How Policymakers Can Support Early Childhood Data Governance

Early childhood services for children in the prenatal stage to age 8 are administered across multiple state agencies and programs. To access and use data about the collective reach and effectiveness of these programs requires a data governance body that supports the coordination, management, and integration of multiple data systems. Data governance establishes the vision, goals, and strategic plan for building, integrating, and using data to support continuous improvement. This brief highlights actions steps for policymakers to support the establishment of strong early childhood governance structures that can increase access to data needed to inform early childhood policies and practice.