From Barriers to Opportunity: Confronting Systemic Barriers to Early Childhood and Poverty-Reduction Programs
This report from EdTrust-New York highlights a crisis in childcare availability, with more than 60% of New York classified as a childcare desert. Recent improvements to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) have not significantly increased accessibility, as families still encounter complex application processes and stringent eligibility requirements. Many parents struggle to find available slots or are unaware of available programs altogether.
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PDG B-5 SMART Grant: Resource Guide
Planning Tool October 28, 2026
This guide is for states applying for the 2026 PDG B-5 SMART Grant. It gathers vetted, mostly federal resources and organizes them by section of the application. The guide covers data infrastructure and data-sharing agreements, and each of the four cross-system scoring areas: Head Start integration, program integrity, unduplicated counts, and child welfare coordination. It also covers building a project performance evaluation plan. The October 2026 webinar recording and slides are included. The guide was compiled by the National TA Collaborative to Maximize Federal Early Childhood Investments.
Video: PDG B-5 SMART Grant Application
Archived Webinar October 28, 2026
In this October 2026 webinar recording, the National TA Collaborative to Maximize Federal Early Childhood Investments gives an overview of the PDG B-5 SMART Grant. Presenters show how to pick the investment option that fits your state and share tips for scoping a feasible 12-month project. They also cover managing the writing process, meeting the match requirement, and the ACF priorities attestation, and close with a Q&A. Applications are due November 20.
Webinar Deck: PDG B-5 SMART Grant Application
Archived Meeting Resources October 28, 2026
This deck is from the National TA Collaborative to Maximize Federal Early Childhood Investments’ October 2026 webinar on the PDG B-5 SMART Grant. Presenters gave an overview of the grant, showed how to pick the investment option that fits your state, and offered tips for scoping a feasible 12-month project. They also covered managing the writing process, meeting the match requirement, and the ACF priorities attestation. Applications are due November 20.