Texas child care and early learning programs face both business and pedagogical (educational) difficulties. One way programs can save money and work efficiently is through Shared Services Alliances (SSAs).
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Program Support Initiatives: Shared Services Alliances
Texas child care and early learning programs face both business and pedagogical (educational) difficulties. One way programs can save money and work efficiently is through Shared Services Alliances (SSAs). By teaming up with other programs to share resources and services, programs
- make more money,
- lower costs,
- improve quality, and
- achieve Iron Triangle metrics—reaching full enrollment, collecting full fees, and generating revenues that cover the per-child cost.
To help meet child care and early learning program needs through a Shared Services Alliance, you can:
- join as an Alliance member; or
- create an Alliance and serve as a Lead Entity.
Learn more in Module 7 of TWC’s Attracting and Retaining Staff resource.
Join or Create a Shared Services Alliance
Shared Services Alliances help child care programs
- make more money,
- spend less,
- improve quality, and
- achieve Iron Triangle metrics.
Sharing resources allows member organizations to pay less for services. Members can also focus on specific activities that help save money and free up time.
Lead Entities organize each Shared Services Alliance. The Lead Entity
- coordinates all child care and early learning programs (members),
- helps the programs identify common needs, and
- helps implement agreed-upon shared services.
The services chosen vary by Alliance. Each Alliance chooses services based on its shared goals and needs. Shared services might focus on pedagogical (educational) leadership, business leadership, or a combination of both, to provide high-quality early childhood education. The diagram shows a list of common services that Alliances may select.
Strong Alliances
- give members access to skilled leadership,
- improve finances and working conditions for teachers, and
- improve services for families.
Participating in an Alliance helps directors and administrators better support their staff. Alliances help programs save money and free up time.
Members may use the money saved to
- increase teacher wages,
- offer stipends, and/or
- provide benefits.
Members may also use shared services or freed-up time to provide professional development to child care teachers. When members use the shared resources, teachers can focus their time on teaching instead of administrative work.
The following websites offer information about active Texas Workforce Commission-funded Shared Services Alliances:
- AVANCE, Inc.
- Collaborative for Children
- Pre-K 4 SA
- Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC)
The following resources can help you create a Shared Services Alliance:
- Opportunities Exchange offers free online resources to create a Shared Services Alliances. Resources include a start-up guide, a financial management tool kit, and sample documents.
- Children at Risk shares trainings and other resources on its website.
- The PDG B-5 TA Center: Changing the Workforce System slides provide information about national early child care and education workforce issues and describes the different educator pathways.
- Look in your community for opportunities to partner with organizations that offer early childhood training or supports.
Are you a community partner looking to start a Shared Services Alliance with other child care and early learning programs in your area?
Community partners looking to start a Shared Services Alliance with other child care and early learning programs may find high-quality partners in Pre-K Partnership classrooms and Texas Rising Star child care and early learning programs.
- Learn more about Pre-K Partnership classrooms
- Use the Texas Child Care Availability Portal to find Two-, Three-, and Four-Star Texas Rising Star–certified programs in your area. Visit the Texas Rising Star website to learn more about the program.
