Strengthening Children, Youth and Families

Resources & Publications: Infants and Toddlers

Summary | Headlines Only

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
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
Oct 01, 2012 | Child Care and Early Education Tennessee: Monitoring and Technical Assistance System In Tennessee, safety concerns along with increasing need among low-income, working families for quality child care, prompted the state to revamp its monitoring system and enact other licensing reforms. The state has worked to strengthen its child care licensing rules, as well as implement a policy that increased the frequency of inspections to better monitor providers and required annual evaluations of providers to improve the quality of care. Read Online
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
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
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 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
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
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 | 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 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
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
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
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 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 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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 | 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 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
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 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
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 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 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
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 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 | 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
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 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 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
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
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 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
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 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
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 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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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