Strengthening the Capacity of States to Develop Comprehensive, Integrated, and Equity-Based Systems
Our team applies early childhood research and expertise to support states in their ability to create comprehensive early childhood systems that maximize equity, program effectiveness, coherence, and sustainability to ensure the best outcomes for children and their families. Work includes addressing systems to build the capacity of state-level or large-scale mixed-delivery early childhood systems through cross-sector, integrated service delivery, equity-based system-building efforts, training and technical assistance, and initiatives to support the whole child, whole family, and whole community.
We work with states to provide recommendations on all aspects of the early childhood system, including consideration of demographic, geographic, and economic diversity.
- Building cross-system capacity and streamlining state and local governance
- Elevating and strengthening parent voices and connections to early learning and care with a focus on underserved communities
- Developing a unified professional learning system and supporting ECE workforce in accessing professional learning opportunities for personal growth and career advancement
- Increasing the supply and quality of early learning and care opportunities by aligning standards, systems, and supports
Our Work in Action
Our experts promote and advance the healthy development of young children by helping families, communities, the early childhood workforce, and policymakers understand the essential supports young children need to thrive.
Examples of our work include partnering with states to:
- Develop methodologies that establish reimbursement rates and recommendations for a single, regionalized reimbursement rate system for childcare, preschool, and early learning services
- Establish and convene working groups to assess the quality standards for childcare and development and preschool programs
- Focus on core functions needed within evolving early learning and care quality systems
- Help local and state leaders and agencies create transformative equity-centered systems that balance statewide cohesiveness and efficiency with local contexts and needs
