Topics Related to Child Development and Early Education

North Carolina Awarded Federal Preschool Development Grant to Boost State’s Family Child Care Home Network

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a $4 million Preschool Development Grant that will help support children’s health and well-being, improve access to high-quality early care and learning for families across North Carolina, and invest in the state’s early care and learning workforce. NCDHHS will use the federal funding through the end of the year to enhance North Carolina’s Family Child Care Home (FCCH) network. This includes providing access to more professional training, tools to improve classroom curriculum and instruction and more family engagement opportunities for the FCCH workforce. This work will pilot new practices to improve the availability and quality of care for families served by the FCCH network.

NCDHHS Observes Family Engagement Month, Highlights Early Learning Resources For Parents and Families

In observance of Family Engagement Month this November, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is proud to announce new early learning resources for families with young children.

NCDHHS to Extend Grant Program Supporting Early Care and Learning Teacher Pay

Grant support to boost compensation for North Carolina’s early care and learning teachers and staff will continue through December 2023, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced today.

NCDHHS Launches Raise NC to Highlight the Value of the State’s Early Care and Learning Network

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today launched Raise North Carolina, a public education campaign about the value of the state’s early care and learning network to support children’s healthy development as well as families’ participation in the workforce.

New Data Dashboard Helps Public See Quality and Progress of NC’s Early Care and Learning Network

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today launched its first online data dashboard visualizing information and trends about the statewide early care and learning network.

NCDHHS to Provide Financial Support to Essential Workers and Child Care Providers

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is providing financial assistance to help essential workers afford child care and bonuses to child care teachers and staff who provide care during the COVID-19 crisis.

NCDHHS Announces Hotline for Critical Workers Seeking Child Care Options

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has partnered with the North Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) network to launch a hotline to provide child care options for children of critical workers who do not have access to typical care because of COVID-19 closures.

North Carolina Awarded $56 Million to Promote Children’s Well-being and Early Learning

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that North Carolina will receive $56 million in federal funding over the next seven years to support children’s health and well-being, improve access to high-quality early learning for families across the state and invest in the state’s early childhood workforce.

Early Childhood Data Available for all NC Counties

The NC Department of Health and Human Services has released county data for the 10 goals and more than 50 measures that are part of the state's Early Childhood Action Plan. These new data reports are available for all 100 counties and cover issues such as infant mortality, food and housing security, emergency room visits, child health, foster care, early learning and early literacy.

DHHS Extends Public Input Period for Draft North Carolina Early Childhood Action Plan to Dec. 21

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has extended the public input period for the draft North Carolina Early Childhood Action Plan from Nov. 30 to Dec. 21.