help children thrive. Download PDF
• Dec 08, 2006  |  Danielle Ewen and Hannah Matthews The Potential Of Title I For High-Quality Preschool This presentation, funded by the Foundation for Child Development, provides a brief overview of Title I of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, explains how these funds may be used to support high-quality preschool, and offers several illustrative models of school districts using Title I funds for early education. It also provides background information making the case for investments in young, low-income children, along with relevant policy implications that may affect the availability of Title I funding for such programs. Download PDF
• Nov 02, 2006  |  Hannah Matthews U.S. Child Care Assistance State Profile 2005 This fact sheet presents state reported information on child care spending through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds used for child care, and information on children and families participating in CCDBG. Download PDF
• Nov 01, 2006  |  Hannah Matthews and Danielle Ewen Child Care Assistance in 2005: State Cuts Continue State spending on child care assistance declined in 2005 for the second consecutive year. Twenty-two states made cuts to their child care programs, as the number of children living in low-income families that received help from these programs continued to decline. Many families turn to child care assistance programs to get help paying for the child care they need in order to work and to succeed. This policy brief provides an overview of national expenditure data for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds directed towards child care. View the associated chart showing state-by-state changes in child care expenditures and CCDBG participation from 2004 to 2005. Download PDF
• Sep 12, 2006  |  Katie Hamm Head Start Participants, Programs, Families, and Staff in 2005 This fact sheet reviews the 2005 Program Information Report (PIR) data for all Head Start programs, including preschool, Early Head Start, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, and American Indian and Alaskan Native programs. Data show that while Head Start helped more families access social services in 2005, the number of children served decreased. In addition, Head Start teacher education levels continued to rise, while salaries remained stagnant. Download PDF
• Aug 25, 2006  |  Katie Hamm Early Head Start Participants, Programs, Families, and Staff in 2005 This fact sheet reviews the 2005 Program Information Reports (PIR) data for the Early Head Start program, which serves children under age 3 and pregnant women. In 2005, Early Head Start continued to provide vital services to a diverse group of low-income children and families, most of which included at least one working parent. Most children received medical, dental, and disability screenings and follow-up services when necessary. Families also accessed services at high rates; 80 percent of families accessed at least one social service. However, just 2.5 percent of eligible children receive Early Head Start services. Download PDF
• Aug 25, 2006  |  Katie Hamm More than Meets the Eye: Head Start Programs, Participants, Families, and Staff in 2005 This policy brief examines the latest data from the Program Information Reports (PIR) that all Head Start programs must submit to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 2005, Head Start served fewer children than in previous years. At the same time, PIR data show that Head Start is increasingly a provider of last resort for low-income families. Despite a decrease in the number of families served, there was an increase in the number of families accessing an array of services through Head Start, including services for substance abuse, child abuse or neglect, mental health, and English as a Second Language courses. As in previous years, teacher education levels increased, but salaries remained stagnant. Download PDF
• Aug 03, 2006  |  Rachel Schumacher, Katie Hamm, Anne Goldstein, and Joan Lombardi Starting Off Right: Promoting Child Development From Birth In State Early Care And Education Initiatives State early care and education policies that start at birth and address the full range of children's development can potentially identify health and developmental issues, link families to necessary supports, and assure that those who care for infants and toddlers have the tools to stimulate early learning and development and ease transitions into the preschool and elementary years. This paper describes a menu of state strategies to improve early care and education for infants and toddlers, and supports to their families, including: examples of specific policies to promote child development birth to 3, as well as ideas for state funding and governance structures that provide attention and resources for all children birth to age 5. Read Online   |   Download PDF
• May 10, 2006  |  Mark Greenberg, Danielle Ewen, and Hannah Matthews Using TANF for Early Childhood Programs In recent years, states have made significant investments in pre-kindergarten programs in order to help young children enter school ready to learn. Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds are among the sources states have tapped to support some or all of their early childhood initiatives. This brief, supported by the Foundation for Child Development, outlines when and how states can use TANF funds to support early childhood programs, and examines the impact of TANF changes included the 2006 federal budget (called the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005) on this use. Download PDF
