With potential drastic cuts in federal funding on the horizon, public education and other child- and youth-serving sectors face significant challenges. This brief explores the possible impacts of these changes and provides strategic recommendations for state education leaders and their counterparts in other government agencies.

Research and recent evidence suggest that collaboration and coalition building can strengthen individual, team, and systemwide effectiveness in executing state legislative and executive mandates. This brief explores cross-agency collaboration and how state leaders can enhance services and supports for children and youths, turning the shifting federal landscape into an opportunity for greater impact.