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Policy Matters Project:
An Early Childhood Systems Analysis
The wide assortment of federal, state, and local early childhood education services and programs is problematic because different programs are managed by different agencies, leading to mission fragmentation and program overlap, as well as gaps in policy, funding streams, eligibility, fees, and programming results. Consequently, some families receive inconsistent services, while others fall through the cracks altogether.
To address the fragmentation of Utah’s early childhood policies, Voices for Utah Children is leading a distinctive policy project, the Policy Matters Project, conducted under the auspices of Dr. Sharon L. Kagan, and Kate Tarrant, MA, of the National Center for Children and Families, Teacher’s college, Columbia University. The project is funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation with additional support from the Utah Department of Workforce Services and the Utah Department of Health.
Policy Matters is a project to develop recommendations that will help state policymakers think strategically about policy decisions that create opportunities for young children to experience high quality early care and education services. The goal is to take the state’s long-term planning efforts and convert them into concrete policy changes that can be implemented in the next 1 to 3 years. The recommendations will be designed to enable state policymakers to consider policy options in a coordinated and systemic manner, rather than expending limited resources on various discrete programs or services for young children without considering their collective impact. This project consists of 4 phases that will occur over 12-15 months:
- Policy Audit/Inventory
- Assessment of Political Landscape
- Goal Setting
- Crafting a Policy Agenda
The phases focus on state policy strategies that support an early childhood system that includes children birth to age 8; both public and private providers; home, center, school, and community-based programs; and statewide implementation. It involves a collaborative process, which requires the active participation of key stakeholders. Voices for Utah Children has recruited representatives from key initiatives, agencies, and organizations, as well as other potential stakeholders to participate in the planning and on-going work related to Policy Matters.
State-based stakeholders conduct a self-assessment, set goals and priorities, focus on politically feasible options - all informed by a study of governance and political processes in the state. The end result is a prioritized policy agenda, extending several years into the future, which is specific to the context, needs and nature of policy change in the state. It's a strategic plan with a purpose, comprehensive in breadth and depth, and designed to yield lasting benefits for Utah’s families and children.
Helpful definitions:
ECE = Early Care and Education (ECE) includes child care (for-profit and not-for-profit), family child care, preschool, pre-kindergarten, nursery schools, Head Start, and child development centers.
Early Childhood refers to a broad system of programs and services provided to young children, including ECE, health, dental, and mental health services. These services may be provided in the context of an ECE program, but may also be delivered in other community-based settings (e.g., community centers, family centers, pediatricians’ offices, hospitals, etc.).
Downloads
Utah Policy Matters Presentation
August 2007
Utah Policy Inventory & Political Climate Presentation
November 2007
Utah Goal Setting and Prioritization Presentation
April 2008
Utah Policy Matters Final Presentation
April 2008
Final Report
April, 2008
For more information about this project please contact Robyn Lipkowitz at 364-1182 or robyn@utahchildren.org
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