In 2021, multiple Rhode Island organizations came together to announce a new Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) for Family Child Care (FCC) providers. This program represents a partnership between four parties: the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), which sets the quality standards of care; Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199 NE, which represents the bargaining unit of the FCC Providers; the SEIU Education and Support Fund, which is sponsoring the registered apprenticeship and will play an integral role as an education provider; and Family Child Care Providers, an essential representative in the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee that oversees the registered apprenticeship program, ensuring the program meets the needs of providers seeking to advance their education, professional development and earnings opportunities. FCC providers are sole proprietors that through SEIU collectively bargain with DHS on reimbursement rates. The program aims to address the significant barriers FCC providers face to earn a Childhood Development Associate certification (CDA), which helps increase providers’ earnings and QRIS ratings. RAP is an 18-month program that provides on-the-job training for new apprentices while earning a CDA and receiving incremental wage increases. The program is funded by the US Department of Labor/Employment and Training Association American Apprenticeship Initiative. Learn more: Building Futures Rhode Island Sources: Building Futures Rhode Island. (2021). New, Innovative Early Childhood Educator Registered Apprenticeship for Family Child Care Providers.

In 2022, the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office (CCPO) offered $3,000 payments to eligible early childhood teachers. To be eligible, educators were required to have a current/active membership in the Alaska SEED Registry; be employed in a licensed program; and be at any Career Ladder level (1-12). These awards represented an increase from the $500 per-person awards available in 2021. All SEED ROOTS awards were available on a first-come, first-served basis through an online application process. This program was funded by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. Learn More: Alaska SEED ROOTs Award Sources: Thread. (2022). Alaska SEED ROOTs Award. Department of Health. (2023). Alaska COVID-19 Relief Timeline. US Department of Health and Human Services. (2022). Examples of State and Local Early Childhood Workforce Strategies.

Wisconsin's REWARD program provides supplemental pay to early childhood educators based on their education level and commitment to their early education program. REWARD is designed to retain and support the professional development of early childhood educators; in turn, this creates a more stable workforce with the skills needed to support young children's healthy learning and development. Supplements range from $500 to $1,900 per educator per year, with an average payment of $615. Amounts increase as educators obtain more formal education, and educators must remain in their early education program for at least six months to qualify for an award. In FY22, REWARD provided supplements to 11,381 early educators; turnover among recipients was 1%, which is much lower than the estimated 26-40% turnover rate among educators in licensed child care programs nationwide. Learn More: REWARD Program Sources:Wisconsin AEYC. (n.d.). REWARD Wisconsin.

Established in 2016, the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services’ Data Ecosystem is a comprehensive health integrated data system that includes vital records, child welfare services, and early childhood services (e.g., home visiting, early intervention, child care subsidy, and Head Start). The system functions as a series of data requests and data-sharing agreements across multiple programs and multiple agencies, including the Department of Education. The system shares demographic, program, and individual level data using a unique identifier. The system is funded through federal Medicaid funds, Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act funds, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants, Preschool Development Grants Birth Through 5, CARES Act funds, and the CDC Health Disparities grant program. Learn more: About the Rhode Island Ecosystem Sources:Berkowitz, E. & Jenkins, D. (2021). AISP Case Study: How the Rhode Island EOHHS Ecosystem Leverages Federal Funding to Support State Data Capacity. Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy. University of Pennsylvania.

First in 2006, and then again in a 2014 reauthorization that extends through 2026, voters approved an allocation of 0.15 percent of sales and use taxes for the Denver Preschool Program (DPP). About 80% of the DPP funds go to families in the form of tuition credits. Learn More/source: Denver Preschool Program

In 2009, in an initiative called "SA 2020," Mayor Julián Castro asked San Antonio residents to consider what they wanted their community to look like in 10 years. To consider where the city should put its resources to achieve their collective vision, Castro established the Brainpower Initiative Task Force, composed of business and community leaders and scholars. This task force recommended that the city fund high-quality prekindergarten for children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. In 2012, 54% of San Antonio voters approved a referendum to fund Pre-K 4 SA through a one-eighth-cent sales tax. Annually, the tax raises $36 million for preschool funding each year. Learn More: Pre-K 4 SA

In July 2022, Mayor London Breed launched the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood (DEC), dedicating $300 million annually to support the city’s goal of providing universal early education and care to all young children. The bulk of the revenue comes from the Commercial Rents Tax (also referred to as the Early Care and Education Commercial Rents Tax). DEC is the result of a merger of two existing city departments, First 5 and the Office of Early Care and Education. Learn more/source: San Francisco Department of Early Childhood

