Early Childhood Needs Assessment and Draft Strategic Plan Released

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Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) is pleased to partner with the Virginia Department of Education in implementing the $9.9 million federal Preschool Development Grant Birth to Five awarded to Virginia earlier this year. Through this grant, Virginia seeks to understand the current state of early care and education and what it will take to provide children with quality care, support, and a strong start in life.
 
Today, critical first steps in this process - a statewide Needs Assessment and Draft Strategic Plan - were released.
 
The comprehensive Needs Assessment combines national and state findings, administrative and demographic data, interviews with families of young children, and focus groups with child care providers and educators to examine and describe the children under age five and the resources and systems for public early care and education in Virginia. From this extensive analysis, the report identifies key gaps and opportunities for improvement. 
 
Building on this solid understanding and documentation of Virginia’s needs around early care and education, a Draft Strategic Plan outlining Virginia’s goals and vision for young children was developed in partnership with diverse stakeholders and with guidance from the School Readiness Committee and its Impact Workgroup.
 
The Draft Strategic Plan sets out goals around equitable access, family engagement, workforce quality, accountability and local capacity and innovation. To facilitate feedback on this important guiding document, public comments can be submitted through August 31 at info@vecf.org.
 
We hope you will take a moment to learn about and offer your thoughts regarding Virginia’s needs, opportunities and vision for shaping an equitable system for young children and their families.

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Early Childhood Early Intervention Preschool Professional Resources