Grow Your Own ECE: An Introduction

This brief explores the transformative potential of Grow Your Own initiatives in strengthening and sustaining the early care and education (ECE) workforce. These community-driven, equity-centered strategies are designed to cultivate a diverse, well-qualified, and sustainable pipeline of ECE professionals by nurturing the talents and aspirations of individuals from within their own communities. The brief covers the essential elements of Grow Your Own initiatives, explains how they can center equity through specific policies that empower participants and confront injustice, and offers broad guidance for beginning to implement Grow Your Own strategies as a solution for recruitment and retention challenges.