Grant Tracker

Once upon a time, a tool was created with a simple yet powerful purpose: to make vital information about early childhood programs easily accessible to everyone. This tool was designed for the public, open to anyone who needed it—whether they were ECECD employees, government officials, organizations, or everyday citizens. It didn’t require special permissions or hidden access. But soon, the focus shifted. It became clear that the tool needed to serve a greater purpose, beyond just being available—it needed to be useful.

The first goal was to help ECECD employees quickly understand where funds were going. They needed an easy way to see how money was being spent across the state, which areas were receiving the most support, and the overall impact of their work. The second goal focused on government officials and elected representatives, who would rely on this tool to see the real-world effects of their decisions.
They needed to track how funds were being used to improve early childhood services and ensure that the state’s investments were making a difference where it mattered most.

So, a financial dashboard was born. It didn’t just show numbers; it told a story. The dashboard highlighted the total amount of funds spent, how many children were helped, and how many providers were supported. It offered a clear snapshot of the system’s reach, helping both employees and officials understand the impact of their work.But building this dashboard wasn’t just about creating something new—it was about helping users understand it. A key realization emerged: when introducing a new way of thinking, a strategy for educating users is just as important as the tool itself. The state needed to ensure everyone understood how to use the dashboard effectively, so they could make informed decisions based on its data.

Just one year later, the results were clear. New Mexico had already begun planning the next phase, enhancing its Early Childhood Integrated Data System (ECIDS) to secure even more crucial program funding. The tool was no longer just a dashboard—it had become a valuable resource, helping shape the future of early childhood education in the state.