(Washington, DC) – The recent Head Start reauthorization offers states a new opportunity to refine and coordinate early childhood programs. For those grappling with the most effective ways to do this, a report released today by ZERO TO THREE and Pre-K Now provides specific suggestions and strategies to improve the often complex systems serving babies, toddlers and pre-kindergarteners.

"Common Vision, Different Paths" comes just in time to help states respond to new federal requirements to establish State Advisory Councils on Early Education and Care charged with improving the quality, availability and coordination of services for young children. It recommends a broad array of high-quality, accessible and affordable programs and services for young children and their families, including: developmental screenings, well-child visits, parenting education, and quality child care, pre-k, and Head Start programs.

The report provides real-life examples of challenges encountered by five states currently working to build high-quality, comprehensive early childhood systems and the strategies they used to overcome them. Lessons learned from California, Illinois, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania will help other states successfully address funding constraints, political clashes, conflicting regulations and differing agendas in order to create the supportive conditions all children need to develop to their full potential.

A diverse group of powerful and prominent funders joined forces to support the publication in order to put early childhood issues on the forefront of state and national policy agendas. Those grantmakers include: the Buffett Early Childhood Fund; the Annie E. Casey Foundation; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the David and Lucile Packard Foundation; and The Pew Charitable Trusts.

"The leadership of this prestigious group of funders in making this report possible speaks volumes about the need to finally have in place a national vision for helping our youngest children receive the quality services that they need," said Matthew E. Melmed, executive director of ZERO TO THREE.

ZERO TO THREE and Pre-K Now, two leading early childhood organizations, teamed up to write the report, which will be widely disseminated to state legislators, governors, state and local agencies and advocates.

"We determined that by uniting our efforts, we could more effectively help states develop the kind of programs and policies that ensure infants, toddlers, and young children receive the strong start they need to thrive and succeed," said Pre-K Now Executive Director, Libby Doggett.

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Pre-K Now collaborates with state advocates and policymakers to lead a movement for high-quality, voluntary pre-kindergarten for all three and four year olds.

ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers. For more information about the organization, visit www.zerotothree.org.

• "Common Vision, Different Paths: Five States' Journeys toward Comprehensive Prenatal-to-Five Systems"