Altarum Institute provided training and technical assistance (TA) to states seeking and obtaining state Maternal and Child Health Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems grants. The purpose of the TA was to assist the 49 states and 5 jurisdictions that held grants during the contract period in their efforts to strengthen existing or develop new comprehensive systems of care for young children, including those with special needs, and their families. The partners included all the major early childhood partners including health, mental health, early care and education, family support, and parenting education. Altarum provided TA to state grantees to help them develop a comprehensive strategic plan for a system of care for young children and their families. Once the plans were approved, Altarum provided support in implementing the plans.

Key to successful systems planning is the bringing together of appropriate stakeholders and the development of collaborative relationships that will result in concrete system changes within the state. Therefore, much of the TA provided by Altarum was focused on activities to help an array of organizational entities from both the public and private sectors and various disciplines work together effectively on behalf of young children and their families.