Strengthening Connections: State Approaches to Connecting Families to Services

Families with young children face significant barriers in finding and accessing services to meet their needs. A complex array of services exists across health, early care and education, economic assistance, and family supports. However, services and supports are rarely coordinated and are too frequently divided by where families live or how much income they have. There is limited help for families attempting to navigate a complex system.

State partners can be leaders in developing approaches to better connect families to services, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. In this case study, ZERO TO THREE shares a series of state profiles from Louisiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington that illustrate how states have used policy levers to strengthen families’ connections to services, highlighting innovative partnerships and initiatives. The authors also offer some questions for states to consider as they design and implement strategies to strengthen families’ connections to services and supports.