Designing Meetings to Ensure Equity of Voice: Using Tools and Processes to Ensure Inclusive Meetings
This session was presented during BUILD 2022 National Conference.
How can state leaders invite everyone’s voice to the table when tackling adaptive challenges? What is the role of the leader in designing and facilitating engaging equitable dialogue and actionable results? Leaders can design productive meetings focused on challenges where voice and inquiry are essential. The University of Florida has created a framework called the ‘Cookie’ that considers content, structure, process, and conditions while helping empower participants to share their wisdom. This session explored how to ensure engagement, promote equity, and invite voices to collaborative problem solve through the use of intentional protocols and the co-creation of norms.
Explore More
Head Start Under Threat: What the Field is Saying
Research September 8, 2026
Over the past few months, HHS has advanced two related sets of proposed changes to Head Start. National, state, and local partners across the early childhood field have raised serious concerns about both. This document is a summary of what our partners are saying, followed by concrete actions and resources for you and your organization. The content reflects our partners' own statements and comments — we agree with what they've said and are sharing it here with full source attribution. Updated September 8, 2026.
Where We Stand on Head Start
Blog August 18, 2026
For more than 60 years, Head Start has provided high-quality child care, comprehensive services, and a two-generation approach that helps families furthest from opportunity access early learning, development, health, and family well-being supports.
Connecting the Dots: Holistic Help for Women and Children Experiencing Homelessness
Blog July 27, 2026
At a time when marginalized populations are more vulnerable than ever, it’s inspiring to hear from individuals who have prevailed over dire circumstances. Their stories give us hope. The formerly homeless single mothers spotlighted here are resolute and resourceful. But they’d be the first to say that they likely wouldn’t be where they are today without the supports they received along the way.