• Apr 03, 2006  |  Hannah Matthews Child Care Assistance Helps Families Work: A Review of the Effects of Subsidy Receipt on Employment Reliable and stable child care helps parents retain steady employment and reduces workplace absenteeism, but the high costs of care challenge many families, particularly low-income working parents. Child care assistance can help. This policy brief reviews relevant research and finds that low-income mothers who receive child care subsidies are more likely to be employed, to stay off welfare, and to have higher earnings. For that reason, increasing investments in child care assistance is necessary to help families move from welfare to work and to help low-income parents continue working. Download PDF
• Mar 17, 2006  |  Katie Hamm and Danielle Ewen From the Beginning: Early Head Start Children, Families, Staff, and Programs in 2004 This policy brief profiles the Early Head Start program--which serves low-income children under age 3, pregnant women, and their families with comprehensive early education and support services--using the latest data from the Program Information Reports that all Head Start grantees must submit to the U.S. Department of Health. Major changes in 2004 included more children with access to a continuous source of dental care and fewer families receiving TANF benefits. The proportion of home visitors and teachers with degrees also increased, although teacher salaries remained stagnant. (Head Start Policy Brief No. 7.) Download PDF
• Feb 10, 2006  |  Danielle Ewen and Hannah Matthews Toward a Decade of Indifference: Administration Budget Ignores Child Care Needs of Working Families Child care assistance is critical to helping low-income working families succeed and find quality child care that fosters their children's well-being and healthy development. Yet the President's 2007 budget proposal, released on February 6, 2006, freezes discretionary child care funding for the fifth consecutive year. The result will be a 25 percent drop in the number of children from low-income working families who get help paying for child care by 2011, as compared with 2000 numbers. Download PDF
• Feb 07, 2006  |  Hannah Matthews and Danielle Ewen Understanding Early Care and Education Participation Among Immigrant Families: A Brief Children born to immigrant parents often face multiple risk factors that make their participation in quality early education programs particularly beneficial--yet these children appear less likely to participate in such programs. This two-page brief summarizes the 26-page paper, Reaching All Children? Understanding Early Care and Education Participation Among Immigrant Families, part of CLASP's Breaking Down Barriers project intended to better understand and remedy the barriers immigrant families face to accessing high-quality early education programs. Download PDF
• Jan 19, 2006  |  Hannah Matthews and Danielle Ewen Reaching All Children? Understanding Early Care and Education Participation Among Immigrant Families One in five children in the United States is the child of an immigrant. These children stand to benefit greatly from high-quality child care and early learning programs, yet appear less likely to participate in such programs. This paper summarizes evidence about the participation of young children of immigrants in early care and education programs as well as the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of immigrant families that likely influence participation. It then offers policy recommendations for state and local administrators of pre-kindergarten and other early care and education programs, and proposes areas for additional research. This paper is part of CLASP's Breaking Down Barriers project, which is supported by the Foundation for Child Development. Download PDF
• Nov 21, 2005  |  Katie Hamm and Danielle Ewen Still Going Strong: Head Start Children, Families, Staff, and Programs in 2004 As Congress considers legislation to reauthorize the federal Head Start program, this policy brief examines the latest data from the Program Information Reports that all Head Start grantees must submit to the U.S. Department of Health. In 2004, Head Start continued to provide early education services and medical, dental, and mental health screenings for poor children, as well as comprehensive supports for families. The number of teachers with degrees grew substantially in 2004--65 percent of teachers had an Associate's Degree or higher. Less than half of eligible children, however, receive Head Start services. Download PDF
• Jul 26, 2005  |  Katherine Hart and Rachel Schumacher Making the Case: Improving Head Start Teacher Qualifications Requires Increased Investment This policy paper, part of the Head Start Series, describes changes in Head Start teacher qualifications in light of recent policy history and assesses whether states and higher education systems are prepared for a major policy change requiring more teachers to have a B.A. It presents both relevant research and federal data from Head Start Program Information Reports (PIR) from 2002-2003. Download PDF
• Jul 14, 2005  |  Danielle Ewen Cost of Meeting House and Senate Proposed Head Start Teacher Qualification Requirements This analysis provides a preliminary estimate of the necessary level of funding needed to raise the degree qualifications to meet the requirements in the Head Start reauthorization legislation currently proposed in the House and Senate. CLASP's analysis demonstrates that it will cost at least $2.7 billion over six years to cover the cost of educating the necessary number of teachers in the House bill and raising their compensation to the levels of kindergarten teachers. To pay for the cost of the Senate requirements for increased education and raising compensation, CLASP estimates that it will cost as much as $3.4 billion over six years. Download PDF
