Join an Advisory Group
The Children’s Opportunity Alliance will soon launch three advisory groups – focused on data, developing a common agenda, and business engagement – that will help shape the priorities and initiatives that will move us toward meaningful change by pulling on various levers and strategies within the early childhood system.
Who would thrive as an advisory group member? We are looking for both early childhood experts and community members with diverse skill sets who are interested in helping the field! You can be a parent, an educator, a business leader, a researcher, or anyone who lives or works in Montgomery County and cares about our youngest citizens.
Learn more about the three groups below, and fill out this interest form by June 10 if you’d like to join our work.
Data Advisory Group
The Alliance uses data to continuously identify, adopt, and scale ideas that improve outcomes for young children. We aim to expand the availability, use, and power of data to inform decision-making in our community.
Main goals: This group will initially help us select the data most relevant to our mission and community-wide goals and set up a data dashboard. Eventually, it will deliberate and provide guidance on various aspects related to data analysis, sharing, and accessibility.
Who we’re looking for: People who like to talk about data and help it create meaning for others; bonus points if you’re into visualizing and storytelling with data. We are also looking for early childhood experts who are willing to help ensure that the picture the data paints accurately portrays the field and the issues.
The commitment: One-hour, quarterly meetings starting in July 2024 (held virtually with limited advance prep and follow-up requested)
Common Agenda Advisory Group
A critical legislative duty of the Alliance is to develop a common early childhood agenda that highlights shared priorities for expanding and improving the early childhood system in Montgomery County.
Main goals: This group will help to synthesize, organize, and prioritize the feedback the Alliance receives as we embark on an extensive listening tour across the county, and form it into a comprehensive final agenda.
Who we’re looking for: Visionaries, innovative thinkers, bold leaders – anyone who likes to talk about solutions and is ready to weave a plan that facilitates multiple ideas working together in a coordinated way.
The commitment: We anticipate a condensed project window that will include around four one-to-two-hour virtual and/or in-person meetings over a six-month period, beginning in the summer of 2024.
Business Advisory Group
Montgomery County recognizes that early care and education is an economic imperative for the well-being of children, families, employers, and the greater community. There are many opportunities to strengthen connections between businesses and the child care community and there are numerous roles that business leaders can play in systems building efforts.
Main goals: This group will consider and recommend strategies to engage the business community in expanding and improving the early childhood system.
Who we’re looking for: Business leaders and all those willing to talk with business leaders about early childhood issues.
The commitment: One-hour quarterly meetings starting in September 2024 (two in-person meetings and two virtual meetings, with limited advance prep and follow-up requested)