Dear John,

As detailed in a recent Start Early statement on federal actions threatening access to child care nationwide , the early childhood field is facing significant and unprecedented challenges. At the same time, advocates and systems leaders across the country are responding with resilience, collaboration, and a shared commitment to children and families. The updates below highlight timely insights, tools, and opportunities to support your work during this critical moment.

Advocacy Resources for Head Start Programs

Together for Head Start: Support for Grantees and Associations

Together for Head Start - a nationwide campaign to build momentum among early childhood professionals, families, and advocates - continues to expand its resources to support Head Start communities across the country.

To support Head Start grantees, Together for Head Start hosts biweekly office hours, where national experts share timely updates and answer questions about emerging federal and policy developments. Grantees can register for office hours here.

In addition, the Together for Head Start team routinely produces webinars and other resources for grantees and advocates. Access these resources on LinkTree.

New Immigration Resources to Support Programs

Creating Safe Spaces: Protecting Child Care Programs Amid Immigration Enforcement

Across the country, immigration enforcement activity continues to affect families, children, and the early childhood programs that serve them. In response, Start Early hosted two webinars exploring how early learning and maternal health leaders can take action to build safer spaces and stronger systems of support for families in uncertain times.

Additionally, Start Early’s Illinois Policy Team has developed a new toolkit to help early care and learning programs navigate immigration enforcement activity within their communities. View the toolkit and webinar recordings here.

A New Tool to Strengthen Early Childhood Systems

Mapping Early Childhood Systems: Using Data to Drive Collaboration and Community Impact

How can communities use data to better understand—and strengthen—the systems that support young children and families?

On December 11, Start Early Consulting launched its Systems Mapping tool through a webinar attended by more than 300 leaders from across the country. During the session, our partners at ROC the Future Alliance and First 5 Contra Costa shared how they are using the tool to integrate data with family and provider perspectives—supporting stronger cross-sector collaboration and improved policies and systems for their communities.

Watch the webinar recording to learn more about Start Early’s Systems Map, a clickable, visual dashboard that organizes data to provide a comprehensive picture of community systems, prenatally through age five.

Looking for support to address the challenges or opportunities in your ECE system? Our Start Early Consulting Team is here to support early childhood systems leaders and advocates. Reach out to us at [email protected].

National Home Visiting Summit. September 25 - 30, 2026

NHVS Early Bird Registration and Call for Proposals

Shape the 2026 National Home Visiting Summit Agenda – Join us in Baltimore!

Save the date! The 2026 National Home Visiting Summit will take place September 29–30, 2026, at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. The Summit brings together policy, practice, and research leaders to advance systems change and strengthen high-quality home visiting services nationwide. The deadline to submit proposals is Monday, Jan. 26 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Learn more about presenting at the 2026 conference.

Early bird rates have been extended through March 31, or until seats sell out. Space is limited.

Timely Policy Resources

ICYMI – Articles and Briefs for Advocates and Public Sector Leaders

Child Care: Articles and resources about the recent federal actions impacting child care and other family support programs. .

First Five Years Fund: STATE OF PLAY: Child Care Accountability and Oversight and Joint Statement from National Organizations on Federal Child Care Program
The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP): How the Trump Administration has Undermined Child Care and Early Education Programs in 2025

Children with Disabilities: New resources for advocates and a recent report highlights the important role the federal government plays in administering the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Strengthening Systems: Articles highlighting recent success and new efforts to strengthen early childhood services and supports.

National Governors Association: Strengthening Rural Maternal Mental Health
First Five Years Fund (FFYF): A Year of Progress: 10 Bright Spots for Child Care & Early Learning

Start Early advances quality early learning for families with children, before birth through their earliest years, to close the opportunity gap.

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