The Alliance invests in advocacy activities “outside government” to inform policy debates. We invest in both traditional and non-traditional organizations, including child advocates, business and civic leaders, law enforcement, and national non-profit organizations. Activities include: technical assistance, policy development, facilitating, peer-to-peer learning, communication support, participating in special events, and information dissemination. The Alliance has a particular focus in the following states: California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.
 

The Alliance invests in effective leadership “inside government” from policymakers and administrators to change policies and make appropriate budget allocations. Alliance grantees develop, monitor, analyze, and disseminate information on early childhood state policy to inform the debate among state policymakers. Current policy priorities include: Economic Recovery Act implementation, child care quality/subsidy, Early Head Start expansion, workforce quality, quality rating and improvement systems, data systems, Medicaid optimization for young children, home visiting, and prekindergarten. In addition, Alliance-funded experts provide technical assistance to support state efforts and implementation of federal initiatives.

The Alliance invests in knowledge creation and information sharing. We support new research, policy analysis/synthesis, and dissemination to inform advocacy and leadership activities. Grantees conduct data collection, research synthesis and translation in areas as diverse as early care and education workforce, professional development, program evaluation, and developmental neuroscience. Grantees work to communicate important research findings and their real world implications with the goal of promoting innovative state programs and policies.