The Sandbox: October 2026
Montgomery County is fortunate to have State and County leaders who recognize the importance of supporting children, families, employees, and employers. But as child care costs continue to rise, our programs and policies must keep pace with families’ needs. Read more about proposed changes and a chance to make your voice heard in this month’s Sandbox.
The Sandbox: September 2026
In the September edition of The Sandbox, Children’s Opportunity Alliance Executive Director Kimberly Rusnak examines the history of the Head Start program, unpacks its influence in Montgomery County, and previews the potential impact of the proposed federal changes.
The Sandbox: August 2026
In the latest edition of The Sandbox, Executive Director Kimberly Rusnak shares why the Alliance created Thrive By 5 MoCo and how it will support local families.
The Sandbox: July 2026
In the latest edition of The Sandbox, Emma Covas, a summer intern at the Alliance, is joined by Board member and business leader Kevin Beverly for a conversation about why employers should prioritize ECE support.
The Sandbox: June 2026
In the latest edition of The Sandbox, Emma Covas, a summer intern at the Alliance, shares insights into the Neighborhood Ambassador Initiative, a pilot program to help families identify and access early childhood resources and supports.
The Sandbox: Affordability and Access: Navigating the Cost of Early Care and Education
In the latest edition of The Sandbox, Executive Director Kimberly Rusnak discusses the affordability crisis facing families in Montgomery County and explores the resources available to support them.
The Sandbox: Montgomery County Voters Are Clear: Invest in Early Care and Education
In the April edition of The Sandbox, Executive Director Kimberly Rusnak breaks down data from a poll of more than 500 voters in Montgomery County to learn more about support for early care and education (ECE) funding. County residents shared a strong, unified message: an investment in young children is an investment in our future.
The Sandbox: Sharing the Realities of the ECE Workforce
In the February edition of The Sandbox, Executive Director Kimberly Rusnak reflects on the powerful stories shared by ECE educators in the recent Educator Stories Forum.
The Sandbox: Turning Commitment to Action: A Year of Partnership
In the December edition of The Sandbox, Executive Director Kimberly Rusnack introduces the latest Annual Report and celebrates the progress made in 2025.
The Sandbox: The Workforce Behind the Workforce: Building Systemic Support for ECE Educators
The November edition of The Sandbox examines the current state of the ECE workforce in Montgomery County, and makes the case for immediate and sustainable action to support these educators.
The Sandbox: What We Learned from the FY24 Fiscal Map: Prioritizing Smart Investments in our County’s Youngest Children
The October edition of The Sandbox breaks down the key findings from the FY24 fiscal map report and makes the case for continued investment in our early care and education system.
The Sandbox: The Power of Collective Advocacy
In the September edition of The Sandbox, Executive Director Kimberly Rusnak discusses the vital role of collective advocacy in transforming our ECE system.
The Sandbox: From Ideas to Action - Launching the Common Agenda Work Groups
In the August edition of The Sandbox, Executive Director Kimberly Rusnak discusses the recent launch of three work groups and a steering committee, all in support of the same goal: transforming the ECE system in Montgomery County.
The Sandbox: Seeing the Whole Elephant - Listening, Learning, and Lifting Up Educator Voices in Early Care Expansion
In the July 2025 edition of The Sandbox, Executive Director Kimberly Rusnak reflects on the power of listening, collaboration, and community expertise in expanding equitable early care and education in Montgomery County.
The Sandbox: Unpacking Kindergarten Readiness
In the May 2025 edition of The Sandbox, Executive Director Kimberly Rusnak explores why the Alliance is focused on Kindergarten readiness as its north-star goal for the work ahead.
The Sandbox: Five Questions with Author Dan Wuori
The Alliance is excited to welcome Dan Wuori to The Sandbox! He is the founder and president of Early Childhood Policy Solutions, a public policy consultancy focused on the needs of America's young children and their families. We sat down to chat about the current state of early care and education ahead of an in-person conversation on Monday, April 28.
First Steps: Reflections on Progress
In the March 2025 edition of The Sandbox, Executive Director Kimberly Rusnak shares how the Alliance is focusing on the practices and strategies that will best meet the needs of our children, our families, and our community at large.