What We Do

Policies, and the systems that are created by them, define the context in which support for children and families takes place. They define the eligibility criteria, expectations, and funding-levels of programs; the credentials and training of those working in the system; and how individuals and organizations are monitored, incentivized, and held accountable. These characteristics often vary significantly across different federal and state programs despite serving similar populations. We help states, cities, and organizations design more effective systems where multiple system components move in the same direction to achieve a common goal. Our deep knowledge of policy and practice, and ability “to see the whole field,” help clients design and navigate systems that enable them to achieve their goals for children and families.

Our technical assistance is relationship-based, content-rich, and there on demand. Even within the same project, organizations have different technical assistance needs at different times. Our technical assistance model consists of providing support for specific questions or needs that arise during implementation, creating knowledge products and briefs to inform action, and managing a community of practice to support stakeholders learning from one another.

Organizations that are most effective in making meaningful changes for children and families work strategically to leverage opportunities, fundraise, and respond to their specific environmental context. We use a strategic planning methodology that is effective in both short- and longer-term tactical planning. The process involves a thorough exploration of current conditions such as the policy landscape, research-informed best practices, funding opportunities, and needs of the field. We help organizations identify their “guiding star”—their aspirations for what change looks like and their role in achieving it. To this end, we draw on internal and external perspectives to accurately understand an organization’s strengths and capacity. Our deliverables include a set of clear and measurable organizational goals, actionable strategies to achieve the desired results, and an implementation plan to ensure effective and efficient allocation of resources.

Even the most well-intentioned policies fail if they do not take into account the realities and needs of those “living the system.” Central to our work is lifting up stakeholder voices and experiences to actively shape policy and systems-design. Employing a unique methodology, we use focus groups, interviews, and surveys to create “experience maps.” These maps help us understand what it looks like in practice for parents accessing a child care tuition support program, educators participating in professional development, or prospective students pursuing a degree in early childhood. Comparing these lived experiences to the intended theory of change helps us guide our clients to optimize what is working well and develop solutions for potential “drop-off” points. In addition to connecting the architects of programs and policies to those living the system, we bring together diverse perspectives across roles and sectors and facilitate dialogue that strengthens collective action toward improving the lives of children and families.

There is no better vehicle to take initiatives to scale than policy. Policy changes are seen as long-term and have the potential to impact behavior and program quality across systems for years, withstanding changes in government or agency leadership. However, not all organizations have the capacity or training to effectively use their voices and experiences to influence the way policies are designed and implemented. We provide support to socially conscious organizations to help them become more strategic and effective advocates for policy change.

Grant writing is most effective when you think about the process as a strategic planning effort with the opportunity for funding. Most funding opportunities require the applicant to: (1) describe the problem or needs of the target population, (2) outline a model or strategy that meets those needs, (3) provide evidence of the organizational capacity to successfully implement what is being proposed, and (4) outline an implementation plan with a cost-effective budget. This framework provides applicants with an opportunity to reflect on the needs of those they serve, the solutions they can offer, and their capacity to take the next steps forward. The grant writing assistance we give our clients begins with such strategic planning, creating a rationale that both justifies an adequate budget for the proposal and supports implementation.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to conducting high-quality research and evaluation, but every good study starts out with a great question. Sometimes the most impactful questions are quite simple: What effects are seen when a model is implemented? What trends and patterns are there in stakeholder opinions or needs? Other times the questions are more nuanced: What are the key ingredients of a program and what works, for whom, in which contexts? What gaps exist between the logic model and real-world implementation that prevent the desired results from being achieved? We take an individualized approach to research and evaluation, helping our clients formulate targeted questions that drive the appropriate research design, measure selection, and how results are framed to inform program design, advance policy, or secure funding.