Investing ARP and PDG funds to address the Early Childhood Workforce Shortage
The Office of Early Childhood Development (ECD), along with the Office of Child Care and Office of Head Start, in the Administration for Children and Families, released a Dear Colleague letter (Investing ARP and PDG funds to address the Early Childhood Workforce Shortage) that urges states, communities, and local programs to take bold actions to invest the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act funds and other sources of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) relief funding to address the current early childhood (EC) workforce shortage. The letter includes specific suggestions on how ARP Act funds can be used and an appendix with state and local program examples as well as links to Federal resources that will be highlighted on the ECD website.
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Leading an Early Childhood Team Through the Quality Improvement Process
Article October 7, 2026
Published in Young Children, this 2024 article provides an operational guide for aligning state QIS requirements with broader national standards, quality grants, and staff incentives.
Much-Needed Changes in Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement Systems Should Promote Equity
Blog October 7, 2026
Blog authors Gina Adams and Danielle Ewen outline systemic flaws in traditional models. This 2024 blog details how traditional QRIS frameworks often inadequately support parents, underinvest in actual center improvement, and inadvertently exacerbate funding inequalities among diverse childcare providers.
Four Trends in Early Care and Education Quality Rating and Improvement Systems
Fact Sheet October 7, 2026
This 2024 brief evaluates Parent Aware (Minnesota's system) and synthesizes interviews across six states (Delaware, Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington). It identifies critical, modern pathways for administrators looking to overhaul and redesign state frameworks.