How much funding does Mixed Delivery Program provide?

Mixed Delivery Program provides Varies by region; FY2025 total: $37,594,084 in funding.

When is the deadline for Mixed Delivery Program?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

Mixed Delivery Program

VIRGINIA EARLY CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION

Foundation Annual Child Care Grants Grants for Preschools

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Funding Amount

Varies by region; FY2025 total: $37,594,084

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Mixed Delivery Program

Overview: 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.

Status: Active and ongoing; originally launched in 2016 as a pilot program and continues to evolve and expand annually.

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

Contact Information:
Virginia Early Childhood Foundation
1703 N. Parham Road, Suite 110
Richmond, VA 23229
Phone: (804) 358-8323
Email: info@vecf.org
Website: vecf.org

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

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