Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) Background

The ECCS Initiative is designed to include two phases—Planning and Implementation. The planning stage, which is currently underway has included monthly meetings of a work group established to provide a broad cross section of involvement in the development of the plan. The work group was comprised of approximately 50 representatives from state agencies, local government, provider agencies (including Head Start and Early Head Start programs), colleges and universities, advocates, and parents, including two Head Start parents.

The work group meetings were organized to address family needs during specific stages of child development (i.e., prenatal to early infancy, infants and toddlers, and preschool). Extensive work has been undertaken to complete the plan, which is organized to address issues across four broad goal areas:

Draft sections are currently being circulated to members of the work group for comment. Once the planning document is complete, it will be submitted to the state agencies that participated in the planning process to obtain sign-off. After it is approved and submitted to the federal government, efforts will begin immediately to move toward the implementation phase of the plan.