The Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP), a program of the Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities at UMBC, is a workforce initiative designed to accelerate cross-sector leadership in early childhood. MECLP believes that developing and supporting strong leaders will catalyze positive change and significantly improve school readiness and related outcomes for early learners, particularly disadvantaged and vulnerable children and their families. MECLP expects to position Maryland at the vanguard in developing transformative early childhood leaders in Maryland and nationally by accomplishing its results:
- Improve outcomes for young children, families and communities.
- Effect State level change in systems, policies and programs through cross sector early childhood leadership.
- Advocate for equitable high-quality early childhood care and education experiences for all children.
- Create a broad and diverse network of early childhood professionals recognized as transformative leaders in the field, creating a workforce pipeline.