Critical Connections Podcast Season 1

Every child deserves an equal chance to reach her or his full potential. Our new podcast, Critical Connections, gathers state and community leaders to highlight local collaborations in the development of early childhood systems that can make a difference for all children.

The COVID-19 crisis, the economic downturn it prompted, and the racial inequities it exacerbated brought into sharp focus both the benefits of well-aligned systems, and the urgency of bridging the divide between the needs of marginalized children and families and the dearth of solutions that adequately serve those needs.

Building equitable institutions, processes, and services will be an ongoing effort until all children and families have access to the programs and services that help them thrive. This series focuses on the importance of strong state and community connections for developing early childhood systems that make a difference for all children.

Listen to the podcast with host Karen Ponder, Distinguished Fellow at the BUILD Initiative.

Click here for Season 2 of Critical Connections.

In Minnesota, Designing and Re-designing Systems that Work

Podcast January 19, 2022

Minnesota has gathered a group of community-based organizations and tribal nations to envision pathways to early childhood statewide systems. Host Karen Ponder and BUILD executive director Susan Hibbard discuss state-funded initiatives with Jovon Perry, director of Economic Assistance and Employment Supports at Minnesota’s Children and Family Services, and Cindi Yang, director of the Child Care Services Division of Children and Family Services.

Community Partnerships That Respect Tribal Sovereignty in Arizona

Podcast December 3, 2021

First Things First, Arizona’s early childhood agency, has worked over time with the many Native American tribes in the state to develop a tribal consultation model that works for both sides. With the shared goal of supporting healthy development for young children and their families, they’ve found ways to balance the state government’s data and policy needs with protecting the privacy and power of sovereign tribal nations. Host Karen Ponder speaks with Councilwoman Carletta Tilousi, an elected member of the Havasupai tribal council, and Liz Barker Alvarez, chief policy advisor at First Things First.

Alignment, Coordination, and Equity through Oregon’s “Tight-Loose Model”

Podcast October 29, 2021

Oregon’s statewide early learning system balances state and local priorities through a framework which is based on a collective impact model. The state has developed three high level goals for the system, and local partners have leeway to design programs, collect their own data, and attend to their own local issues and needs. Host Karen Ponder delves into the details of this with Denise Swanson, the Early Learning Hub Manager in the Early Learning Division, and Kristi Collins, the Early Learning Hub Director in Linn, Benton and Lincoln Counties which includes the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.

Building Trust and a Shared Vision in Virginia

Podcast October 7, 2021

Virginia’s early childhood statewide system, Smart Beginnings, was created in 2005. Host Karen Ponder speaks to Kathy Glazer, president of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, and Abby Hamilton, president and CEO of United Way of Roanoke Valley, about this locally-driven enterprise creating community commitment to school readiness.

The Dance of Balancing Local and State Partners in North Carolina

Podcast September 28, 2021

Host Karen Ponder dives into the first formal statewide early childhood system in the nation: North Carolina’s Smart Start, which she herself managed for its first 15 years. She speaks with Amy Cubbage, president of the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC), and Gayle Headen, executive director of Wake County Smart Start.

Giving Kids a Great Start in Michigan

Podcast September 1, 2021

Host Karen Ponder speaks with two leaders from Michigan’s Great Start Collaboratives: Rachel Pritchard, Great Start Specialist at the Michigan Department of Education and Flavia Maccio, Parent Coalition Coordinator of the Great Start Collaborative in Oakland County.

Critical Connections: Podcast Trailer

Podcast July 12, 2021

This series focuses on the importance of strong state and community connections for developing early childhood systems that make a difference for all children. You’ll hear about some key ingredients needed to build and sustain this work.