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What is the Preschool Development Grant (PDG)?

The Preschool Development Grant (PDG) is a U.S. federal grant received by California in 2019 and runs through 2022. There are two phases of the PDG: PDG-Initial (PDG-I), managed by the California Department of Education (CDE) and PDG-Renewal (PDG-R), managed by the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS). California is using this grant to improve early learning and care (ELC) systems throughout the state.

Build

Build capacity by unifying the ELC system and streamlining governance at state and local levels.

Maximize

Maximize parent and family knowledge, elevate parent voices, and strengthen parent connections to ELC and other supportive services.

Develop

Develop a unified professional development system for the ELC workforce.

Increase

Increase the supply and quality of ELC opportunities by redesigning the state’s quality and professional development system.

About PDG

The PDG Activities

The PDG activities represent the efforts of many organizations working together to implement the goals of the PDG. The goals of the PDG are broken down into six activities represented in the graphic below. Many of the activities have subtasks. The subtasks for PDG-I are unrelated to the subtasks for PDG-R.

ACTIVITY 1Statewide Needs AssessmentACTIVITY 3Maximizing Parental Knowledge & ChoiceACTIVITY 4Sharing Best PracticesACTIVITY 2Statewide StrategicPlanACTIVITY 5ImprovingQuality & Service IntegrationACTIVITY 6Monitoring, Evaluating & Using Data PROVIDERS INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDERS FAMILIES

Activity 1

During PDG-I in 2019 the team produced a comprehensive statewide Needs Assessment of the ELC system to inform strategic planning and to improve ELC services for children and families over time. Over the next 3 years the PDG-R will build state-level capacity for ongoing needs assessments of the ELC system and establish a user-friendly data dashboard to share current data and promote data literacy.

Activity 2

During PDG-I in 2019 the team developed a statewide strategic plan to deepen and operationalize a range of previous recommendations for improving the state’s ELC system and ensuring increased access to quality ELC services for children of diverse needs. Over the next 3 years the team will develop the Master Plan for Early Learning and Care (MPELC) to build on the PDG strategic planning with long-term administrative and financing strategies and to achieve a comprehensive, equitable mixed-delivery ELC system.

Activity 3

During PDG-I in 2019 the team took advanced systemic approaches to expand family access to information they need to support their child’s development and choose quality child care that fits their needs. Over the next 3 years of PDG-R the team will expand promising approaches to building parent and caregiver understanding of children’s development, to engaging parents as critical stakeholders, and to making information readily available and easy to navigate so that parents can find child care and enroll in a timely manner.

Activity 4

During PDG-I the team strengthened capacity and infrastructure to support consistent, accessible quality improvement and workforce development opportunities. Over the next 3 years of PDG-R the team will invest in and bring to scale the infrastructure and capacity necessary to ensure the state’s workforce development system functions equitably across the state and for all types of providers.

Activity 5

During PDG-I in 2019 the team supported peer learning and leadership capacity building among tribal communities to build targeted support for an equitable and culturally relevant quality support system. Over the next 3 years of PDG-R the team will increase the support and capacity for family, friend, and neighbor caregivers; family child care providers; and home-visiting providers to provide quality care for underserved populations.

Activity 6

Over the next 3 years the PDG-R team will advance the development of a comprehensive, integrated early childhood data system to advance equitable policies and practices for children from birth to age five, their families, and the ELC providers who support them.

PDG - Renewal

2020-Present

Monitoring, Evaluation & Data Use

Opportunities to Engage

If you are a family member, child care provider, infrastructure partner, or state or local leader, you can find opportunities to attend events, watch webinars, and engage in learning opportunities. Most or all events are virtual at this time.

Providers

August 25, 2021

Early Childhood Policy Council Quarterly Meeting August 2021

Activity 2: Statewide Strategic Plan

Providers

November 16, 2021

Early Childhood Policy Council Quarterly Meeting November 2021

Activity 2: Statewide Strategic Plan
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Latest Updates

California Department of Education (CDE) Announces First of its Kind Statewide Online Community of Practice and Collaboration Network for Educators

June 4, 2021

Early Childhood Education (ECE) Office Hours

June 4, 2021

Applications for Educator Preparation Student Liaison to the Commission Now Being Accepted

June 4, 2021
View All Updates