March 26, 2010

In this Issue

1. Keys to High-Quality Child Care for Infants and Toddlers
   Source: National Infant and Toddler Child Care Initiative - Retrieved March 26, 2010
2. Two New Pre-K Policy Briefs from the Education Law Center
   Source: Education Law Center - Retrieved March 26, 2010
3. Early Childhood Funding Opportunities
   Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Retrieved March 26, 2010

1. Keys to High-Quality Child Care for Infants and Toddlers
   Source: National Infant and Toddler Child Care Initiative - Retrieved March 26, 2010

   The National Infant and Toddler Child Care Initiative at ZERO TO THREE recently published a fact sheet entitled Keys to High-Quality Child Care for Infants and Toddlers (2010). It describes common elements found in the core knowledge and competencies (CKC) for early care and education professionals in 36 States, including special considerations for children with special needs and cultural diversity. It is available online at http://nitcci.nccic.acf.hhs.gov/resources/keys_to_hqccit.htm

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2. Two New Pre-K Policy Briefs from the Education Law Center
   Source: Education Law Center - Retrieved March 26, 2010

   The Education Law Center recently released the following two new policy briefs, with support from the Pew Charitable Trusts:

   • Including Children with Disabilities in State Pre-K Programs (February 2010)
     http://www.edlawcenter.org/ELCPublic/Publications/PDF/PreKPolicyBrief_InclusionChildrenWithDisabilities.pdf
     Provides an overview of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and recommends policies to help ensure that preschool-aged children with disabilities receive an appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.
   • Access to Pre-K Education Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (February 2010)
     http://www.edlawcenter.org/ELCPublic/Publications/PDF/PreKPolicyBrief_AccessToEducation.pdf
     Provides an overview of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and discusses policies that can help to increase the number of homeless children in pre-k programs.
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3. Early Childhood Funding Opportunities
   Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Retrieved March 26, 2010

   The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is presently accepting applications for the following two early childhood funding opportunities:

   • National Head Start Fellowships Program
     Office of Head Start
     This program offers leaders in the early childhood community the opportunity to gain first-hand experiences and a national perspective on public policy making, the Administration for Children and Families, and other Federal agencies serving children and families. Applications are being accepted until April 1, 2010. More information is available at: http://www.headstartresourcecenter.org/fellowship/?sec=8&subsec=0&id=60.
   • Child Care Research Scholars
     Office of Planning Research & Evaluation
     This program provides funds to support dissertation research on child care policy issues in partnership with State Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) lead agencies. Applications are due May 3, 2010. More information is available at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2010-ACF-OPRE-YE-0004
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