• May 16, 2005  |  Rachel Schumacher, Danielle Ewen, Katherine Hart, and Joan Lombardi Policy Brief: All Together Now: State Experiences In Using Community-Based Child Care To Provide Pre-Kindergarten This brief is based on the 61-page report of the same name, which was commissioned by the Brookings Institution. It studies the emergence of the mixed delivery model, in which pre-kindergarten is delivered in community-based settings and schools. This policy brief, the fifth in the Child Care and Early Education Series, describes principal approaches to state implementation of the mixed delivery model but does not provide examples of state policies. See the full report for details about state policy choices. Download PDF
• May 09, 2005  |  Danielle Ewen and Katherine Beh Neas Preparing for Success: How Head Start Helps Children with Disabilities and Their Families In 2004, 13 percent of the children in Head Start and Early Head Start (more than 134,000 children) were diagnosed with a disability. Without Head Start, some of these children might have gone undiagnosed, leaving their disabilities unaddressed for years. This paper, a joint venture between CLASP and Easter Seals, updates data from a 2003 paper of the same title. It details the requirements that Head Start grantees must meet to serve children with disabilities and provides data on how the programs are meeting them. Download PDF
• Mar 30, 2005  |  Danielle Ewen, Jennifer Mezey, and Hannah Matthews Missed Opportunities: The Possibilities and Challenges of Funding High-quality Preschool through Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act This paper, funded by the Foundation for Child Development, provides general background on the legislation behind Title I and provides an overview of the available data on the use of Title I funds for preschool, as well as illustrative examples of how a few states and local communities have used Title I funds for these programs. It also examines the U.S. Department of Education's statutes, regulations, and guidance on the use of Title I funds for preschool and raises some unanswered questions. Finally, it discusses how the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act may affect the availability of Title I funding for preschool programs. Download PDF
• Feb 24, 2005  |  Rachel Schumacher, Danielle Ewen, Katherine Hart, and Joan Lombardi All Together Now: State Experiences in Using Community-Based Child Care to Provide Pre-Kindergarten This paper, commissioned by the Brookings Institution, studies the emergence of the mixed delivery model, in which pre-kindergarten is delivered in community-based settings and schools. It describes findings of CLASP survey of states that was undertaken to understand the policy choices, opportunities, and challenges of including community-based child care providers in their pre-kindergarten programs. Also, now available are individual detailed descriptions of each of the 29 states' responses to the CLASP survey on the state policies used to integrate pre-kindergarten into community-based child care settings. Download PDF
• Dec 28, 2004  |  Ron Haskins, Mark Greenberg, and Shawn Fremstad Federal Policy for Immigrant Children: Room for Common Ground? This policy brief, part of the Future of Children Policy Brief Series by the Brookings Institution, offers differing views from its authors on how to improve the well-being of children in immigrant families in the United States. Haskins emphasizes the need to tie public benefits for immigrant families to work through such policies as education and training and the earned income tax credit for families with children. While Greenberg and Fremstad argue that noncitizen families should have the same eligibility for public assistance as citizen families and support greater financial aid for early childhood education and other forms of schooling. Read Online
• Oct 07, 2004  |  Mark Greenberg and Hedieh Rahmanou Looking to the Future: A Commentary on Children of Immigrant Families This article, printed in Fall 2004 issue of The Future of Children, a publication of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, responds to the question: "How should policymakers, advocates, stakeholders, and practitioners respond strategically and proactively to demographic change and increasing diversity in order to promote the healthy development, productivity, and well-being of our nation's children into the future?" The entire journal issue is devoted to children of immigrant families and is available at www.futureofchildren.org. Download PDF
• Jun 23, 2004  |  Katherine Hart and Rachel Schumacher Moving Forward: Head Start Children, Families, and Programs in 2003 This eight-page policy brief, the fifth in a series, offers the latest data available from Program Information Reports submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by all federal Head Start grantees. In 2003, Head Start continued to serve a diverse population of low-income children, mostly in working families. Head Start provided early education and a range of services to poor children and their families, including developmental and mental health screenings and special education and early intervention services. In 2003, more Head Start children had access to continuous medical and dental care than in previous years. Early Head Start children showed a particularly dramatic increase in access to dental care, rising from 47 percent in 2002 to 64 percent in 2003. Download PDF
• Jan 28, 2004  |  Kate Irish, Rachel Schumacher, and Joan Lombardi Head Start Comprehensive Services: A Key Support for Early Learning for Poor Children This policy brief, the fourth in the Head Start Series, describes the comprehensive services Head Start children receive. It presents data from Head Start Program Information Reports (PIR) from the most recent program year, 20012002, and compares them, when possible, to national data on the services low-income children and families receive. Download PDF
