Missouri

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Policy Strategies & Innovations Link copied!

Innovation Name Innovation Type Innovation Subtype Features at a Glance Strategy Summary
Missouri’s Early Childhood Integrated Data System Infrastructure Systems Data Systems

Early Childhood Integrated Data System

Established in 2021, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Early Childhood Integrated Data Systemfunctions as a warehouse for early childhood data. The system collects, stores, and maintains demographic and program information on young children’s development and participation in early childhood programs. Data is gathered from Children’s Trust Fund programs (e.g., Home Visiting) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (e.g., First Steps Early Intervention, Home Visiting Programs, Public Preschool, state-funded Early Head Start). While the data is currently internal to these agencies, the system will link with the state’s Statewide Longitudinal Data System for public use in the future.

The system is supported by the federal Preschool Development Birth through 5 Grant.

Learn more: Missouri Division of Early Childhood

Sources: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (n.d.). Preschool Development Grant B-5
LUME Early Childhood Apprenticeship Workforce Apprenticeships

State-funded program

Established in 2016, Lume’s Early Childhood Apprenticeship allows participants to receive certification as a Child Development Associate after two years of training. The Lume Institute at University City Children’s Center, in partnership with the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE), has developed the Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship program. SLATE provides financial support for apprenticeship training, and participants are trained by the Lume Institute. The apprenticeship begins with 135 hours (5 weeks) of early childhood teacher training with participants hired as an Early Childhood Worker at a rate of $9.50 per hour. This training is followed by 480 hours of on-the-job training, after which participants receive a Child Development Associate credential and can be promoted to an Assistant Teacher position earning at least $10.50 per hour. After another 1.5 years of work/training experience, apprentices receive the Department of Labor certification as a Childhood Development Associate, resulting in wages of at least $13 per hour.

Learn more: Lume Institute

Sources:

Lume Institute. (n.d.). Workforce Development. City of St. Louis, Missouri. (n.d.).

LUME Early Childhood.
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Demographics Link copied!

State population

6,177,957 Source U.S. Census, 2022

Rural %

30.5% Source U.S. Census, 2020

Urban %

69.5% Source U.S. Census, 2020

Number of children age 0-4

360,045 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Poverty levels – children 0-8 below 200% poverty

40% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Median family income among households with children

$78,800.00 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Unemployment rate

2.8 Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 2022

Unemployment rate of parents

3% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force

71% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Children living in households with a high housing cost burden

22% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

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Child population by race and ethnicity Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Race and Ethnicity

  • American Indian and Alaska Native (.5%)
  • Asian (2%)
  • Black or African American (13%)
  • Hispanic or Latino (7%)
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (.5%)
  • Two or More Races (5%)
  • White, not Hispanic or Latino (72%)
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Political Landscape Link copied!

Year20232022202120202019
GovernorRRRRR
HouseRRRRR
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Source: Ballotpedia 2023

Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!

Public pre-K program name

Missouri Pre-K Foundation Formula Source: NIEER 2023

Universal or targeted

Targeted Pre-K Policy (4-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023

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Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

Programs

  • 3-year-old children enrolled in state-funded public pre-K (1%)
  • 3-year-old children enrolled in Head Start (8%)
  • Other/none (91%)
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Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

Programs

  • 4-year-old children enrolled in state-funded public pre-K (6%)
  • 4-year-old children enrolled in Head Start (6%)
  • Other/none (88%)
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Workforce Link copied!

2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018, 2020

Role

  • Child care workers
  • Preschool teachers
  • Preschool or child care center directors
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Funding Sources Link copied!

Federal and State Early Childhood Education Funding (in millions) Source First Five Years Fund, 2022

Funding source

  • Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($180.3)
  • CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($159.8)
  • CCDBG State Match ($12.6)
  • CCDBG COVID Relief Allocations – CARES, CRRSE, ARPA (CCDF & Stabilization) ($973.0)
  • State-Funded Pre-K ($24.8)
  • MIECHV ($3.8)
  • IDEA Part C ($12.3)
  • IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($9.5)
  • TANF Early Learning and Care Expenditures ($27.5)
  • Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five ($14.5)
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Funding acronyms: CCDBG: Child Care and Development Block Grant; CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act; CRRSE Act: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations; ARPA: American Rescue Plan Act; CCDF: Child Care and Development Fund; MIECHV: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program; IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

The COVID Funding Cliff

All federal COVID relief allocations, including funding authorized by the CARES, CRRSE, and ARPA bills, must be fully spent by September 2024. An analysis from the Century Foundation shows this loss of funds could cause more than 3 million children to lose access to child care nationwide – including nearly 11,000 children in Missouri.

Learn More