Purpose
Maryland is one of 59 projects, nationwide, that has received a federal Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems grant to conduct planning, and needs assessment to develop a system for early childhood. The purpose of this initiative is to strengthen Maryland’s early childhood services for young children and their families by developing a comprehensive, integrated approach to the coordination of these services. The planning process will produce a strategic plan, that will be included in Maryland’s Early Childhood Advisory Council’s state plan for school readiness. The federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau in the Department of Health and Human Services specifies that this early childhood plan is to provide leadership and support to the state’s current partnerships. This plan must coordinate efforts to build early childhoodservices that will enhance a child’s ability to enter school ready to learn as well as support the blending and braiding of systems of care for young children and their families.
Studies show that 90 percent of brain growth occurs between ages 0 and 5, yet 90 percent of Maryland’s public spending on education occurs AFTER age 5. We must provide Maryland’s children with the very best possible start in life by supporting our youngest citizens.
This grant supports Maryland’s efforts to implement a comprehensive early childhood system in that will:
- Promote the health and well-being of young children,
- Prepare young children to enter school, ready and able to learn,
- Reduce gaps in our current services, and
- Improve the coordination of existing services.
Want additional information related to this grant?
Please contact the program administrator:
Mary LaCasse, M.S., Ed
Early Childhood Program Administrator
201 West Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-767-6753
Mary.Lacasse@Maryland.gov