In December 2014, the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education was awarded a 5-year, $22.5 million grant to enhance and expand access to quality infant and toddler care in high-need communities as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership grant. Twenty newly hired early care and education professionals, across 17 centers throughout Miami-Dade County, will prepare 320 children to enter kindergarten over the next 5 years. The kick-off hosted at the Center on May 14 brought together partners and staff.