Center on Disability Studies

2023 - 2024 Annual Report

Hawai‘i Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Renewal Grant Evaluation

PDG B-5 aims to strengthen the early childhood care and education (ECCE) system through a comprehensive mixed-delivery approach. By expanding access to ECCE programs, the grant supports low-income and disadvantaged children in preparation for kindergarten and allows access to high-quality educational opportunities through third grade.

What the PDG B-5 Renewal Grant Evaluation Project Is
The Hawai‘i Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Renewal Grant Evaluation is the independent, external review of a three-year, $6.6 million-per-year federal renewal grant that Hawaiʻi P-20 Partnerships for Education and the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) began implementing in 2023. The Center on Disability Studies (CDS) at UH Mānoa was brought in during Fall 2023 to design and run the evaluation.

What activities are being evaluated? What metrics are being used?

Activity 1 – Update Needs Assessment (3 metrics)

Updating the risk/reach assessment to identify vulnerable and underserved areas post-pandemic and examining demographics of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECE) workforce
Understanding family preferences for care, prioritizing traditionally marginalized families
Evaluating the economic impact of the pandemic on the ECE sector

Activity 2 – Update Hawaiʻi Early Childhood State Plan (3 metrics)

Garner participation and feedback from families and stakeholders in publishing the Hawai‘i Early Childhood State Plan (EC State Plan), especially from priority populations
Complete EC State Plan and Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) with alignment with the PDG B-5
Address identified needs and inequities in the updated EC State Plan and SIP

Activity 3 – Maximize Parent & Family Engagement (8 metrics)

Hiring a Family-Engagement specialist at the Executive Office of Early Learning (EOEL)
Creating an annual Mixed-Delivery-System (MDS) provider conference
Starting a statewide Early Learning Board (ELB) parent council
Holding “Embracing Your Journey” workshops
Founding a Parent-Navigator pilot program
Hosting Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) workshops
Publishing a family resource website has been published and conducting awareness campaigns
Providing Talk-Story sessions & Family Fairs

Activity 4 – Strengthen the B-5 Workforce & Spread Best Practices (8 metrics)

Developing a workforce compensation plan & salary scale
Establishing ECE Student Ambassador program
Creating pathways for BEd in Early Childhood Education
Registered apprenticeships established at four community colleges.
Establishing pathway for Infant-Toddler Caregiver Certificate
Providing mental health support, training, and assistance for the ECE workforce

Activity 5 – Support Program Quality Improvement (5 metrics)

Creating a Continuous Quality Improvement – Technical Assistance System (CQI-TA)
Establishing a Leading for Change leadership development program
Creating a Pre-K to K transition toolkit
Developing CLASS (Classroom Assessments Scoring System) performance ratings and coaching

Activity 6 – Expand Access and Enhance Quality via Subgrants (4 metrics)

Establishing shared services program for Family Child Care Home (FCCH) providers
Funding for developmental screenings at all public pre-K programs
Expansion of infant and toddler care providers and classrooms
Providing technical assistance and coaching for provider accreditation