Early Childhood Systems Building from a Community Perspective – Issue Brief

Even when children and their families have access to support services from a variety of programs and organizations—such as early learning centers, nutrition programs, and pediatric, nursing, dental and mental health care providers—there are challenges in connecting families to these services. The result is that families often have a difficult time learning about, applying for and taking advantage of the services that could benefit their children. This issue brief, prepared for The Colorado Trust by Julia Coffman of the Center for Evaluation Innovation and Susan Parker of Clear Thinking Communications, explains systems building as an intentional, organized way to create or improve a system of early care and education services for children.