New Brief: Using Discretionary Funds To Increase Access to Inclusive Environments

From the National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance (NCECQA)

The National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance (NCECQA) is pleased to share a new brief, Increasing Access to Inclusive Environments. This brief provides research to support the need for and benefits of inclusive environments, descriptors of each of the four strategies for increasing access, state examples for review, and resources.

As states, territories, and Tribes consider avenues to increase access to early childhood (EC) programs for families of children with disabilities, teaming and collaborating across EC education sectors is critical to support families. American Rescue Plan Act Child Care Stabilization Grant discretionary funds can be used to implement grants and contracts, expand supports for family child care providers, increase accessibility to professional development opportunities for providers, and provide accessible resources and outreach to families.

For more information or to inquire about technical assistance regarding inclusion, contact NCECQA at QualityAssuranceCenter@ecetta.info.

This document was written in collaboration by the National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance and Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. The authors gratefully acknowledge reviews by and contributions from the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs and Head Start Disabilities Coordinator.