Early Childhood Development (ECD)

ECD Releases New IM on Supporting Food Security and Access to Indigenous Foods for Children and Families in Tribal Early Childhood Programs

The Office of Child Care, Office of Early Childhood Development, and the Office of Head Start published a joint Information Memorandum that details ways that ACF's early childhood funds may be used to connect young children and families with traditional Indigenous foods and food practices, including CCDF, AIAN Head Start, and Tribal MIECHV.

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PDG B-5 Report to Congress

The Office of Early Childhood Development has released its Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five Report to Congress. The report includes information on the PDG initiative, highlighting 2023 activities, and how the funds granted under section 9212 have been utilized by states to better allocate resources.

View the Report (PDF — 392.62 KB)

ECD Releases New Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Funding Compendium

The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Funding Compendium aims to help states, territories, Tribes, and local communities make full use of existing federal resources to meet the mental health needs of young children and their families.

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New Policy Guidance for States, Tribes, Territories, and Local Early Childhood Programs

The Office of Early Childhood Development released new policy guidance for states, Tribes, territories, and local early childhood programs to promote mental health & wellness of children, families, and the early care & education workforce. The four new information memoranda recommend strategies to advance mental health promotion in the Child Care & Development Fund, Head Start, Preschool Development Grant, Birth through Five, & Tribal Home Visiting Programs.

View the Information Memoranda's (IMs)

ECD prioritizes early childhood development across ACF programs through collaboration and leveraging partnership opportunities through programs, policy and technical assistance.

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