Early Childhood Services

DID YOU KNOW: 95% of brain development occurs before the age of FIVE? 1

Early childhood matters! That is why the department created the Early Childhood Division in July 2021 to align and focus programs and resources on a key department priority: early childhood experiences.

DIVISION PURPOSE: To make a significant impact on North Dakota children and families by:

• Helping children realize their potential through quality early childhood experiences,
• Supporting the state's workforce needs with improved access to child care, and
• Aligning programs for a maximum return on investment.

Programs and Services

• COVID-19 Child Care Stabilization & Recovery Grants (Sept. 20, 2021)
• Child Care Workforce Stipends and Incentives (COMING soon. Learn how to Get Ready to Apply.)
• Best In Class Grant
• Child Care Licensing
• Head Start/Early Head Start State Collaboration Office
• Child Care Aware of North Dakota - Child Care Resource and Referral Services
• Growing Futures - North Dakota's Early Childhood Workforce Provider Training Registry
• Bright & Early ND - North Dakota's Quality Rating and Improvement System for Early Childhood Providers
• Inclusion Support Grant - Available to licensed and self-declared early childhood service providers who care for children with special needs, ages birth-12 years old.
  • Technical assistance and funding may be requested to support staffing needs, environmental modifications and specialized equipment.
  • For updated information on services and current grant opportunities, please reach out to Inclusion Support online at USpireND.

News/EVENTS

Connect & Grow ND Webinars (Co-sponsored by Dept. of Public Instruction and the Dept. of Human Services)

Digital Resource Kit

• Information Sheet: New Early Childhood Division
• Information Sheet: Why Early Childhood Matters
• Information Sheet: Best in Class program (Updated Sept. 1, 2021)
• Information Sheet: Waterford Upstart Program
• Information Sheets: Parents Lead (Preschool: Keys to Prevention; Toddlers: Keys to Prevention; Building Resiliency; Encouraging Your Child to Hope)

Other Resources

• Child Care Assistance Program - Helps qualifying families pay for child care while they work or attend school or training.

Notes: 1 Giedd J.N. & Rapoport, J.L. (2010). Structural MRI of pediatric brain developmennt.: What we have learned and where are we going? Neuron. 67,728-734.

Early Childhood Division
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 325
Bismarck ND 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-2115, or (800) 997-8516 or 711 (TTY)
Email: dhsec@nd.gov

 

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