Idaho Preschool Development Birth through Five (PDG-B-5) - Idaho’s PDG B-5 Systems-Building grant will help Idaho move from a set of strong but fragmented early childhood initiatives to a coherent statewide early care and education (ECE) system that maximizes seamless access and choice for families with children from birth through age five. The project will be administered by Idaho State University (ISU), designated as the state entity responsible for executing and managing the award, in close partnership with state agencies, Head Start and Early Head Start grantees, foster/kinship care services/systems, local school districts, faith-based organizations, Tribal governments, business leaders, and community-based partners. In addition to tracking and evaluation efforts, the two primary components of the Idaho Birth-through-Five Systems Integration Project include: 1) reviewing/updating the Statewide ECE Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan, and 2) promoting Outcome Strategies to Advance PDG B-5 Program Priorities and Critical Elements. Idaho has identified four Critical Strategies to enhance this Systems-Building work including: 1) Idaho’s Early Learning Collaborative System, 2) Family and Community Engagement, 3) Early Care and Education Program Sustainability, and 4) Early Care and Education Quality Enhancement. Embedded in these four Critical Strategies are the following projects that engage cross sector implementation through strategic partnerships: 1) READY! for Kindergarten®, 2) Strong Families/Strong Educators, 3) Child Care Management System, 4) Child Care Roundtables and Seminars, 5) Business and Economic Leadership Engagement, 6) Higher Education Scholarships for ECE Professionals, 7) Support for the Child Development Associate Credential, 8) Emerging ECE Leaders Project, 9) Positive Behavioral Supports, 10) Developmental Monitoring Outreach, 11) Access to Quality ECE Furniture, Equipment, Materials, and Supplies, and 12) Enhancement of Outdoor Early Learning Environments.
