Spending Smarter: A Funding Guide for Policymakers and Advocates

This funding guide describes effective programs, highlights policy opportunities, and offers fiscal strategies to promote the emotional health of young children and their families. Analyses are intended to help State officials, community leaders, and advocates utilize existing funding streams to promote the social and emotional health and school readiness of young children. Strategies are presented to maximize existing funding streams by building on Federal programs. These programs to help vulnerable children can be divided into three categories: (1) child health and mental health programs, (2) early care and learning programs, and (3) programs serving young children and families at greater risk. This guide highlights how these programs might be used to: (1) provide screening and diagnostic assessment; (2) monitor young children who have identified risk factors but are ineligible for individual services; (3) improve access to preventive, early intervention, and treatment services for young children, their families, and their caregivers; (4) address inconsistencies or confusion related to eligibility, and clarify the extent to which at-risk children can be served; (5) enhance workforce capacity through training and other means; and (6) build infrastructure to support an array of services and supports.