Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey expressed, “Alabama children deserve the best start possible, and these funds will help us support early childhood educators in an efficient, developmentally-appropriate way … This grant will support the scaling of high-quality programs of early childhood care and education, so we can ensure our children are prepared for further education, a career and a lifetime of success.”
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee stated, “The strength of our early childhood sector has direct impacts on our core goals to increase educational achievement to Massachusetts’ level by 2030 and to increase incomes across the state … With this planning grant, we will be able to build on our momentum and ensure our state is in a strong position to implement best practices in the future.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis emphasized, “These important resources will help support my budget proposals to expand pre-school in Colorado and improve the quality of early childhood education. This grant will also support providers’ effective practices, better connect families to needed services, and prepare our children for the classroom and the future.”
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster highlighted, “We know South Carolina’s young people are our greatest asset. This new planning grant award allows our state to continue coordinated efforts to give them the best possible start for a bright future, and that means a bright future for the state as a whole.”
The Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) program, as the only federal funding stream dedicated to building state-level early childhood systems, plays a crucial role in improving, streamlining, and coordinating the nation’s fragmented early care and education landscape. The program, first authorized in 2015 under the Every Student Succeeds Act, allocates funds to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for states and territories to enhance coordination among existing programs and invest in high-need areas.
PDG B-5 offers planning and renewal grants to support states and territories in conducting needs assessments and strategic planning. Notably, since 2018, 54 states and territories have received planning grants, and 48 have received renewal grants, showcasing bipartisan support for the program. The grants help states address gaps in early childhood systems and improve services for young children and families.
States like Kansas, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Ohio are utilizing PDG B-5 funding for various initiatives such as reducing regulatory burdens, developing integrated systems of programs and services, establishing early childhood departments, and supporting partnerships between providers and businesses to enhance workforce development.
In conclusion, the PDG B-5 program is a valuable federal investment in strengthening state early childhood systems and promoting quality and coordination across programs. The grants play a significant role in helping states achieve positive outcomes for children and families, highlighting the importance of continued funding to build comprehensive early childhood systems nationwide.
