Sometimes a window suddenly opens in a state that provides a time-sensitive opportunity to get a big win for kids. Sometimes a threat suddenly emerges that could undo years of progress. The real world of on-the-ground state advocacy doesn’t always coincide with well-planned grant years, and the Alliance is committed to supporting state allies in these moments when big advances can be seized or big losses can be averted. As part of our investment in our national allies, we require them to set aside bandwidth for rapid response to our state allies.
Rapid response requests for assistance and consultation are by definition unexpected and unplanned. National allies provide rapid response assistance to address a range of situations – from a simple question from a stakeholder to an opportunity or a threat that emerges during the legislative session. Take a look at some occasions when rapid response from the Alliance made the difference.
Alliance Rapid Response in Action:
When the National Governors Association heard that the administration in Montana was looking to learn more about Pre-K strategies in rural states, they turned to the Alliance for Early Success — and allies in Alabama — to deliver.
When the Louisiana Department of Education sought to change the state’s prohibitive work 30-hour-per-week work requirement for a child care subsidy, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children quickly partnered with the Center for Law and Social Policy to make the case for a significant adjustment.
When Kansas faced the possibility of losing funding for its entire early childhood education system, allies pulled out all the stops to protect it. Kansas Action for Children describes the successful rapid response in this moment of crisis.
"The most important thing I can convey to you and your Alliance colleagues is that your support makes me and Maryland Family Network stronger, smarter, and more effective in ways that transcend financial resources, technical assistance, and collegial guidance — as deeply valued as those things are. There’s a “whole” to the Alliance that’s much greater than the sum of its parts. I’m proud that I can say that from experience and excited to see all that we have yet to achieve."