In 2004, San Francisco voters approved the ballot measure Proposition H by 71%, establishing the Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF) as law within the City Charter. The PEEF supports the design and implementation of diverse educational programs for San Francisco’s youth, and is funded annually by the City of San Francisco’s discretionary General Fund. One-third of the PEEF—approximately $20 million per year—is allocated to expanding and supporting early care and education programs in San Francisco. In the years following Proposition H’s passage, funds were distributed to First 5 San Francisco to create Preschool for All (PFA), with the goal of ensuring that all San Francisco four-year-olds could attend high-quality preschool. In July 2015, administration of these funds was transferred from First 5 San Francisco to the city’s Office of Early Care and Education, which has used the funds to expand access to preschool for children between the ages of three and five years who are city residents.  The remaining two-thirds of the Public Education Enrichment Fund is allocated to the San Francisco Unified School District.  LEARN MORE: PUBLIC EDUCATION ENRICHMENT FUND (PEEF) Sources: San Francisco Unified School District. (n.d.). Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF) City of San Francisco. (n.d.). Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF). San Francisco Human Services Agency. (2016). San Francisco Citywide Plan for Early Care and Education.

In August 2022, Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS) opened a low-cost early learning center to serve children of district employees between the ages of 12 months and three years. The center was created with, and is now supported by, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding and a state subsidy for licensed child care providers.   The SFPS Early Childhood Center is licensed by the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department, and is located in a district elementary school. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., five days a week, and aligns with the SFPS school-year calendar for teachers. Forty-four seats are available, with 12 for 12-month-old children, 16 for two-year-olds, and 16 for three-year-olds. Students are selected through a lottery system.  Of the 44 available seats, 70% are offered to district teachers and 30% to district staff. Monthly costs range from $150 a month for educational support professionals to $250 a month for teachers, administrators, and district staff.  Program leaders hope that the SFPS Early Childhood Center will assist with employee retention across the district and demonstrate a firm commitment to staff well-being.  learn more: santa fe public schools early childhood center Sources: Dynarski, C. (2022, April 8). SFPS to Open SFPS Early Childhood Center for Employees’ Children. Santa Fe Public Schools. Santa Fe Public Schools. (n.d.). SFPS Early Childhood Center.

In February 2023, the Oregon State Legislature passed SB 599, requiring landlords to allow child care providers to operate in rental properties if tenants meet certain requirements. The bill drew bipartisan support and passed by a large margin. Legislators aimed to ameliorate the state’s shortage of child care options, particularly in rural areas. The law went into effect on January 1, 2024.   To operate in a rental property, tenants must be registered child care providers with the state. Tenants must also tell the landlord that they plan to use the rental unit for child care services.  SB 599 also restricts landlords from raising rent, terminating a tenancy, or taking other retaliatory actions against tenants who choose to operate a family child care program in their rental unit.  learn more: sb 599 Sources: Botkin, B. (2023, February 15). Senate passes bill that’s expected to expand child care options in the state. Oregon Capital Chronicle. S.B. 599, 82nd Oregon Legislative Assembly. (2023).

In 2018, Seattle instituted a 1.75 cents per ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, which benefits multiple municipal programs, including the Seattle Preschool Program. In FY2020, the fund produced almost $5 million to invest in early learning and child development programs. Learn More/Source: Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax

In December 2023, the Harris County Commissioners Court approved $17.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the Supportive, Healthy, Innovative, Nurturing Environments (SHINE CCFF) initiative. A collaboration between the Low Income Invest Fund (LIIF), Volunteers of America Texas, LiftFund, and the Harris County Commissioners Court, SHINE CCFF helps providers with construction, remodeling, and expansion projects for the spaces where they offer early learning and care.   SHINE CCFF awards grants to expand or rehabilitate both home and center-based early education facilities and offers free technical assistance to help providers assess a project’s feasibility and apply for the grant. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, physical facility and site renovation costs, equipment necessary for health and safety, playground equipment, security upgrades, and parking improvements. Eligible expenses also include improvements that increase a program’s ADA accessibility for children, parents, guardians, or staff with special physical or mental health needs. The maximum grant is $200,000 for centers licensed for up to fifty children, $400,000 for centers licensed for more than fifty children, and $40,000 for home-based providers.  The program prioritizes applicants with urgent needs, programs where at least 20% of enrolled children receive Child Care Services or scholarships from the Harris County Early REACH program, providers serving infants and toddlers, and programs in an area that has a Social Vulnerability Index score of .75 or above, among other factors. SHINE CCFF aims to award all grants by March 2025. All projects must be completed by September 2026.  learn more: shine child care facilities fund Sources: Harris County SHINE Child Care Facilities Fund. (n.d.). Program Overview. Harris County Office of County Administration. (n.d.). Shine Child Care Facilities Fund.