The 2018 Conference will present the latest research surrounding child care, Head Start, Early Head Start, home visiting, child welfare, special education, pre-kindergarten, early elementary, and other early childhood programs. The goals of ACF’s National Research Conference on Early Childhood 2018 (NRCEC 2018) are to identify and disseminate research relevant to young children (birth to 8 years) and their families, and encourage collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to build upon the evidence base for policy and practice. Populations of interest include low-income families, as well as populations that may require specialized services, including but not limited to dual language learners, children affected by trauma or homelessness, children from immigrant/migrant families, children in foster care, and children with disabilities.