The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence has announced a $1.2 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in support of family home childcare providers in underserved parts of Kentucky.

The multiyear grant will enable the advocacy group, in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Division of Child Care, to create and pilot new approaches designed to improve the quality and supply of family home providers and link them with networks of childcare centers and other support systems in the state. The committee also will identify barriers to the establishment and sustainability of high-quality care and education for infants and toddlers in family home and childcare settings, and will work, through its Strong Start Coalition, to build public awareness and support for the initiative.

"Quality early learning and development is the most important precursor to success in school and life," said Prichard Committee executive director Brigitte Blom Ramsey. "We're grateful to the Kellogg Foundation for providing this opportunity for Kentucky to design innovative, community-based models that expand access to quality childcare for more youngsters and their families."