Our Impact
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Securing nearly $1 billion in federal funding for states and organizations
Convening over 50 focus groups bringing together more than 1,000 stakeholders, including early childhood educators, parents, state administrators, professional development and technical assistance providers, advocates, higher education staff, and community members
Facilitating collaborative work across all sectors that touch the lives of children and families, including early care and education, K–12, physical and mental health, nutrition and agriculture, special education, English-language acquisition, philanthropy, and business
Training over 400 early childhood educators and administrators on toxic stress, brain development, resilience, and self-care strategies
Leading the development of statewide early learning standards that build the knowledge caregivers need for effective interactions with young children
Evaluating and improving programs and policies that affect caregiver supports, such as parents’ ability to access and afford high-quality ECE and professional development, higher education, compensation, and workplace climate for ECE educators
Creating practical resources to build connections among families, ECE providers, K–12 settings, and other people and places that touch the lives of young children
Publishing curriculum guides used in over 2,000 classrooms that help children explore healthy eating, cooking, gardening, and where food comes from through play, discovery, and hands-on engagement
Supporting planning and implementation of practices designed to ensure that on the first day of school, every child walks into their kindergarten classroom feeling excited; ready to learn; and supported by their parents, teachers, and community
Scaling innovative models that support the development of infants and toddlers by enhancing their early talk environments and connecting them to comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and mental health services
Our work supporting systems & programs
Enhancing Young Children’s Access to Local Foods and Farm to ECE: Federal Funding Guide (Version 2) (2024)
In Collaboration with ASPHN, FRAC, and NFSN
Full Brief – The Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program: Closing the Early Childhood Leadership Gap in Maryland (2024)
Program evaluation conducted by the Policy Equity Group for the Shriver Center at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
Michigan PreK for All Roadmap (2024)
In collaboration with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential
Michigan PreK for All Implementation Brief (2024)
In collaboration with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential
Early Care & Education 101: An Introduction to ECE in Michigan (2023)
In collaboration with the Early Childhood Investment Corporation
Aligning Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) (2022)
Developed with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Farm to ECE Metrics Guide (2022)
In collaboration with the National Farm to School Network. Developed with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
Farm to Early Childhood Federal Funding Guide (2022)
In collaboration with the Food Research & Action Center, the National Farm to School Network, and The Association for State Public Health Nutritionist. Developed with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and HHS CDC.
Emerging Federal Funding Opportunities for Farm to Early Care and Education (2021)
In collaboration with the Food Research & Action Center and the National Farm to School Network. Developed with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Lessons from the COVID-19 Experience: Innovations and Strategies for Farm to Early Care and Education Implementation in States and Communities (2021)
In collaboration with the National Farm to School Network. Developed with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Improving the Technological Capacity of Maryland’s Early Care and Education System: Stakeholder Perspectives and Recommendations (2021)
In collaboration with the Maryland State Department of Education
Addressing the Infant and Toddler Care Crisis: How States are Using the Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five Renewal Funding to Support Children Younger than Three (2020)
In collaboration with the BUILD Initiative and the National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers
Voices from the Field: Stakeholder Perspectives on Maryland’s Early Childhood Care and Education System (2019)
In collaboration with the Maryland State Department of Education
The Views of State Early Childhood Education Agency Staff on Their Work and Their Vision for Young Children: Informing a Legacy for Young Children by 2030 (2019)
In collaboration with the National Institute for Early Education Research and the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes
Preparing the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B–5 ) Renewal Application Insights and Recommendations Based on an Analysis of the Initial Applications (2019)
In collaboration with the BUILD Initiative
Assessing the Initial Implementation of New K-2 Assessments in Arkansas (2018)
In collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Head Start Collaboration Office
Hope Starts Here: Detroit’s Community Framework for Brighter Futures (2017)
In collaboration with Hope Starts Here: Detroit’s Early Childhood Partnership
Early Learning Ventures Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Model Final Evaluation Report (2017)
In collaboration with Early Learning Ventures
Funding to Exceed: Sustaining a World-Class Early Childhood System to Support the Well-Being and School Readiness of Rhode Island’s Youngest Children (2016)
In collaboration with the Rhode Island Department of Education
Supporting Local Head Start Programs with Farm-to-Early Care and Education Models (2016)
Developed with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The Early Childhood Experience Center Concept (2015)
Developed with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Our work supporting caregivers
Mapping the Landscape of Early Childhood Credential Programs in Idaho (2021)
In collaboration with Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children
Developing an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Professional Development System in Maryland: A Gap Analysis and Strategic Plan (2019)
In collaboration with the Maryland State Department of Education
Unpacking Toxic Stress, ACEs, and the Hidden Power of Resilience & Relationships (2018)
Keynote address at the 2018 Resilient Educator Conference
Extending and Enhancing Literacy Learning in Afterschool Programs: A Practice Guide (2017)
In collaboration with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
The Arkansas School Readiness and Transitions Toolkit: Step-by-Step Guides to Supporting Children and Families Using High-Impact Practices (2017)
In collaboration with the Arkansas Head Start Collaboration Office
Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards: Birth through 60 Months (2016)
In collaboration with the Arkansas Head Start Collaboration Office and the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education
The Early Childhood Family Engagement Framework: Maryland’s Vision for Engaging Families with Young Children (2013)
In collaboration with the Maryland State Department of Education
Our work supporting children’s experiences & relationships
Practical Strategies to Support Resilient Children and Teachers in the Face of Stress (2018)
Presentation at the 2018 Resilient Educator Conference
A Guide to Using The Creative Curriculum® for Infants, Toddlers & Twos to Support Farm-to-ECE Models (2018)
Developed with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
A Guide to Using The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool to Support Farm-to-ECE Models (2017)
Developed with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Extending and Enhancing Literacy Learning in Afterschool Programs: A Practice Guide (2017)
In collaboration with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
The Arkansas School Readiness and Transitions Toolkit: Step-by-Step Guides to Supporting Children and Families Using High-Impact Practices (2017)
In collaboration with the Arkansas Head Start Collaboration Office