Partnership for Early Childhood Science and Policy

GOAL: TO BUILD THE LEADERSHIP CAPACITY OF STATE POLICYMAKERS in both the legislative and executive branches to design and implement successful birth to five policies that shift the odds for vulnerable children and their families.

The partnership will consist of three components:

National Symposium on Early Childhood Science and Policy
To help states learn the science of early childhood and apply lessons learned from 40 years of program evaluation research to their policy frameworks, the partners jointly presented a National Symposium on Early Childhood Science and Policy on June 26 - 27, 2008, which took place at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This nonpartisan, educational event shared cutting-edge scientific knowledge and evidence-based conclusions drawn from extensive evaluations of early childhood programs, policies, and interventions. In addition to plenary sessions, state-based teams of legislators, gubernatorial policy advisors, and business and civic leaders had the opportunity to attend breakout sessions to begin to develop action plans. By bringing together diverse constituencies with common goals, we hoped to foster a new kind of conversation that encourages bipartisan, public/private action back home. Additionally, we hope to engage in ongoing collaboration with selected states where timely support can make the most difference in the lives of young children. more

National Symposium to Investigate Cutting-Edge Science of Early Childhood: Press Release
Working Group on Early Childhood Science and Policy
The working group brings together a diverse group of approximately 8-10 policymakers from the legislative and executive branches with a small group of core Center faculty to advise the Center on how the science of child development can have the most impact on state policy nationwide. In addition, the Working Group will:
- explore the relevance of new scientific findings for early childhood policy;
- seek and evaluate innovative new ideas for policy and practice;
- foster rich discussions across the various divides, including academia and the policy community, the executive and legislative branches of state government, and individual state borders.
New Early Childhood Science and Policy Group Formed: Press Release
Issue Advisory Groups
To augment the Working Group, the partners will convene issue specific advisory groups related to early childhood policy concerns on an as-needed basis. Participants from both branches of state government will be invited based on their knowledge and interest in the specific issue at hand, as well as on the positioning of their respective states to move forward an action agenda. Membership on these time-limited advisory groups will involve advice and discussion on the policy and practice implications of relevant science, as well as on Center strategies and publications that bring the science to bear on policy debates. Possible topics include child mental health, the effects of early childhood experience on adult health, and program evaluation data.

Center Partners