Policy, Funding, and Systems Integration

The Maryland State Department of Education is seeking a contractor to provide expert support in aligning existing childcare systems and integrating policy and funding initiatives across the state's birth-to-five landscape. The contractor will conduct a comprehensive fiscal landscape analysis, facilitate working sessions with MSDE staff and key partners, and deliver strategic recommendations on funding tradeoffs and resource allocation. The contractor will also provide ongoing advisory and implementation support to ensure that fiscal alignment activities support MSDE's long-term vision for an integrated early childhood system. Key responsibilities include: • Conducting a comprehensive fiscal landscape analysis • Facilitating working sessions with MSDE staff and key partners • Delivering strategic recommendations on funding tradeoffs and resource allocation • Providing ongoing advisory and implementation support The ideal contractor will have experience in early childhood policy, public finance, and mixed-delivery system design, as well as expertise in fiscal analysis and strategic financial planning.