• Dec 09, 2003  |  Jennifer Mezey, Katherine Beh Neas, and Kate Irish Policy Brief: Coming Together for Children with Disabilities: State Collaboration to Support Quality, Inclusive Child Care Families with children with disabilities have difficulty finding high-quality, appropriate child care for their childrenand this is particularly true for low-income families. This policy brief from CLASP and Easter Seals discusses the challenges these low-income families face; presents the findings of a survey of administrators of state child care and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act programs; explains the importance of collaboration among these programs; and suggests policy recommendations for federal and state governments. Download PDF
• Aug 18, 2003  |  Rachel Schumacher, Kate Irish, and Joan Lombardi Meeting Great Expectations: Integrating Early Education Program Standards in Child Care In order to achieve improved child outcomes, policymakers must invest in improved program standards in child care. This report, part of the Foundation for Child Development's Working Paper Series, examines three strategies in seven states that have integrated program standards into child care by directly tying standards to funding: the delivery of state pre-kindergarten (Georgia, New Jersey, and New York) and Head Start (Ohio, Oklahoma, and Oregon) in child care settings and the use of contracts including required standards with child care providers (California). These states are requiring participating child care providers to meet early education program standards that routinely exceed those required by state child care licensing rules. They are also providing additional monitoring, technical assistance, and fiscal resources to help participating programs meet these standards. Download PDF
• Aug 18, 2003  |  Rachel Schumacher, Kate Irish, Joan Lombardi Policy Brief: Meeting Great Expectations: Integrating Early Education Program Standards in Child Care This is the 8-page policy brief based on the report of the same name. Download PDF
• Jun 25, 2003  |  Kate Irish, Rachel Schumacher, and Joan Lombardi Serving Americas Youngest: A Snapshot of Early Head Start Children, Families, Teachers, and Programs in 2002 This policy brief, the third of a series of analyses of Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) data, offers the first detailed examination of Early Head Start PIR data from the most recently available program year, 2001-2002. While Head Start primarily serves low-income preschool children ages 3-5, the Early Head Start program, created in 1995, serves low-income infants and toddlers (birth to age three) and pregnant women. This brief describes the unique features of the Early Head Start program and places them in the context of the overall Head Start program. Download PDF
• May 21, 2003  |  Rachel Schumacher Family Support and Parent Involvement in Head Start: What Do Head Start Program Performance Standards Require? Head Start programs provide early childhood education, comprehensive services, and family support to more than 900,000 low-income children and their families. This brief paper describes specific requirements in Head Start Program Performance Standards to involve parents in programs and to provide or link families to support services, and it provides data on family support and involvement in Head Start programs in 2002. Download PDF
• May 16, 2003  |  Rachel Schumacher and Kate Irish Whats New in 2002? A Snapshot of Head Start Children, Families, Teachers, and Programs This year, Congress is scheduled to reauthorize Head Start, a federal-to-local grant program for the provision of early childhood education, comprehensive services, and family support to poor preschool children and their families. This policy brief, the second in a series of analyses of Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) data by CLASP, describes the picture for Head Start children, families, teachers, and programs in the 2001-2002 program year, highlighting new data never gathered before for the PIR. The 2002 PIR data confirm that Head Start serves a diverse population of low-income children and families. Most of these families are working poor, with minimum education levels. These children and families receive a variety of family support and comprehensive services through Head Start and through coordination with available services in their communities. The 2002 PIR data provide helpful contextual information as the reauthorization of Head Start moves forward. Download PDF
• May 15, 2003  |  Rachel Schumacher Promoting the Health of Poor Preschool Children: What Do Federal Head Start Performance Standards Require? Head Start programs provide early childhood education, comprehensive services, and family support to more than 900,000 low-income children and their families. This brief paper describes the specific Head Start requirements for the provision of health screenings, follow-up, and linkages to services to participating children and their families and provides data on health services provided to Head Start children and families in 2002. Download PDF
• May 05, 2003  |  Mark Greenberg and Rachel Schumacher Financing Universal Pre-Kindergarten: Possibilities and Technical Issues for States in Using Funds Under the Child Care and Development Fund and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant In recent years, states and localities have become increasingly interested in providing universal access to pre-Kindergarten (pre-K). Two principal federal funding streams available to states that are traditionally used for child care under certain conditions may also be used for such an initiative: the Child Care and Development Fund and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant. This report summarizes what is clear and what is unclear about the extent to which each of the funding streams could be used in support of universal pre-K initiatives. Download PDF
