HRSA invests in a portfolio of Early Childhood Systems programs and partnerships. These investments support states and communities, health and other service systems, and service providers to work effectively and efficiently as a team in support of families with young children. They create systems of care that address all aspects of early childhood health and well-being, improve health equity, and put family needs and experiences first.
When partners and providers from different sectors and systems work together as a whole, all families and communities benefit. Over 30% of children have complex health needs and risks that require a coordinated approach1. Siloed services are inefficient and create barriers for families to access support they need. Supporting the family as a whole and starting as early as possible improves children’s chances to thrive and avoid future challenges.
HRSA's Early Childhood Systems efforts work to:
- Make health and well-being promotion and prevention services available to all families, focusing on the prenatal period and first 3 years of life
- Connect different sectors and providers, so that they work together to strengthen families
- Build services and systems that intentionally advance health equity and support family and community leadership
- Improve policies and practices across states and communities that support early childhood health and create long-lasting change
In Fiscal Year 2022, HRSA supported Early Childhood Systems grants in 29 states and provided nationwide technical assistance and leadership. Programs include:
- Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS)
- Infant-Toddler Court Program (ITCP)
- Early Childhood Developmental Health Systems (ECDHS)
- Transforming Pediatrics for Early Childhood (TPEC)
- Rural Health Integration Models for Parents and Children Together (Rural Health IMPACT)
- Joint projects with HRSA, HHS, and other federal and non-federal partners
Details regarding current award recipients can be found using HRSA's Find Grants tool and filtering by program name or state.
1June 2020 NSCH Data Brief regarding adverse childhood experiences (PDF - 450 KB)