In 2026, we are taking a closer look at the Office of Childhood (OOC) by exploring different programs that work together to strengthen children and families, and the professionals that support them. In this year’s newsletter series, we will spend each month highlighting different OOC programs. OOC is composed of many unique and connected parts, and each plays an important role. Together, all these programs are part of a larger system that supports families statewide. Our intent is to show how OOC programs fit together to create a better understanding of the work.

As part of our yearlong journey through the Office of Childhood (OOC), this month we are highlighting Missouri funding sources. Missouri has multiple funding sources helping support afterschool programs, prekindergarten programs, providers, and families. 

Afterschool funding sources: 

The department administers three Afterschool grants that help keep school-age youth safe and engaged during non-school hours. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC), Missouri Comprehensive Afterschool Learning (MOCAL), and School Age Community (SAC) grants support high‑quality afterschool programs that provide safe, enriching environments while complementing the school day and promoting learning to improve student outcomes.

Although there is no single formula for an effective afterschool program, practitioners and researchers agree that strong programs blend academic support with enrichment, cultural experiences, and recreational activities that guide learning and engage children and youth in meaningful, well-rounded opportunities. The most successful programs also design activities that reflect the unique needs of the communities they serve.

To learn more about these grants and view this year’s recipients, visit the DESE Afterschool Programs page.

MOQPK funding sources: 

The department offers the Missouri Quality Prekindergarten (MOQPK) grant to LEAs and child care programs across the state. High‑quality preschool experiences provide strong educational and social benefits for children and their families. Children who participate in early childhood education (ECE) programs consistently demonstrate positive outcomes across educational, health, social‑emotional, and economic domains.

In the short term, ECE participants enter kindergarten better prepared, experience fewer behavioral challenges, earn higher grades throughout elementary and middle school—particularly in reading and math—and are less likely to repeat a grade. Long‑term benefits include improved social skills, higher rates of high school graduation and college attendance, increased earnings in adulthood, and reduced involvement in criminal activity. These benefits are especially pronounced for children from families with limited or no income.

In addition to positive impacts on children and families, research shows that ECE programs yield substantial economic returns. Universal programs produce a benefit‑to‑cost ratio of at least 3 to 1, meaning every dollar invested generates at least three dollars in benefits for participants and society. Targeted programs demonstrate even greater returns, often exceeding a 7 to 1 ratio.

Together, these strong educational, social, and economic outcomes make high‑quality preschool a critical component of a successful ECE system. To learn more about the MOQPK grant, visit the MOQPK webpage. The list of grant recipients for the 2026–27 academic year will be available soon.

Overall supports:

As we begin a new school year, we encourage you to explore the many Quality Programs available to support staff and administrators. These initiatives are designed to equip professionals with the tools they need to help their programs—and the children they serve—thrive. Each resource offers practical support that can make your work easier and even more impactful. We invite you to take advantage of the wide range of services available:

• Child Care Health Consultation (CCHC) is designed to enhance child care health, mental health, safety, and wellness practices for child care providers, children, and their families. Child Care Health Consultants provide education and support on a variety of health and safety topics through consultation and training for child care providers and health promotions for children. Please visit the Child Care Health Consultation website to find information about CCHC Program services available in your area.
• Inclusion Support Services collaborates with child care professionals and families of children with special needs, birth to age five, to provide tailored resources, guidance, and assistance through professional development, technical assistance, and referral services. Come check us out at Child Care Inclusion Services to learn how we can support you in providing high quality, inclusive care to children with special needs.
• Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (iECMH) empowers early childhood educators in Missouri to confidently address challenging behaviors, strengthen children’s social-emotional development, and reduce expulsion and suspension in child care programs. This statewide resource offers professional development, coaching, and access to referrals to help prevent challenging behavior, promote social-emotional skills, and resolve conflicts peacefully. Contact iECMH to learn more about how this support can assist you.
• Missouri Supporting Early Childhood Administrators (MO-SECA) provides early childhood administrators statewide with the knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively lead and operate sustainable, quality programs. Participants receive personalized coaching, professional development, and the opportunity to connect with child care programs in their area. To learn more about how we can support you in your business and career growth visit MO-SECA. 
• Program Support Network  is a statewide quality initiative to help child care professionals increase knowledge and improve skills. Be sure to check them out for free best practice professional development opportunities for clock hours and follow-up onsite visits to support implementation. Visit the Program Support Network webpage to learn more about this opportunity and connect with your regional support contact.
• Quality Assurance Report (QAR) is Missouri’s early childhood quality recognition system. This child‑centered framework outlines a clear vision for what every child should experience in early care and education programs, regardless of age or setting. QAR provides coaching to strengthen practices, professional development to expand knowledge, and access to quality supports and resources. Visit QAR to learn more about how we can support your child care program.
• TEACH Missouri offers scholarships to enhance classroom practice and advance your early childhood career. This resource offers scholarship models to support child care professionals pursuing a Child Development Associate (CDA), college credits, and early childhood degrees. For more information about these scholarship opportunities, contact TEACH. 

Coming soon: The department will be offering grants to provide an opportunity for programs to receive fully funded Project Construct curriculum training for staff. Project Construct was originally developed as a preschool curriculum in partnership with DESE more than 30 years ago and has since undergone several key updates, including the addition of an infant/toddler curriculum. In 2025, the curriculum was further revised to fully align with the Missouri Early Learning Standards and to strengthen connections to high‑quality teacher‑child interactions outlined in the CLASS® framework—bringing Missouri’s early learning system into a more cohesive and interconnected ecosystem.