As we close out 2024, we’re reflecting on the many ways we’ve worked together to strengthen and support our network of state and local child advocates. This year, the Partnership for America’s Children focused on creating opportunities to engage, empower, and invest—building a stronger, more connected network to advance transformative policy for children and families. From fostering knowledge-sharing among members and sector experts to empowering growth among emerging leaders and increasing our members’ capacity to drive impactful change, 2024 was a year of collaboration, progress, and laying the foundation for a brighter future for children and families.
Commemorating a Decade of Impact
2024 marked the Partnership for America’s Children’s 10th anniversary! Over the past ten years, we’ve worked alongside our incredible network and partners to drive positive change for children and families across the nation. Our journey has been marked by key milestones in advocacy, policy wins, and community support. Click here to explore our timeline, hear from some of the Partnership’s supporters, and see the progress we’ve made—together, we’re building a brighter future for all children!
In tandem with reflecting on our first decade, we launched our 2024-2028 Strategy Roadmap. This ambitious and actionable plan aims to strengthen the network of child advocates, build leadership capacity, and advance transformative, equitable policy change for children and families nationwide. Take a closer look at the Strategy Roadmap and learn how we’re paving the way forward here.
How we Engaged
This year, we were excited to deepen our connection with the Partnership network and beyond through consistent and meaningful stories. Over the course of 2024, we published 15 blogs on topics ranging from child welfare resources to fostering positive work culture to informative podcasts. A standout piece was our 2023 Impact Report, which we invite you to explore here. You can also revisit all of our blogs here.
In addition to our blogs, we stayed in touch with monthly digests of upcoming events and newsletters filled with updates on the network and its members’ incredible work. Thank you for staying engaged with us this year—we can’t wait to bring you even more impactful stories, resources and updates in 2025!
Partnership Peer Exchanges
In 2024, we hosted Partnership Peer Exchanges, a series of 1-hour sessions focused on key topics such as policy issues, advocacy strategies, and organizational management. These sessions brought together leaders from within our network and, when relevant, national partners, to share their expertise and experiences. Each Peer Exchange provided a dynamic opportunity to connect, exchange insights, and learn from peers across the network.
We look forward to continuing these impactful sessions in 2025. Keep an eye on our newsletter in 2025 for future opportunities to join Peer Exchange sessions.
Advocacy Learning Lab
In 2024, we continued to offer the Advocacy Learning Lab (ALL)—an online resource designed to empower organizations advocating for the needs of children, youth, and families in both community and public policy spaces. Through ALL, subscribers receive a monthly digest featuring recently released national and state reports to inform and strengthen their work.
If you’d like to gain access to ALL, please reach out to Jasmine Jones at [email protected].
Communities of Practice
The Partnership continues to host several Communities of Practice, fostering collaboration and providing essential resources for the network. Here are some key highlights from this year’s work:
Census Data from Count All Kids
Throughout the year, the Count All Kids website was regularly updated with resources reflecting on lessons from the 2020 Census and helping communities prepare for the 2030 Census. These tools are invaluable for advocates and policymakers working to ensure all children are counted. Take a look at all the Census resources here.
Child Welfare Resources from SPARC
Over the past few years, we’ve been honored to work in collaboration with the Annie E. Casey Foundation to host the SPARC (State Policy Advocacy and Reform Center) network at the Partnership for America’s Children, and we’re looking forward to continuing to play a vital part in its growth.
Prevention Toolkit
Families, advocates, and policymakers agree on the importance of preventing child welfare system involvement—but communities often struggle to identify, prioritize, fund, and implement effective prevention strategies. This year, SPARC released a Prevention Toolkit to help states expand their efforts.
Developed with input from SPARC members, lived experience consultants, and funding support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and the Aviv Foundation, the toolkit provides state advocates with evidence-based prevention resources. These include:
- An Advocacy Guide
- Issue Briefs
- Strategy Spotlights on prevention topics
- An editable template for creating state-specific documents
- Additional resources from SPARC and other organizations
The toolkit is available here to support child welfare advocates in advancing prevention-focused solutions.
SPARC Convening
Earlier this December, SPARC members, partners, and funders gathered for the annual convening at the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore. The event fostered peer-to-peer connections, featured expert presentations on critical child welfare issues, and offered an opportunity to share strategies for advancing policy change that benefits children, youth, and families. Visit the Convening page on SPARC’s website here to learn more and access resources from the event.
