PA - Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is a dual deputate of the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Education (PDE).  

OCDEL is responsible for implementing the majority of the Commonwealth's state and federally funded early learning initiatives. This includes licensing, capacity-building, and quality improvement for child care; eligibility determination for subsidized child care services; support for families of young children through home visiting; Early Intervention (EI) services Birth through Three and Preschool EI; and the prekindergarten programs Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program and Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts. The work of the office is focused on increasing access to and the continuous quality improvement of services to children, including enhancing the qualifications of the early childhood workforce.