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7 | Page January 3 1 I ssueneeds. To be awarded funds, local government units must meet at least one of three program objectives:%u2022 The grant will benefit low- and moderate-income persons;%u2022 The grant will prevent or eliminate slums and blight;%u2022 The grant will resolve an urgent need that communities are not able to do so on their own.CDBG funds are one of Commerce%u2019s primary tools for supporting the state%u2019s smaller, predominantly rural communities. To view the complete list of 2024 awardees, click here.Bipartisan Early Childhood Proposal Introduced in Kansas House and Senate~Compromise Bill Streamlines Child Care Licensure and Regulatory Structures, Consolidates Existing Early Childhood Programs~TOPEKA (1.31.2025) %u2013 Governor Laura Kelly and a bipartisan group of Kansas legislators announced Friday that an early childhood compromise bill was introduced into both chambers of the Kansas Legislature. This bill streamlines the child care licensure processes and consolidates existing early childhood programs into the Office of Early Childhood.%u201cBy consolidating services, we can better support our youngest Kansans and provide communities with the tools they need to increase access to affordable, quality care,%u201d Governor Laura Kelly said.%u201cThis compromise agreement will increase government efficiency, transparency, and accountability while streamlining how we provide these critical services, allowing Kansas to support young families, businesses, and communities in every corner of the state.%u201dUnder this proposal, early childhood licensure and regulatory structures would be streamlined by clarifying professional qualification requirements and developing clear career progression pathways for early educators. The bill also authorizes the use of pilot programs for new licensure categories and eliminates the fee required for child care licensure.%u201cThis bipartisan child care bill removes the burdensome government red tape and provides additional child care slots to communities all across Kansas, both rural and urban,%u201d said Senator Tory Marie Blew, Kansas Senate District 33. %u201cI look forward to getting this bill across the finish line and helping Kansas families.%u201dThe bill consolidates nearly 20 existing state programs designed to support children and families into a single entity, the Office of Early Childhood. These programs include child care licensing, child care subsidy, home visitation, the current operations of the Kansas Children%u2019s Cabinet and Trust Fund, and Head Start programs. The Office would be led by an executive director who would serve as Kansas%u2019 lead administrator for these services, be accountable for the state%u2019s early childhood system, and serve legislators and communities with needs relating to early childhood care and education. The current staff and program costs would be retained, as these functions already exist in state government.%u201cAccess to safe, high-quality childcare is essential for Kansas families and our workforce. This legislation provides a bipartisan solution that simplifies regulations, improves government efficiency, and removes unnecessary barriers that have limited childcare availability,%u201d said Representative Laura Williams, Kansas House District 30. %u201cBy streamlining processes while upholding strict safety