Evolving for Greater Impact
As we look ahead, SPARC is evolving to better serve its members and strengthen their impact on child advocacy nationwide. By creating a more defined space for SPARC and launching an Advocacy Hub, we’re fostering greater collaboration, expanding advocacy capacity, and providing tailored support to amplify child welfare advocates’ voices. These updates will empower SPARC members to play a more prominent role in shaping the advocacy landscape and advancing equitable policy solutions for children and families. We’re enthusiastic about these changes and the opportunities they bring for SPARC to grow and evolve.
How we Empowered
Strengthening Connections with Our Members
In April, we hosted the 2024 Annual Partnership Members’ Meeting, offering an in-depth look at the Partnership’s activities and progress over the past year. This included updates on our operations and financial position, the unveiling of our new strategic plan, and priorities for the year ahead. Members were able to access insights into our work and participate in shaping the future of the Partnership. You can view the slides here and watch the recording here.
In September, we held a Fireside Chat with our Executive Director, Marquita Little Numan. This candid and engaging session provided an opportunity for members to share ideas, exchange thoughts, and connect with Marquita as she continues to lead our network into an exciting new chapter.
Annual Retreat
In September, child advocates from across the nation gathered in Little Rock, Arkansas, for the Partnership for America’s Children’s annual retreat, celebrating our 10th anniversary. As Executive Director Marquita Little Numan reflected in her blog, the retreat provided a critical space to “hold, heal, and restore” the people who drive transformative change. The retreat placed a strong emphasis on equity, leveraging the rich and complex history of Little Rock to explore the intersections of equity and advocacy. Participants reflected on pivotal moments such as the integration of Little Rock Central High School and the story of the 9th Street District, drawing powerful lessons on resilience and justice to inform their work.
The retreat also marked the 10-year anniversary of Medicaid expansion in Arkansas, a bipartisan victory that has provided more than 250,000 people with access to essential healthcare. Before this expansion, Arkansas had one of the highest uninsured rates in the country. This achievement, captured in this video, exemplifies the persistence and collaboration required for transformative child advocacy. It also highlights the enduring impact of network members like Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, who have tirelessly championed equity and access for children and families.
As Marquita shared, “When we celebrate victories, grieve losses, and reflect on our shared journey, we are reminded that we are not alone in this work.”
Monthly Affinity Groups
In 2024, the Partnership deepened its commitment to equity by hosting monthly affinity group meetings for network staff of color. These facilitated sessions provided a space for nourishment, reflection, and connection. The group explored topics such as nurturing joy in today’s democracy, fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within organizations, and supporting one another through mentorship and shared experiences. These gatherings were integral to uplifting leaders and ensuring the values of equity and inclusion remain at the heart of our work.
Empowering Advocacy Through Education
In 2024, the Partnership for America’s Children collaborated with Bolder Advocacy to create learning opportunities that equip organizations to effectively lobby for children and families within the scope of their 501(c)(3) status. These foundational sessions are valuable resources for staff, Board members, and partners to strengthen their advocacy knowledge ahead of the 2025 legislative session. Read more about these sessions in our blog post here.
How we Invested
Transforming Grantmaking Practices
This year, we piloted a new grantmaking model designed to integrate equity-centered and trust-based philanthropy practices. With guidance from a diverse Grants Advisory Committee—including experts from Voices for Healthy Kids, Jumpstart for Kids, Child Trends, Think of Us and the Southern Education Foundation—we emphasized principles such as streamlining, transparency, peer learning, and centering equity. This pilot is part of our broader strategy to provide funding and technical assistance that is responsive to the needs of our members. Insights from this process will shape and enhance our core operating model moving forward.
Strengthening Advocacy Strategic Partnerships and Funding
We also awarded several child welfare grant opportunities during the year. These grants helped to amplify the voices of people with lived experience, advance equity, and support projects on child abuse registries. We also partnered with and funded FosterClub to lead a cohort designed to support advocates in centering lived experience in their advocacy strategies. We also partnered with Bruner Child Equity to provide mini grants to nine organizations to support their legislative advocacy on federal policy issues impacting children and families in their respective states.
Thank you for being part of a remarkable year dedicated to advancing the well-being of children and families. Your alignment, passion, and commitment have been integral to our shared success. We wish you a peaceful and restorative end to the year and look forward to continuing this important work together in 2025!
