August 2026 Newsletter
The Sandbox: Thrive By 5 MoCo
The Children’s Opportunity Alliance recently launched Thrive By 5 MoCo, a new website that helps families navigate early care and education (ECE) resources available in Montgomery County. In this month’s edition of The Sandbox, Executive Director Kimberly Rusnak dives into the “why” behind the site.
Families in Montgomery County have access to a wide variety of resources and child care options – but finding information about cost and availability can be complicated. Thrive By 5 MoCo aims to change that by serving as a centralized source of information for families seeking high-quality ECE experiences, financial assistance, health services, and more. Easier access to information means that more children will receive the education they need to show up to Kindergarten ready to learn and thrive.
Make Your Voice Heard: Oppose Proposed Federal Head Start Changes
Head Start is a vital program for young children and an important community resource. However, recently proposed federal changes would significantly weaken it.
Montgomery County leadership released a statement opposing these changes, based on a 60-year local partnership with Head Start. The statement cites some of the most important pieces of this partnership:
Children thrive with stable, high-quality early learning environments.
Bilingualism is a strength.
Parents must have a voice.
A strong workforce supports strong children.
Equity depends on consistent quality.
The Children’s Opportunity Alliance stands with Montgomery County leadership in opposition to changes to Head Start. We encourage our community to submit a public comment by Oct. 6, 2026.
Reminder to Business Owners & Key Staff: Complete Our Survey on Child Care Benefits & Policies
If you’re an employer in Montgomery County, there is still time to share your perspective! The Alliance and Maryland Family Network are conducting a comprehensive study of family-friendly workplace policies and child care benefits. This study will examine the benefits employers currently offer, the barriers that prevent businesses from doing more, and the solutions that would make the biggest difference.
Please take 5-10 minutes to complete this confidential survey. The survey closes on September 30, 2026 – and your input will help us understand the challenges businesses face and identify practical solutions that work for employers and families alike.
Back to School: Enroll in Pre-K
It’s back-to-school season in Montgomery County! There are still seats available for many community-based and MCPS Pre-K programs in this new school year, which may be free for eligible families of 3- and 4-year-old children. To learn more about local Pre-K options, including how to apply, visit the Pre-K page of Thrive By 5 MoCo.
