We need to build a 21st-century engine of education and child development that delivers supports and opportunities to all children and youth at scale, regardless of race, place, or income — one that is based on a broader conception of education and what is needed to ensure children's success. Transformational, population-level change requires collaboration among all domains that affect children and youth—domains not typically considered part of the education system such as health, housing, and out-of-school time programs. 

Cradle-to-career place-based partnerships between and among governmental agencies serving children, youth, and families, school systems, health care systems and providers, community- and faith-based organizations, philanthropies, and for-profit and not-for-profit businesses are gaining momentum across the country.

This work takes place in communities where there are leaders who share this vision and who understand their local context. EdRedesign works collaboratively across sectors with community leaders such as mayors, superintendents, leaders of health and human service agencies, and leaders of out-of-school time organizations to support the well-being and education of children and youth in their communities.

Our cross-sector collaborative action work supports local communities as they create integrated systems of child well-being and education.

In 2016, EdRedesign launched the By All Means community of practice to learn from communities rethinking systems of education and child development. We closely partnered with select local communities across the country—communities where top leadership embraced our vision and expressed a willingness to expend political and financial capital in an effort to get it done. We supported their creation of Children’s Cabinets or other place-based partnerships and community-based backbone organizations, as well as their efforts to strengthen existing entities.

To support this growing field to drive transformational, systems-level change, we pursue:

• Research and dissemination of promising practices and resources
• Policy and advocacy
• Collaborative work with communities, national intermediaries, and exemplary leaders

As a collaborative partner, we seek to learn from and with each other through meetings and convenings, thought partnership, and research.

Explore our collaborative action, Children’s Cabinets, place-based partnerships, and related resources in our Resource Hub here. Read the 2023 Community Impact Highlights from By All Means communities.

To accelerate the work, we have hosted a series of convenings that bring together policymakers, educators, and community leaders to re-envision public education and its governance. You can find a catalog of all presentations and materials from past convenings here

By All Means Senior Fellowship: Expanding the Impact of Place-Based Cradle-to-Career Systems

EdRedesign's By All Means Senior Fellowship is a visiting fellowship initiative for exemplary senior leaders of place-based collaborative action. The Fellows bring diverse expertise and experiences in cross-sector partnerships, politics, policymaking, school district leadership, community organizing, and public service for the challenges facing children, youth, and families today. Each cohort of Fellows spends two academic years working with EdRedesign on signature projects that aim to amplify the impact of their work and the field of place-based collaborative action on the national stage. 

2025-2027 Fellows

2023-2025 Fellows

The Fellowship facilitates new opportunities for collaboration between the Harvard community and leaders at the forefront of social innovations advancing educational equity, upward mobility, and racial justice.