Washington, D.C. — The U.S. early childhood system is complex, multifaceted, and chronically fragmented, which can discourage coordinated service delivery for important early education and family support programs. However, recent years have seen a wave of states taking legislative action to consolidate their programs under one central governing umbrella.
A new Center for American Progress analysis offers insight into these streamlining efforts by scrutinizing the specific state agencies and government bodies that oversee early childhood programs. The authors conducted a comprehensive scan of all 50 states and the District of Columbia to identify these overseeing agencies, conducting follow-up interviews with leadership in seven states spearheading consolidation.
Key takeaways from the report include:
- Consolidation efforts typically require longer, thoughtfully planned timelines.
- Leadership and support from some combination of the governor, legislators, advocates, and other stakeholders are crucial for successful consolidation.
- Dedicating an individual or team to oversee the consolidation effort and appointing a staff member to manage changes in culture and climate during implementation are crucial for success within departments.
- Communicating frequently with staff and external stakeholders is key to successful implementation.
- Creating a consolidated agency is not a silver bullet, but it can drive policies and enable decision-making to achieve and promote equity.
- Outcome data are valuable in sharing success stories.
“Early childhood programs often play a crucial role in setting young children on a strong trajectory—both in education and in life—but siloed, splintered government delivery systems mean states vary widely in how effectively they can administer these programs to families,” said Anna Lovejoy, director of Early Childhood Policy at CAP and co-author of the report. “Now, a number of states are working to address that.”
“Consolidating agencies helps emphasize early childhood as a key priority for governors and state legislators,” said Hailey Gibbs, associate director for Early Childhood Policy at CAP and co-author of the report. “It also improves coordination and collaboration, creating a more streamlined and effective system for children, families, educators, and providers.”
“As more and more states adopt simplified governance structures, data illustrating the impact of consolidation will show how these efforts help roll out much-needed resources, remove administrative barriers, and bring out the kinds of outcomes we know best support young children’s health and development,” said Allie Schneider, policy analyst for Early Childhood at CAP and co-author of the report.
Read the report: “States Seek To Improve Early Childhood Outcomes Through Consolidated Governance Structures” by Anna Lovejoy, Allie Schneider, and Hailey Gibbs
For more information or to speak with an expert, contact Mishka Espey at [email protected].