Crafting Early Learning Standards for a Multi-Ethnic Society: Lessons Learned from Washington and Alaska
Early learning standards or benchmarks are at the core of society’s defining how and what children need to learn, what is expected of them at different developmental stages, and what caregivers and educators are expected to do in helping them learn. This policy brief describes the experiences in Washington and Alaska so that other states can learn from and build upon their pioneering and important efforts to address language and cultural issues in the development of guiding frameworks and expectations for how young children grow and acquire knowledge.
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History in Wisconsin: Who Was Missing and Why Is This Important?
Archived Meeting Resources July 24, 2025
We launched an engaging and transformative mini-series focused on the power of collaboration in shaping policies and programs that impact children and families. Parents, educators, community leaders, researchers, and advocacy leaders from across Wisconsin began sharing their stories about supporting systems change in early care and education. In this session, we discussed Wisconsin's history, identified who was absent from the conversation, and explored why their involvement is crucial.
Under the Surface: Confronting Housing Access in Early Childhood
Archived Webinar July 16, 2025
Meet Monique Fountain Hanna: The BUILD Initiative’s Newest Staff Member
Blog June 30, 2025
The BUILD Initiative is thrilled to welcome Monique Fountain Hanna, MD, MPH, MBA, to our staff as Interim Director of State Services. Monique has over 23 years of experience transforming public health systems; driving health equity; overseeing the development of infant, maternal, and child health-serving systems; and advancing quality standards across the country.