Examples of communications plans developed by California, Massachusetts, and Washington State are shared below.

California

First 5 California—Strategic Plan 2019–2024. includes a focus on communications as one of three critical areas. Within this area, which is about public will and investment, the plan seeks to build public engagement in, investment in, and support of the optimal well-being and development of children prenatal through age 5, their families, and communities through three goals, excerpted below:

• Child Health Communication: “Build public engagement in, invest in, and support the optimal health, well-being, and development of young children using research to ensure equitable outcomes for all. Key work in this area includes statewide campaigns to inform the public about early brain development and the critical role parents and other caregivers of young children play in that development through regular, caring verbal engagement with children from the moment they are born.”
• Child Development Communication: “Increase public awareness through education and outreach to inform parents and the public about the importance of investments during a child’s earliest years (prenatal through age 5) and available child development information and services. Through public education and outreach campaigns, First 5 California will disseminate specifics regarding programs, resources, and other efforts supported by the agency and available to children and families across the state.”
• Family Functioning Communication: “Increase public awareness about the importance of investments in young children and families, highlighting that parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. The dissemination of information on early brain development and the importance of investments to support children and their families during the earliest months and years of a child’s life are primary in this effort.”^[3]

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care has a Strategic Action Plan to orient its work during 2020–2025. This plan included an “engagement portal” for families, partners, and stakeholders to connect with the department’s initiatives and to participate in surveys to help shape the delivery of supports and discover other opportunities for engagement around the plan.

Washington State

The Department of Children, Youth and Families - Strategic Priorities 2021-2026 . details a strong vision for achieving equity for all children by eliminating racial disproportionalities and advancing racial equity, with a focus on communication and engagement.