Ashley Davison, Author at Alliance for Early Success

Oklahoma Advocates Celebrate a Hard-Won Benefit for Child Care Workers

July 7, 2026

When state funding passed for Oklahoma’s Teacher Recruitment & Retention Program (TRR) in 2025, the program became one of the first in the nation to appropriate a budget for free child care benefits to eligible employees working in licensed child care facilities. Advocates say it’s a big step in directly addressing the recruitment and retention crisis that has long destabilized Oklahoma’s child care workforce.

Now in its Third Year, Microgranting Program is Building Collective Power in Alaska

June 22, 2026

Alaska Children’s Trust is rethinking how advocacy happens. Since beginning in 2023, a microgranting strategy is redefining who gets to participate in advocacy and is helping to build the collective power necessary to elevate children and family issues across the state.

Alliance for Early Success - Colorado Early Childhood

Colorado Becomes the First State in the Country to Expand Paid Family and Medical Leave Program to Include Parents with Children in the NICU

June 9, 2026

Colorado has become the first-in-the-nation to expanded its paid family and medical leave program to include paid NICU-specific leave. The benefit became available in January of 2026.

Alliance Webinar on Cross-Cultural Communication, Protocol, and Consensus-Building

May 27, 2026

Explore cross-cultural communication, tribal protocol, and consensus-building strategies for respectful collaboration with Native Nations and communities.

Rhode Island Advocates Leverage Alliance Responsive Support to Quickly Backfill SNAP Cuts With State TANF Funds

May 25, 2026

In fall 2025, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was suddenly threatened during the federal government shutdown, when the federal administration halted payments. In response, Rhode Island advocates leveraged Alliance responsive support to help backfill SNAP cuts with state TANF funds.

Serv and Return: Navigating Anti-Vaccine Legislation and the Narrative Battles Behind It

May 6, 2026

Serv and Return highlights how Alliance allies responded to Ohio anti-vaccine legislation with coalition-building, health messaging, and narrative strategy.

Nebraska Advocates Turn Child Care Tax Credits into a High-Demand Tool for Families and Providers

April 16, 2026

Nebraska advocates demonstrated how the Alliance for Early Success’s flexible funding and expert support can help state advocates turn a promising idea into measurable progress for young children and the adults who care for them. Advocates recognized that tax credits could be a powerful tool for strengthening the state’s child care system—but only if families, providers, and employers actually used them. First Five Nebraska designed a package of credits paired with a communications and outreach strategy. Their approach also offers a simple playbook for other states.

Alliance Webinar on Cultural Humility and Power Dynamics: Reflection, Bias, and Shared Leadership with Native Communities

April 14, 2026

This webinar focused on Native American communities and examined how power operates within early childhood systems—and within ourselves. Understanding the policy landscape and the historical harm experienced by Native American children, families, and communities was essential, but meaningful partnership also required examining bias, positionality, and the ways institutions continue to shape access, authority, and decision-making.

Serv and Return: Rising Liability Insurance Costs and Licensing Data Concerns

April 2, 2026

Allies responded to a listserv request from an advocate in Illinois about rising liability insurance costs and licensing data concerns. This question prompted many responses and perspectives, showcasing the unique expertise within the Alliance Network.

Ashley Davison