The Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund board adopted the updated All in for Kansas Kids strategic plan for early childhood on Aug. 2. Updates to this plan continue years of work and collaboration between state agencies to collaboratively improve our state's early childhood programs and services.   

Since 2018, the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) has worked together with the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), and many other early childhood partners to comprehensively assess and address statewide early childhood needs. Thousands of Kansans from across the state and in every county informed the first comprehensive needs assessment of early care and education programs and services, which led to the adoption of the first statewide All in for Kansas Kids strategic plan in 2020.   

The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund applied for and received subsequent federal Preschool Development Birth through Five grants to implement the strategic plan, and to update it. The updated All in for Kansas Kids  strategic plan is organized into three pillars: Ecosystem, Workforce and Work Environments, and Experiences of Children and Families. 

On Aug. 15, Amanda Petersen, KSDE director of early childhood, will provide an update to the Kansas State Board of Education regarding the status of these activities, and how they will inform strategies to ensure each Kansas student enters kindergarten at age 5 to be socially, emotionally and academically prepared for success.  

There are many opportunities for communities, schools and individuals to advance this work. Visit the Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund website to sign up to attend monthly webinars, receive weekly email updates or share feedback.