PDG birth-5 systems building grant - hawaii seeks to strengthen and unify its early childhood system by addressing the needs identified in the 2024 comprehensive needs assessment and the updated…

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded $2,753,626 in Preschool Development Grants (CFDA 93.434) to the Executive Office on Early Learning, a state entity within Hawaii, on December 31, 2025.

The award funds Hawaii's completion of the revised 2026 Hawaii Early Learning and Development Standards, adoption of professional standards and competencies for early childhood educators, strengthening of infant and early childhood behavioral health supports, and kindergarten transition resource and outreach. A core deliverable is the Early Childhood System Building Block Network, which will coordinate participation across early childhood educators, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, public and private child care providers, healthcare organizations, philanthropic partners, business and workforce development entities, policymakers, and families to strengthen alignment, enhance coordination, and increase collective impact across the statewide early childhood system.

The award addresses needs identified in the 2024 Comprehensive Needs Assessment and the updated 2025-2030 Early Childhood State Plan. Performance of work occurs in Hawaii, with completion scheduled for December 30, 2026.

PDG birth-5 systems building grant - hawaii seeks to strengthen and unify its early childhood system by addressing the needs identified in the 2024 comprehensive needs assessment and the updated 2025-2030 early childhood state plan. The proposed PDG B-5 funded outcome strategies will focus on: (1) completion of the revised 2026 hawaii early learning and development standards; (2) adoption of professional standards and competencies for early childhood educators; (3) strengthening infant and early childhood behavioral health supports; (4) targeting kindergarten transition resource and outreach; and (5) the use of an early childhood system building block network - a key step in continuing to prioritize a locally driven and comprehensive approach, broaden participation, and build momentum through implementation. The building block network will expand participation to include early childhood educators, head start and early head start programs, public and private child care providers, healthcare organizations, philanthropic partners, business and workforce development entities, policymakers, and hawaii's families. As participation expands and more partners engage, the building block network will strengthen alignment, enhance coordination, and increase collective impact-ensuring that multiple perspectives inform and sustain systemwide improvement.