Turning Vision into Action — at Scale

HMG technical assistance turns vision into action for communities nationwide.

Maximizing potential starts with strong early childhood systems — education, health care, and family services—that support every child’s development. The Help Me Grow National Center partners with states to build that coordinated system infrastructure — advancing developmental promotion, early identification, and seamless connection to the supports families want and need.

Implementing HMG is complex. Our technical assistance accelerates progress, strengthens fidelity to the Model, and helps systems build the cross-sector infrastructure needed to sustain impact over time.

The National Hub for Help Me Grow

As the sole provider of technical assistance for the Help Me Grow Model, the National Center works alongside states and communities to strengthen early childhood systems.

We are the only organization dedicated to advancing the Help Me Grow Model with the capacity building, tools, resources, and policy alignment required for implementation with fidelity and at scale. This distinct role allows us to support not just adoption of the Model, but the long-term strengthening of the systems that make it work.

Deep Expertise in System Building

What sets the National Center apart is our depth of expertise in building coordinated systems — not just programs.

Our multidisciplinary team brings more than 100 years of combined experience across early childhood systems building, cross-sector partnership development, implementation, measurement, and operational leadership. We specialize in designing and strengthening the infrastructure that allows services to function as a connected system, including:

• Shared governance and cross-sector alignment
• Data-driven decision-making and continuous system improvement
• Financing strategies and policy alignment
• Practical implementation tools that support fidelity and scale

We translate research, policy, and practice into sustainable, scalable infrastructure that works in real communities.

Leading the National Affiliate Network

In our role guiding the Help Me Grow Affiliate Network, the National Center maintains a unique vantage point: direct connection to every Help Me Grow system across the country and the leaders driving this work.

This perspective allows us to identify what works, elevate field-informed innovation, and rapidly share learning across states, strengthening systems nationwide.

Rooted in the Model’s Origins, Built for the Future

Founded in 2010 by Paul Dworkin, creator of the HMG Model, the National Center has supported every replication of HMG from early implementation to today’s National Network.

We pair that legacy with strong operational capacity and a commitment to continuous evolution — helping communities strengthen their systems over time while maintaining fidelity to the Model.

Centering Equity in System Design

Equity is central to our approach.

We support communities in using data, family voice, and targeted strategies to reduce structural barriers — so that early childhood systems deliver more equitable access and outcomes for all families.

Better Outcomes Through Connection

Children thrive when health, education, and social services work together. That’s why the HMG National Center delivers technical assistance grounded in the Help Me Grow Model — exclusive expertise designed to help states and communities build more efficient, effective, and equitable early childhood systems.

What Our Support Includes

The National Center partners with leaders across the country to:

• Strengthen consistent communication across sectors
• Promote a shared agenda for early childhood
• Align and reinforce efforts among diverse partners
• Build broad-based support for systemic solutions

Tailored Tools and Expertise

We offer a suite of projects, tools, and resources — backed by an expanding bench of experts — to help you explore, plan, and implement a Help Me Grow system that meets the unique needs of your state or community.

The National Center Approach

• Tailored to Every Community
  No two communities are the same — and neither are their Help Me Grow systems. We customize technical assistance to each state or community’s unique needs, priorities, and starting points.
• Grounded in Research & Practice
  System change is vital but complex. Our approach draws on theories of change and implementation science to guide sustainable progress.
• Focused on Strategic Connections
  Using principles of network science, we help you invest your time wisely by building the relationships that matter most for impact.
• Powered by a National Network
  With more than 140 HMG systems nationwide, we connect you with peers who share your challenges and successes — so you can accelerate your own system-building journey.

We work together with states and communities to help identify the HMG technical assistance that will catalyze the change you seek.

Download HMG National Center’s TA package options

• Basics of the HMG Model
• Approaches to coalition-building
• Strategies to advance system change
• Evaluating impact
• Leveraging HMG activities for funding