Advancing equitable outcomes for children, families, and communities by supporting the capacity of nonprofits, philanthropy, and government organizations.

We walk alongside partners on their journey to design, advocate for, and implement effective policies and systems that will result in a more just, equitable society for us all.

Jennifer Jennings-Shaffer, MPA Principal

I am a committed change agent for children and families with 15 years of experience in early childhood policy advocacy and systems building. I have led successful advocacy campaigns to advance policies and investments benefiting young children and their families and provided guidance and technical support to state partners implementing their own campaigns. In my time working in state government, I supported implementation of a variety of early childhood systems initiatives.

My approach is relationship based and grounded in a commitment to trust, mutual respect, and collaboration. Guiding groups to consensus through skillful facilitation that honors differences and creates space for the full wisdom of groups to emerge is one of my passions. I recognize that the process of how we do our work is not a footnote on the road to success, but a key component of how we achieve lasting results.

My key skills and experience include expert facilitation, coalition management, policy analysis, advocacy campaign strategy design and implementation, relationship based technical assistance, grant making, grant writing, creation and delivery of peer learning opportunities for professionals, excellent communications skills- including oral and written, and experience applying a racial equity analysis and principles to projects.

Services

  • Facilitation

    Facilitation to support groups to work effectively together to identify and implement shared priorities.

    Design and delivery of impactful peer learning opportunities.

  • Advocacy

    Advocacy campaign strategy design and implementation, with emphasis on centering the voices of those most impacted.

  • Technical Assistance

    Relationship-based technical assistance to individuals and organizations to identify objectives and to develop and implement effective, equitable policy solutions.

  • Grant Writing

    Grant writing services with a focus on both success in securing funding and a clear path to successful implementation.

  • Policy

    Policy development and analysis based on current research and best practice.

  • Drafting

    Materials creation and report writing.

Past Work

  • Advocacy Materials

    While a member of the ZERO TO THREE team, coordinated development of a Think Babies suite of resources to support state advocates to design and implement impactful infant-toddler advocacy campaigns.

  • Writing

    Coauthored ZERO TO THREE journal article exploring the many ways in which states can and are addressing racial equity in problem solving and policymaking.

  • Successful Advocacy

    As a member of the Children’s Alliance team, played a leadership role in policy development and advocacy coalition coordination related to the bipartisan, historic Early Start Act (H.B. 1491) which enacted unprecedented policies and resources to help ensure all children a great start.

  • Project Management

    As the Head Start State Collaboration Office Project Administrator, provided project management for the process, grounded in a commitment to racial equity, to develop the Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines for the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

  • Technical Assistance

    As a ZERO TO THREE team member, delivered relationship-based technical assistance to Think Babies state partners working to develop and implement successful infant-toddler policy advocacy campaigns resulting in significant state level investments and improved policies.

  • Facilitation

    Co-led the Infant-Toddler Advocates Community of Practice for ZERO TO THREE in Collaboration with the Alliance for Early Success which ran from 2018-2021, bringing together state-based advocates to learn about strategies and tactics to advance policies and investments for babies and families.