Following the guidance of the Master Plan for Early Learning and Care (Master Plan), year 3 of the PDG-R grant saw the launch of an additional Needs Assessment focused on the early learning and care equity landscape. Equity consultants Dr. Iheoma Iruka of the Equity Research Action Coalition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Dr. Shantel Meek of the Children’s Equity Project at Arizona State University provided thought partnership and a report addressing statewide efforts to: 1) impact racial equity through future quality investments, 2) identify opportunities to strengthen recommendations and/or implementation plans to enhance equity, and 3) support state-level decision-making and implementation strategies.

The final report and accompanying slide deck were completed in December 2022.