This statement provides policy and program recommendations from HHS and ED to improve young children’s access to needed services and transform delivery systems to improve health and early learning outcomes for all children. Coordination and alignment between health systems and early learning systems has the potential to ensure that each child’s needs are identified, referrals to needed services are made and completed, services are not duplicated, and the messages families hear are clear, aligned, and consistently reinforced to ensure that children and families thrive.
This statement:
- Highlights the importance of establishing a solid foundation for school-readiness as well as long-term health for all children
- Provides recommendations and guidance to States and communities to promote the alignment and coordination of health and early learning system
- Identifies resources and shares promising practices that inform and support States, communities and families in collaborative efforts to support healthy development and well-being in early childhood.