Strengthening Early Childhood Systems: Applied Strategies From the Water of Systems Change Framework
This resource series provides actionable strategies that states and communities can use to create lasting systems change for young children and families.
Grounded in The Water of Systems Change framework, this resource series outlines strategies for six interconnected conditions to drive meaningful and lasting early childhood systems change: policies, practices, resource flows, relationships and connections, power dynamics, and mental models.
Each resource offers research- and expert-informed strategies, along with practical actions, that state and local health systems can use to support early childhood developmental health.
Explore the Strategy Resources
Download the Policies Resource
Policy strategies include:
- Establishing common standards and procedures for early childhood programs, screening, and family engagement.
- Maximizing financing opportunities at the state and local levels.
- Prioritizing a strong workforce so that integrated care can be delivered widely.
Download the Practices Resource
Practice strategies include:
- Promoting authentic family and community involvement in all aspects of the early childhood developmental health system.
- Strengthening care coordination and navigation across the system, with a focus on the family experience.
- Supporting integrated and cross-sector care practices.
Download the Resource Flows Resource
Resource flow strategies include:
- Planning, committing to, and sustaining funding to support coordinated, system-wide efforts.
- Funding initiatives that support and grow the early childhood mental health workforce.
- Investing in infrastructure to promote cross-sector data sharing.
Download the Relationships & Connections Resource
Relationship and connection strategies include:
- Fostering relationships among all systems partners, including providers and families.
- Practicing authentic collaboration to support a high-functioning system.
- Prioritizing communication with families that promotes their role as system-level partners.
Download the Power Dynamics Resource
Power dynamic strategies include:
- Elevating the real-life experiences of families and communities in systems decisions and processes.
- Making family-driven care a priority by building strong partnerships between families and providers.
- Building provider and program capacity to partner with families.
Download the Mental Models Resource
Mental model strategies include:
- Revisiting practices to challenge assumptions, realign values, and sustain innovation.
- Understanding and practicing authentic collaboration.
- Adopting a mindset that prioritizes community experience in systems efforts.
