The National Governors Association (NGA) released a report this month on “Optimizing Federal COVID Relief Funds: State Perspectives on Bolstering Child Care and Early Childhood Systems.”
NGA examines 14 states and how they strategically approached managing and administering COVID-19 relief funds in the areas of:
- Aligning on state priorities
- Relying on state governance structures and coordination
- Authorizing the disbursement of federal funds
- Disbursing funds, including the application process
- Modernizing data systems and strengthening data collection
The report finds that “states have proven they can build the necessary infrastructure and operations that fully appreciate the business model of the early childhood sector with consistent investments in resources, necessary flexibilities, and integrated systems.”
Our Thriving Together Spotlight features ways that Thrive Architects advises and collaborates with clients to move the sphere of change forward.
“Optimizing Federal COVID Relief Funds: State Perspectives on Bolstering Child Care and Early Childhood Systems” was written by Dana T. Weekes, Principal of Thrive Architects, and Jessica N. Drapela and Malaïka John, with support from NGA Center staff, including Jessica Kirchner, Elijah McCabe, Ekaan Ahmad, and Jordan Hynes.
Dana T. Weekes
I am the Founder & Principal of Thrive Architects, a public policy and professional development firm offering strategic policy advising, policy education and training, and coaching and rest programs. I am committed to building change-based platforms that help organizations and communities enact meaningful change and for advocates to prioritize their well-being while serving others.