Systems Alignment and Coherence: Opportunities for Alameda County's Early Care and Education System

Abstract

This report examines how First 5 Alameda can lead efforts to strengthen alignment and coherence across Alameda County's early childhood mixed delivery system. As the agency administering Measure C and partnering on the Oakland Children's Initiative, First 5 Alameda is well positioned to help build a more integrated early care and education system. The report highlights how children's development is influenced by the broader systems around them--such as housing, health, transportation, and employment--and emphasizes the importance of coordinated policy and infrastructure in supporting family and community well-being. When these systems function effectively, they help create stable communities and support long-term economic and educational outcomes.