The Arkansas Department of Education announced today that Arkansas has been awarded a Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families.
The award will provide $14.75 million over the next year, and aims to help to continue the implementation of LEARNS, building on existing efforts towards a unified early childhood system. This includes sustaining and expanding local leads’ work, supporting the Early Childhood Education workforce and improving data systems.
“By strengthening coordination across our early childhood system and expanding access to high-quality programs, we are investing in the long-term success of children, families and communities” Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva. said in a press release. “The PDG allows us to accelerate the work already underway, making sure every child, no matter their zip code, has the foundation they need to thrive.”
As part of the grant, ADE will work to ensure the plan reflects local priorities and current context by collaborating with partners statewide, including families, early childhood educators, providers, Head Start, local lead organizations, school districts and community organizations.
“As a Local Lead in Southeast Arkansas, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how a unified early childhood system is laying a strong foundation for children’s success in school and life,” Jessica Griffin, local lead for the Southeast Educational Service Cooperative, said in the release. “When children have access to quality programs from the start, they thrive both academically and emotionally. Working with providers and families, I have seen how our entire community benefits from quality programs.”
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