The Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program (IEEEP), a statewide grant program in California, distributes funds to local education agencies to implement efforts that increase access to inclusive early education settings for young children with disabilities.

This report assesses the progress made by grantees toward increasing enrollment of children with disabilities, including (1) findings from a review of grantee applications, (2) a survey of site leaders, teachers, and families of children affiliated with early education sites benefitting from IEEEP funding, and (3) quarterly progress reports submitted by grantees.

Some key findings from the report include:

  • IEEEP funding expanded access to inclusive early education programs for young children with disabilities, although a survey of site leaders suggests that children with significant/severe disabilities have access to inclusive settings least often.
  • IEEEP grantees are building the capacity of early educators to support children with disabilities in inclusive early education settings by offering professional development and adaptive equipment for early education sites. However, a majority of teachers and site leaders reported needing additional training in order to increase inclusion knowledge, confidence, and implementation.
  • IEEEP grantees are improving the accessibility of facilities, particularly outdoor environments. The impacts of COVID-19 and inflation resulted in less progress on facility construction and renovation projects. A survey of early education site leaders suggests that improvements to outdoor environments is a needed area of investment.