Leading for Early Childhood Workforce Equity: A Legislative Panel
This session was presented during the BUILD 2021 National Conference.
Our early childhood workforce (including early childhood educators working in public and private preschools; home- and center-based childcare providers; home visitors; early interventionists; doulas, etc.) does the essential work of caring for and educating our youngest citizens and providing critical services for families. Yet, far too often they live near or below the poverty line. In this plenary session, hear from elected officials from several states that understand the issues related to the devastatingly low wages of this workforce and are working to change these education and health systems that have perpetuated economic oppression.
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Leading an Early Childhood Team Through the Quality Improvement Process
Article October 7, 2026
Published in Young Children, this 2024 article provides an operational guide for aligning state QIS requirements with broader national standards, quality grants, and staff incentives.
Much-Needed Changes in Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement Systems Should Promote Equity
Blog October 7, 2026
Blog authors Gina Adams and Danielle Ewen outline systemic flaws in traditional models. This 2024 blog details how traditional QRIS frameworks often inadequately support parents, underinvest in actual center improvement, and inadvertently exacerbate funding inequalities among diverse childcare providers.
Four Trends in Early Care and Education Quality Rating and Improvement Systems
Fact Sheet October 7, 2026
This 2024 brief evaluates Parent Aware (Minnesota's system) and synthesizes interviews across six states (Delaware, Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington). It identifies critical, modern pathways for administrators looking to overhaul and redesign state frameworks.