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Systems Mapping

Start Early’s systems map is an easy to understand, visual, clickable dashboard that organizes data and provides insight for better decision-making, advocacy, and collaboration.

Systems Mapping with Start Early

A comprehensive systems map provides data and insight that:

Reveals complexities and opportunities within local systems
Supports decision-making, advocacy & collaboration
Strengthens the ROI of systems resources
Improves coordination between local partners

With Start Early Consulting, systems mapping work goes further:

Cross-sector expertise delivers meaningful, nuanced insights
New facilitated partnerships build system capacity
Skilled facilitation builds community trust and buy in
Visual graphics make data transparent and
digestible
Action planning is a catalyst for change

Explore Systems Mapping with Start Early's Consulting Team!

Watch the recording of Start Early Consulting’s System Mapping Webinar and learn more about how our systems mapping tool is used in communities across the country.

Watch Webinar

Start Early was phenomenal! They truly saw the needs of our community through the eyes of the community (with) authentic and thoughtful engagement
Sarah White Smith, Roc the Future Alliance, Rochester, NY

Look Inside a Systems Map

Start Early’s systems map is an easy to understand, visual dashboard that organizes data into seven comprehensive sections:

For in-depth detail about the data in our systems map dashboards, please email our consulting team: Consulting@StartEarly.org.

The Start Early Systems Mapping Process

Start Early consultants use a three-phase process to ensure each systems map is grounded in community insights, comprehensive in scope, and designed for action. Take a closer look at each phase below to learn how systems maps are developed in support of local priorities.

Phase One

What We Do: In phase one, we work together to understand what data is and is not available and how we will access it. We gather federal data and cross-sector contacts and organizations that have the local, state, and national data needed to build a comprehensive map. We reach out to potential partners and host meetings to generate momentum and build community commitment to the systems mapping process. At the end of this phase, you will have a finalized scope of what your systems map will encompass and engaged data collection partners to ensure success.

How Long It Takes: 1-2 months

Why It Matters: With a refined understanding of what your unique data dashboard will look like, you have the opportunity to give a final green light to move the project forward. In this phase we also lay the foundation for a resilient future for your system by establishing key cross-sector partners and advising how to maintain sustained collaboration after the systems map is complete.

Phase Two

What We Do: In phase two, Start Early consultants build your unique systems map. We use skillful, neutral facilitation to engage families and providers in focus groups and interviews, building community trust and ensuring qualitative data reflects lived experiences. We follow up with community partners to gather program data, then synthesize and interpret it along with quantitative data from the local, state, and federal level. And ultimately we create a comprehensive system dashboard in a digestible, visual format that is easy to understand.

How Long It Takes: 4-5 months

Why It Matters: Unlike standard systems mapping engagements, Start Early’s consulting team leverages decades of cross-sector early childhood expertise to deliver a highly nuanced picture of gaps and possibilities in your local systems. With a visual systems map that’s designed to be shared, you are set up to build community understanding and advance your priorities with clarity and focus.

Phase Three

What We Do: In the third and final phase, our consultants work with you to identify clear priorities and build an action plan to drive policy change and systems improvements. We reconvene community partners to review and discuss insights from the systems map so they can establish shared buy in and help ensure learnings drive real systems change.

How Long It Takes: 2 months

Why It Matters: Too often maps are delivered without a plan for what to do with the insight. By integrating an action phase in the systems mapping process, we build momentum together. Whether activating new partners or developing advocacy tools, Start Early consultants help to move data off the screen and into the hands of system changemakers.

Sample Action Planning Outcomes

Systems mapping action plans are as diverse as the communities who make them. But they are all rooted in clear data and community voice, making them a powerful tool for systems change.

Child Care Access Advocacy: Leverage the systems map for coalition building by launching a strong suite of communication tools featuring key data visuals and family stories.

Program Improvement for Inclusion of Children with Disabilities: Using systems map insights from a successful school district, develop a two-year replication plan for 3-5 new sites.

Cross-Sector Enrollment Coordination: Target identified enrollment gaps through a coordinated cross-sector outreach and referral campaign.