Mixed Delivery Program

The Mixed Delivery Program is a bipartisan initiative that provides publicly funded early childhood care and education (ECCE) services in licensed, non-faith-based private ECCE settings for eligible children across Virginia.

Geographic Scope: Available statewide through 9 Ready Regions serving eligible localities across Virginia:

• Ready Region Blue Ridge
• Ready Region Capital Area
• Ready Region Central
• Ready Region Chesapeake Bay
• Ready Region North Central
• Ready Region Southeastern
• Ready Region Southside
• Ready Region Southwest
• Ready Region West

Target Population:

• Infants and toddlers (birth to age 2)
• Two-year-olds (select localities)
• Preschoolers (ages 3 and 4)
• Eligible families (income-based eligibility)

Focus Areas:

• Providing high-quality, full-day, year-round ECCE services
• Offering families choice in ECCE settings
• Expanding access to publicly funded preschool in private settings
• Serving underserved, high-need communities
• Supporting working families
• Improving early educator compensation and retention
• Addressing barriers to family access to ECCE
• Integrating public and private funding sources
• Quality improvement through coaching and professional development

What They Fund:

• Contract-based public funding to private ECCE providers
• Full-day, year-round services
• Cost-of-Quality rates (as of FY2023) to ensure competitive compensation for educators and high-quality services
• Quality improvement initiatives including coaching and professional development
• Family support services
• Infrastructure for new programs

What They Don't Fund:

• Faith-based ECCE providers
• Part-time programs (only full-day, year-round services)

Eligibility:

• Private, licensed, non-faith-based ECCE providers
• Communities and local organizations partnering with private providers
• Families meeting income eligibility requirements

Key Innovations:

• Integrated financing model blending multiple funding sources (VPI, Head Start, child care subsidy)
• Cost-of-Quality methodology for setting accurate service rates
• Contract-based model providing predictable, sustained funding
• CLASS observations-based coaching
• Single-point-of-entry application systems
• Professional development and incentive programs
• Support for serving children with challenging behaviors
• Full work-day and summer care options
• Services during non-traditional hours
• Transportation assistance
• Family engagement and support services

Background:

• Launched in 2016 as an innovative pilot to test how communities can engage private childcare providers in public preschool service delivery
• Has produced strong results with long-term benefits for children and families
• Expanded in FY2023 to serve infants and toddlers
• FY2025 funding: $37,594,084 supporting 2,687 children across the Commonwealth
• Demand continues to grow with over 7,500 slots requested statewide
• Bipartisan effort supported by Virginia General Assembly and Governor
• Contract-based model offers stable, predictable revenue source for ECCE sites
• Uses Cost-of-Quality rates to identify true cost of quality ECCE services

How to Apply

For communities and organizations seeking to become Mixed Delivery grantees:

1. Contact Your Ready Region: Reach out to your Ready Region Mixed Delivery Coordinator or lead agency for your service area
2. Competitive Application Process: Submit application through a competitive grant process coordinated by VECF
3. Required Materials: (Specific requirements vary by funding round; contact Ready Region for details)
   • Demonstration of community partnerships and support
   • Identification of target private ECCE providers
   • Plan for serving eligible families
   • Quality improvement strategies
   • Professional development plans
   • Data collection and evaluation plans
4. Funding Rounds: VECF conducts periodic funding rounds for new Mixed Delivery grantees. Historical rounds include:
   • Fourth Round (2019): Full implementation grants and planning grants
   • Third Round (2018): Expansion grants to existing communities
   • Earlier rounds (2016-2017): Initial pilots
5. Implementation: Selected grantees work with VECF and their Ready Region to implement the Mixed Delivery program

For Families:
Families eligible for ECCE services (based on income) can enroll through:

• Single-point-of-entry systems established in participating communities
• Direct contact with participating private ECCE providers
• Coordination with school divisions and Ready Regions

For Private ECCE Providers:
Licensed, non-faith-based providers can participate by:

• Partnering with grantee organizations and Ready Regions
• Meeting quality standards and participating in quality improvement coaching
• Enrolling eligible children through established enrollment processes