Looking Back on 20 Years of Early Childhood Systems Building and 20 Years of the BUILD Initiative
This session was a BUILD 2022 National Conference pre-conference session.
BUILD leaders Susan Hibbard and Sherri Killins Stewart and national early childhood leader/mentor/inspiration Joan Lombardi reflected on the progress in early childhood systems development over the last 20 years and the challenges that remain. They talked about how intentionally seeking to benefit children and families who have been marginalized by our institutions and structures is essential, advancing racial equity and systems building are intertwined, and how thinking and work on state and community connections has evolved. They also discussed how their views have changed over time about leaders and leadership, leading from anywhere/everywhere, acting within one’s role and responsibility, and using one’s role and influence to shift policy and practice, and working together across sectors. The webinar included short video appearances of some of BUILD’s earliest partnerships with state leaders and funders.
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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.
No Place to Grow: Rethinking Homelessness Through a Whole-Child, Whole-Family Lens
Archived Webinar June 11, 2025
Imagine trying to raise your joyful, curious two-year-old in a walk-in closet. There’s no room for toys, no space to play, and every sound echoes too loudly. You’re constantly on edge—not because you’re hiding your child, but because you’re worried that the typical noise of a developing toddler might be too much for the homeowner. The fear of losing even this small, temporary space looms during everyday moments, from enjoying your child’s laughter to dealing with their tantrums. This is what homelessness can look like for families across the country—living in cramped, unstable conditions that threaten not just housing security, but a child’s developmental foundation.
When It’s Too Hot to Play, Sleep, or Learn: Supporting Children and Caregivers in a Warming World
Archived Webinar May 12, 2025
When we think about young children and temperature, we often think about cold conditions and the protections needed to stay warm and safe. But how often do we consider the opposite: extreme heat? As climate change drives temperatures higher, extreme heat is becoming a more frequent and dangerous part of everyday life, especially for young children and caregivers living in under-resourced communities.