Integrated Systems

For low-income young children to thrive, their families need access to affordable, high-quality services—such as health and mental health care, early care and learning, and parenting support. States and communities can improve the odds by implementing policies and practices that meet child and family needs in more holistic ways.

States vary greatly in their efforts to integrate services for young children, and much more can be done. One important way that states can make a difference is by maximizing the strategic use of fiscal resources to promote positive outcomes. States can analyze their budgets in terms of their effectiveness regarding healthy early development and school success. They also can respond to potential opportunities—and challenges—that emerge from federal decisions.

In addition to what states can do, integrated community efforts to support the healthy emotional development of young children and families are also critical, especially for children experiencing the greatest risk.

Publications

• Pediatric Medical Homes
  Laying the Foundation of a Promising Model of Care
  Report, October 2011
• Putting the Pieces Together
  New York Early Learning Program Data Systems
  Report, February 2011
• State-level Indicators for Social-emotional Development
  Building Better Systems
  Report, February 2011
• Environmental Health in Early Childhood Systems Building
  Opportunities for States
  Brief, December 2010
• Improving Supports for Parents of Young Children
  State-level Initiatives
  Report, September 2010