Maximizing Impact Under Any Structure - Governance Lessons from Local Early Childhood Programs

Oct 15, 2026

Report examining how local governance structures shape public early childhood program delivery, especially amid multiple federal funding streams and the need to braid resources for seamless services. Highlights the complexity of federal and state administration, funding acronyms, and uneven access to public preschool. Uses local program launches and funding contribution data to show how cities, counties, and agencies support affordability and quality, drawing governance lessons for broader application.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages33

Reading Time1 h 23 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction: Many Sources Fund Public Early Childhood Programs

Local Governance Needs More Attention

A Framework for Different Local Models

Factors Influencing Local Governance Choices

Lessons For Local Governance

Broadly Applicable Principles

Principles in Systems Where the School District is Leading

Principles in Systems Where a City or County Agency Leads

Principles in Systems Where an Independent Organization Leads

Conclusion

Additional Resources

About the ECE Implementation Working Group

July 2025 Maximizing Impact Under Any Structure: Governance Lessons from Local Early Childhood Programs Emmy Liss & Sarah Gilliland New Practice Lab Last edited on July 07, 2025 at 9:14 a.m. EDT Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank members of the ECE Implementation Working Group for sharing lessons about their local governance structures, how they have evolved, and the successes and challenges they have faced. Editorial disclosure: The views expressed in this report are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of New America, its staff, fellows, funders, or board of directors. [newamerica.org/new-practice-lab/reports/maximizing-impact-under-any-structure/ 2](newamerica.org/new-practice-lab/reports/maximizing-impact-under-any-structure/ 2) About the Authors Emmy Liss is an experienced public sector leader with over a decade of experience in strategy, planning, and operations work. Sarah Gilliland is a Senior Policy Analyst in the New Practice Lab at New America. About New America We are dedicated to renewing the promise of America by continuing the quest to realize our nation’s highest ideals, honestly confronting the challenges caused by rapid technological and social change, and seizing the opportunities those changes create. About New Practice Lab The New Practice Lab works to improve family economic security and wellbeing—through the way social policy is designed and delivered. We believe good policy design focuses on families’ lived experience and prioritizes making a difference in people’s daily lives. [newamerica.org/new-practice-lab/reports/maximizing-impact-under-any-structure/ 3](newamerica.org/new-practice-lab/reports/maximizing-impact-under-any-structure/ 3) Contents Introduction: Many Sources Fund Public Early Childhood Programs 5 Local Governance Needs More Attention 9 A Framework for Different Local Models 12 Factors Influencing Local Governance Choices 17 Lessons For Local Governance 21 Broadly Applicable Principles 21 Principles in Systems Where the School District is Leading 24 Principles in Systems Where a City or County Agency Leads 26 Principles in Systems Where an Independent Organization Leads 27 Conclusion 29 Additional Resources 30 About the ECE Implementation Working Group 31 [newamerica.org/new-practice-lab/reports/maximizing-impact-under-any-structure/ 4](newamerica.org/new-practice-lab/reports/maximizing-impact-under-any-structure/ 4) Introduction: Many Sources Fund Public Early Childhood Programs Many programs exist to help young children get the best start in life—so many, in fact, that it can be diﬃcult for even seasoned policymakers to understand the diﬀerent programs and funding streams that support them. A recent federal early childhood systems-building eﬀort cataloged 35 such atthe federal level that are designed to help families with child care, preschool, home visitation, early intervention, and more. Established by diﬀerent statutes over time, these programs are administered across multiple federal agencies, but are largely implemented and delivered by state and local governments. The result is a well-intentioned quagmire of funding streams and programs that require careful braiding and blending to deliver more seamless programs to children and families. Observers of a typical pre-K class might note two teachers, 18 students, and hopefully items like books, toys, interesting materials, and learning centers to support an enriching environment. Fueling that classroom could be a mix of funds coming from an alphabet soup of programs: Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Title I, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B, Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG-B5), state universal pre-K, and Head Start. It takes an acronym to fund a classroom —sometimes four or ﬁve. Most of these federal pro

FAQs

Why are early childhood programs difficult to understand from a policymaking perspective?

The report explains that many programs and funding streams exist, supported by different statutes and administered across multiple federal agencies while being implemented largely by state and local governments.

What problem does the report describe with funding and access to publicly funded preschool?

It notes that current federal investments do not fund enough seats, so less than half of four-year-olds and under 20% of three-year-olds have access to publicly funded preschool.

How do local governments influence the ability to run or expand preschool programs?

The report states that local funding can be a prerequisite to run programs, and that many states require a local match for certain preschool programs, while cities and counties contribute local resources to preschool services.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Taylor Morgan