Early Childhood Programs: State and Local Examples

The following resources include reports and evaluations from state and local early childhood programs.

Cuyahoga County Early Childhood Initiative Evaluation: Phase II Final Report
Coulton & Fischer (2005)
Describes findings and recommends strategies to address ongoing challenges experienced by an initiative in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, to improve the well-being of the youngest members of the greater Cleveland community. The three goals of the initiative were to promote effective parenting, ensure children access to health care, and guarantee the availability of quality child care.

Early Care and Education State Budget Actions FY 2011 (PDF - 3410 KB)
National Conference of State Legislatures (2011)
Presents an overall analysis of decisions made in child care subsidy programs, State prekindergarten programs, home visiting funding, and appropriations to any other early childhood initiatives that States identify, as well as highlights from State appropriations.

Early Outcomes for Programs and Families in Children's Futures (PDF - 932 KB)
Walker, Daly, McMaken, & Pouncy (2010)
Examines outcomes for families served by an early childhood initiative in Trenton, NJ, and addresses issues related to cost, partnership development, and sustainability of the Children's Futures program. The report pays particular attention to efforts to improve home visiting, child care, and preventive medical care.

Increasing State Investments in Early Care and Education: Lessons Learned From Advocates and Best Practices (PDF - 1200 KB)
Voices for America's Children (2008)
Profiles efforts in 10 States to increase investments in early childhood and details the common advocacy strategies that proved most successful.

Investing in Early Childhood: A Road Map to Economic Success for Louisiana (PDF - 1830 KB)
Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families (2009)
Recommends strategies for improving supports for children and families in health, education, social-emotional development, parenting education, and family support. For each area, the report provides background information, the current financial burden on the State, recommended actions, cost of the recommendations, and expected outcomes.

Strengthening Families Around the Nation: States
Center for the Study of Social Policy
Provides a snapshot of States' efforts to implement the Strengthening Families approach, and analyzes successes, challenges, and next steps. The report addresses topics such as engaging child welfare systems, cross-system planning, parent engagement and leadership, and professional development.

New York State Early Childhood Plan: Ensuring a Great Start for Every Child (PDF - 1250 KB)
New York State Council on Children and Families (2009)
Presents a plan to integrate and strengthen New York's early childhood system by addressing 10 objectives focused on four major goals: healthy children, strong families, early learning, and supportive communities and coordinated systems.

Nurture for Their Future: The Importance of Strengthening Young Children's Relationships With Parents and Caregivers (PDF - 982 KB)
Voices for Illinois Children (2004)
Addresses strategies for Illinois to implement to strengthen parent-child attachments, support children with special needs, and improve early childhood programs.

An Overview of Puerto Rico's Early Childhood Public Policy
National Council of La Raza (2009)
Describes the seven elements of Puerto Rico's early childhood public policy, which can serve as a vehicle for developing and implementing programs that contribute to the early care of children and improve their living conditions.