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Resource Collection: Project HOPE Protocols to Support a Leadership Learning Journey

A set of protocols, developed for a Project HOPE Leadership Institute, are broadly applicable as systems building tools and can be easily adapted for other projects.

BUILD is participating in a multi-state effort called Project HOPE – Harnessing Opportunities for Positive Early Childhood. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the project supports state leaders to increase healthy development and wellbeing by shifting programs and initiatives to increase access to opportunities for young children and families in vulnerable communities with significant disparities.

These protocols were created as resources for a 2019 HOPE Leadership Institute to support state teams in developing their own tools to support their leadership development by:

  • Creating shared knowledge among the leaders participating across early childhood systems regarding the inequities young children, their families, and communities face.
  • Understanding and appreciating the contributions, perspectives, directives, and responsibilities of multiple partners in the early childhood system.
  • Building and increasing capacity for shared action within the early childhood systems to advance positive outcomes for children and families in each state.

Taking Action Protocol

Planning Tool July 1, 2018

This protocol is designed to increase understanding of the root causes of poor outcomes and disparities in a selected community and to provide insights about how targeting can address opportunities and challenges.

Early Childhood Systems Infrastructure Analysis Protocol

Planning Tool July 1, 2018

This protocol helps state leaders list and analyze the existing cross-systems structures in their state that address early childhood and family issues. It can provide information to help determine if there is a structure best positioned to advance and institutionalize the cross-systems strategic action needed over time to address equity challenges.

Feedback Loop Protocol

Planning Tool July 1, 2018

The goal of the feedback loop is to develop an ongoing and consistent interpersonal relationship between beneficiaries and providers of state programs, services, and initiatives. This protocol helps state leaders create feedback loops to gain insight from beneficiaries to inform program and service creation and build trusting, long-term relationships with the communities they serve.

Beneficiary Visit Protocol

Planning Tool July 1, 2018

Listening to beneficiary voice helps state leaders consider how individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and identities experience the programs and services created within state early childhood systems. This protocol provides guidance for setting up a beneficiary visit to collect information on what families’ goals are for their young children, what programs and services work or do not work well, and where opportunities to meet family needs simply do not exist.

Blueprint for Early Childhood Federal Policy

Planning Tool July 1, 2018

Federal policies designed to benefit young children and communities are pursued through the implementation of regulations and funding streams. This protocol is designed to review the intent of a federal policy, map state discretion, and build a bigger picture of the resources designed to support young children, their families and their communities.

Leadership Learning Journey

Planning Tool July 1, 2018

This protocol focuses on getting to know (or getting to know better) a potential or existing partner so that you have an understanding of that partner’s goals, challenges, and efforts and how they relate to yours. This increased understanding can improve communication, coordination and collaboration to better benefit young children and families.