We are pleased you are considering the Rennie Center’s Fellowship for Impact in Early Childhood Policy (FFI). Launching in 2025, FFI is a new professional development program that aims to bring together a diverse group of individuals from across the early childhood field to gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the policy process and work to advance more equitable systems for Massachusetts’ youngest children. This fellowship builds on Rennie’s work conducting a landscape analysis of the early childhood field, Early Childhood 101 (EC101), and intends to build bridges and collaboration across the sectors of health & wellbeing, family & caregiver support, education & care, and community engagement.
Participants in FFI can come from any field within early childhood, including professionals from center-based or family child care; healthcare and mental health; family support programs and offices (e.g., Coordinated Family and Community Engagement programs); early intervention; home visiting; and any other professionals working closely with and for families with children ages 0-5. If you are employed and have a supervisor, your supervisor must sign off on your application to ensure that you are able to participate fully in program activities, including those taking place during the work day. See the employer form at the end of the application for more details about this process.
THE FELLOWSHIP
Fellows remain employed in their current role while participating in the program, using their work environment as the context for examining important leadership and policy issues in state and national early childhood policy.
FFI brings Fellows together through a variety of on-site and virtual learning opportunities (including speakers and panel discussions, debriefs, workshops, networking, and individual or group projects). The program includes visits to the Massachusetts State House and to Washington, D.C., with opportunities during both of those trips to connect with each other, with individuals working in policy roles, and with fellows enrolled in another Rennie fellowship program, the Massachusetts Education Policy Fellowship.
Participation in FFI begins with building a deeper appreciation of each Fellow’s leadership strengths and skills in order to better understand how identity and leadership style influences approaches to policy. In the second phase of the program, Fellows have the chance to dig into the meaning of policy and how past and current policies have shaped each aspect of the early childhood sector. In the third phase of the program, Fellows identify opportunities for improving a specific policy issue within the early childhood sector and prepare a policy project in a cross-sector group. In addition to program events, Fellows will have access to an Advisory Committee of experts in the early childhood field to serve as mentors throughout the program.
FFI has the following goals for participating Fellows:
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Deepen knowledge and understanding of key policy issues, structures, and processes
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Build a stronger network among peers and policy leaders
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Promote individual leadership skill development and growth as early childhood leaders
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Identify potential policy changes that could improve early childhood systems
More broadly, the goal of this program is to build a cohort of leaders poised to use their understanding and expertise of the early childhood field to drive future changes in policy and practice.
PROGRAM STIPEND
Each participating Fellow who meets the program requirements will receive a $1,500 stipend. Travel costs for the Federal Policy Retreat in Washington, D.C. will also be covered by the Rennie Center. In order to receive the stipend, Fellows will need to complete a W9 form and send it to the Rennie Center.
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION PROCESS
FFI invites your application if you have:
- a commitment to personal and professional development on behalf of young children and their families/caregivers;
- a track record for making things happen inside and across agencies/organizations;
- substantive work experience and a current formal role within the early childhood field
FFI requires participation in training activities that are often, but not always, held at the conclusion of the normal work day. In addition, Fellows are expected to attend the following in-person events: an opening retreat, in-person site visits to local programs and organizations, Massachusetts State House Day, and a multi-day conference in Washington, DC. Please consider these extra demands on your time in light of your current professional and personal schedule. If you cannot participate fully in FFI at this time, please do not complete the application at this time and consider applying for a future year’s cohort.
Through the selection process we will prioritize the acceptance of professionals from an array of early childhood sectors and those who have an active role in their community. This fellowship is for mid-career professionals; substantive work experience is required for acceptance.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION SCHEDULE
- June: Application launches
- July 25th: Application deadline
- August 1st: Fellows notified of acceptance
- September: Fellowship begins