MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — Gov. Kay Ivey announced Wednesday that Alabama has received a $3.8 million federal grant to strengthen the state’s early childhood education system, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
The funding comes through the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) program and was awarded to the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. The grant was issued by the Administration for Children and Families.
“Investing in our youngest Alabamians is one of the most important things we can do to strengthen our state’s future,” Ivey said in the release. “This federal funding allows Alabama to continue building a coordinated, efficient early childhood education system that supports families, strengthens our workforce and ensures children across our state have the opportunity to succeed from the very beginning.”
The PDG B-5 program is a competitive federal grant designed to help states better coordinate and align early childhood programs and funding sources. It focuses on improving care and learning opportunities for children from birth through age five.
ADECE Secretary Ami Brooks said the funding will support children, families and early childhood professionals across multiple programs, including First Class Pre-K, licensed child care, First Teacher Home Visiting, Part C Early Intervention, Head Start, Early Head Start and community-based services. The release noted special emphasis on rural areas and historically underserved communities.
State officials said the grant will be used to expand the early childhood workforce, strengthen coordination across programs, increase family engagement, and improve data systems to guide policy, funding, and services across agencies.
The award follows comments made by Ivey during her recent State of the State address, where she highlighted progress in Alabama’s early childhood education system and the importance of continued investment in early learning.
