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 Local Educational Agencies (LEA) 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.

Subsidy:

The Child Care Subsidy Program, administered by DESE - OOC, expands children’s access to early learning by helping eligible Missouri families afford child care through federal funding. This program not only ensures that children can participate in high‑quality early childhood experiences, but also supports parents and guardians as they pursue stable employment, education, or training opportunities.

To deliver these services, OOC partners with child care providers across the state. Providers must hold an active subsidy contract with DESE–OOC in order to receive reimbursement for caring for eligible children. Through these partnerships, the Child Care Subsidy Program plays a key role in strengthening families, supporting workforce participation, and promoting healthy early development. If you are interested in becoming a subsidy provider visit the Subsidy Provider webpage.

Innovation Grants: 

• The department will begin accepting applications from providers who were awarded the Innovation Grant for Child Care Expansion or Start-Up in FY 26 and did not request and/or receive the full award due to time constraints. Eligible providers have been contacted and may apply for the extension to support the licensure process, expand facility capacity, or increase enrollment in partnership with a business or community partner in the same community as the child care program. 
• 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.