• Apr 04, 2003  |  Rachel Schumacher, Kate Irish, Mark H. Greenberg Policy Brief: Untapped Potential? How States Contract Directly with Providers to Shore Up Child Care Choices This is the 8-page policy brief based on the report of the same name. Download PDF
• Apr 04, 2003  |  Rachel Schumacher, Kate Irish, and Mark H. Greenberg Report: Untapped Potential? How States Contract Directly with Providers to Shore Up Child Care Choices for Low-Income Families States currently have the flexibility to contract directly with providers to make child care available to low-income families. According to this first national study of state child care contracting policies, states are using contracts to increase the supply of child care in certain high-need areas, to provide child care to special populations, and to improve the quality of child care program standards and services. Although nearly half the states use contracts to shore up child care supply for low-income families, the full potential of contracting has not yet been tapped. Download PDF
• Mar 10, 2003  |  Rachel Schumacher and Tanya Rakpraja A Snapshot of Head Start Children, Families, Teachers, and Programs: 1997 and 2001 With the federal Head Start program scheduled for reauthorization by Congress in 2003, there is a need to understand what the program and the children and families it serves look like today and how they have changed since the last reauthorization in 1998. This policy brief, the first in a series of analyses of Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) data by CLASP, compares key PIR data from the most recently available program year, 2000-2001, with data from the 1996-1997 program year. Download PDF
• Dec 01, 2002  |  Rachel Schumacher, Jennifer Mezey, and Mark Greenberg Analysis of Potential Barriers to Creating Coordinated Absence Policies for Collaborations Between Head Start and CCDF and TANF-Funded Programs This report, commissioned by the Southern Institute on Children and Families, analyzes the statutory and regulatory provisions relevant to child absence policies in Head Start and in child care funded under the Child Care and Development Fund and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grants. It discusses some practical considerations for states interested in adopting coordinated absence policies. An appendix provides additional detail about current law and provides examples of current absence policy practices in the Southern states. Download PDF
• Jun 03, 2002  |  Nisha Patel, Mark Greenberg, Steve Savner, and Vicki Turetsky Making Ends Meet: Six Programs That Help Working Families and Employers. A Guide for Business Leaders and Policymakers This new report, originally developed for a meeting cosponsored by the Welfare to Work Partnership, provides information on six work support programs: the Earned Income Tax Credit, child care, Food Stamps, health care, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and child support. It explains how each program promotes financial security for low-income families, as well as employment retention, which benefits both working families and their employers. The guide also describes barriers to program participation for eligible workers and offers resources for business leaders and policymakers about strategies to overcome these barriers. Download PDF
• Apr 01, 2001  |  Rachel Schumacher, Mark Greenberg, and Joan Lombardi State Initiatives to Promote Early Learning: Next Steps in Coordinating Subsidized Child Care, Head Start, and State Prekindergarten States often struggle with two key social goals: the need to promote school readiness for children and the need to support working families given increasing labor force participation among mothers with young children. This paper describes the challenges states face in addressing these issues, responses to these challenges, and recommendations for the future. The findings of the paper are based on examinations of three states with significant experience in developing a major early education initiative and coordination of subsidized child care, Head Start, and state prekindergarten systems. The profiled state initiatives are the Georgia Prekindergarten Program, Massachusetts' Community Partnerships for Children Initiative, and Ohio's state funding of Head Start and expansion of Head Start partnerships with child care programs. Download PDF
• Feb 15, 2001  |  Rachel Schumacher TANF and School Age Care: Opportunities and Challenges TANF and School Age Care: Opportunities and Challenges, is a slide presentation by Rachel Schumacher that outlines how federal TANF funds may be used to fund child care services particularly aimed at school age children, and describes some current state and county efforts to do so. Download PDF
• Feb 15, 2001  |  Rachel Schumacher and Mark Greenberg Using TANF for Child Care: A Technical Guide A slide presentation that outlines how federal TANF and state maintenance of effort (MOE) funds can be used to fund child care services, describes trends in use of TANF for child care in 1999 and 2000, and suggests steps toward understanding and accessing TANF funds in a state. Download PDF
• Jun 15, 2000  |  Mark Greenberg, Joan Lombardi, and Rachel Schumacher The Child Care and Development Fund: An Overview Provides an explanation of the provisions of the major federal block grant available to states to provide subsidized child care to low-income families and to improve the quality of child care. Download PDF