ACF Announces Early Childhood Guidance

The Office of Early Childhood Development within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has announced new policy guidance for ACF's four early childhood programs: the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), Head Start, Preschool Development Grants Birth through Five, and the Tribal Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program. The guidance, presented as program-specific Informational Memoranda (IMs), aims to support programs to foster the mental health and well-being of children, families, and the early care and education workforce. The IMs address the unique priorities, needs, and activities of each program and offer a variety of actionable recommendations, resources, and strategies for promoting mental health. All four programs follow a common framework that covers the range of services and supports integral to a comprehensive early childhood mental health system of care.

Read specific guidance here.