Preschool Development Grants: How May We Help?

When DHHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, along with DOE Secretary Arne Duncan, announced the Preschool Development Grants competition as part of the Preschool for All in early February 2014, she asked for help. Her request? That all of us in the early childhood community find our roles in the grant process and assist applicants to ensure the best possible quality programs are developed and expanded for preschoolers. She called on those able to step up if able to provide “wraparound help”—and Teachstone is heeding that call.

Teachstone’s embarking on a project in response to what we hear from the field: a need to have a one-stop, subscription-based service for the management of a CLASS system across an organization. It will support all the players involved in improving teacher-child interactions: teachers, observers, coaches or T/TA providers, and administrators.

Teachstone Assistance

Teachstone can provide draft grant text to use to write about this new service, specifically in support of Section C of the application, Ensuring Quality in Preschool Programs. We also have text including research on the power of teacher-child interactions, research on quality professional development, and descriptions of professional development programs that you can implement to improve program quality.

If you would like to schedule a time to discuss your state’s grant application, just complete this form.

Here’s an update on the timeline, as well as an update on the amount of funding for each state and their eligibility for either a Development or Expansion grant.

Grant Timeline

Development Eligibility

A Development Grant is to support a state with a small or no State-Funded Preschool Program to:

• Develop or enhance preschool program infrastructure and capacity to deliver High-Quality Preschool Programs (100% of funds years 1, 2, 3, 10% of grant year 4)
• Implement and sustain High-Quality Preschool Programs to reach and serve additional Eligible Children in one or more High-Need Communities no later than the fourth year of the grant (90% of funds year 4)

Expansion Eligibility

An Expansion Grant is for a State that already serves 10% or more of eligible children within State-Funded Preschool Programs OR that has received a Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge grant to:

• Implement and sustain High-Quality Preschool Programs to reach and serve additional Eligible Children in two or more High-Need Communities (90% of funds)
• Enhance preschool program infrastructure and make quality improvements to deliver High-Quality Preschool Programs (10% of funds)