The Pathwaves Fellowship Curriculum provides Fellows with opportunities to develop tools and skills to navigate and influence the early childhood policy system. The curriculum schedule complements Washington state legislative session and contextualizes Fellows’ work at their placement sites.
The 2024-26 Fellowship Curriculum design meets the needs identified through the program evaluation. A top priority that emerged from the evaluation was to create more opportunities for Fellows to demonstrate their learning and skill development. This cohort, Fellows are tasked with projects that ground their learning through practical application, receiving timely feedback from their peers and facilitators to foster an environment that centers growth and collaboration.
In the Fall of 2025, Fellows prepared a policy analysis for a client of their choosing. Fellows selected an issue area to research for the duration of the learning module. In pairs or as individuals, Fellows completed a series of assignments culminating in a final presentation. Presentations provided background information about the issue area, introduced and justified the evaluative criteria used for the policy analysis, described the policy options analyzed, highlighted key policy trade-offs, and made a final recommendation. Fellows presented at a gathering with Pathwaves staff, board, and placement site supervisors.
Presentation topics included:
- Working Connections Child Care Subsidy for Immigrant Families
- Reimagining Literacy for Black Children in Washington State
- Medicaid Doula Coverage in Washington state
- Tax Reform and Early Learning
The policy analysis project was an opportunity for Fellows to continue to develop their writing and presentation skills in the context of the early childhood policy. In reflective conversations, every Fellow shared that this experience increased their confidence in a variety of skill areas. Fellows have already taken the initiative to share their analysis and recommendations with legislators and advocacy coalitions.
Pathwaves Fellow Barbara Belk shares about the project: Our PD sessions strengthened my ability to conduct a policy analysis with a critical lens and build confidence to talk about issues centering childcare and progressive revenue with community members, coalition members, and even legislators. This project deepened my own values and strengths in policy advocacy, and I was ultimately able to deliver a well-researched and thoughtful presentation that I’m proud to continue sharing in early childhood policy advocacy spaces.
Pathwaves is proud of our Fellows’ commitment to growth and vision for applying their ever-expanding knowledge and experience to ensure positive outcomes for children and families in Washington state. The conclusion of this module is another example of the practical application of the skills and tools the curriculum develops in our cohort. The real-life impacts of the Fellows’ work with their placement sites continues to deepen alongside their leadership.
