Partner Mapping
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As a city-wide early learning collaborative, Oakland Starting Smart and Strong (OSSS) brings together community and advocacy groups, early childhood educators, the school district, and city and county leaders to help all children, families, and early educators thrive.
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What This Map Shows
As the backbone collaborative of Oakland’s early childhood ecosystem, OSSS was interested in gaining a deeper understanding of how collaborative partners work with each other and how we might work more effectively together. This interactive map shows results from an online survey that was completed by one representative from each of the current organizations in our Lead Planning Team [LINK], with the exception of philanthropic and consulting partners. The survey received a 100% response rate with participation from 17 organizations. This map:
Read the full report from Engage R+D here. |
What is Partner Mapping Partner maps visually represent the relationships and connections within a network or system of organizations, individuals, and communities. These maps help organizations understand their relationships with partners, and other key players, to manage better and leverage them effectively in the future. Early Learning leaders can use these to strengthen the connections and partnerships that influence early childhood education. |
How to Use This Map
- Use the dropdown menu in the top left toolbar to see the map in 2020, 2025, and with external partners.
- Click on an organization and press the focus button on the toolbar to the right of the map to see its connections. Filter by level of connection using the buttons at the top of the map.
- On the external partners map, use the dropdown menu at the top left of the map to see partners working in various sectors. Note that these sectors are a generalization of the work and may be imperfect.
Key Takeaways
- As part of the early learning ecosystem in Oakland, OSSS members were highly connected in 2020 and built on those relationships over the past five years. The percentage of connections between organizations rose from 84% in 2020 to 97% in 2025. By 2025, the average member was aware of all 16 other members (up from 13).
- Members are forming more formal partnerships. Over the five-year period, the share of relationships at the partnership level more than doubled (from 16% to 35%), while relationships with no interaction dropped from 16% to just 3%.
- OSSS is providing resources and community connections. All participants said OSSS helped them access information, tools, and resources and feel part of a larger community. Additionally, 93% said their participation catalyzed new partnerships. Nearly a third of members reported securing new funding through OSSS connections.
- Members see opportunities for OSSS to align around advocacy, share data, and continued convening. Feedback centered on opportunities for OSSS to foster a shared advocacy agenda, measure impact of recent policy changes, and continuing to serve as a backbone convener.
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Contributing Partners
- Alameda County Office of Education, Early Learning Department
- Alameda County Public Health Division, Family Health Services
- BANANAS
- City of Oakland Early Childhood and Family Services (formerly Head Start)
- City of Oakland Fund for Children and Youth (OFCY)
- EDVance
- First 5 Alameda County
- Lotus Bloom
- Oakland Children's Initiative
- Oakland Literacy Coalition
- Oakland Promise
- Oakland Thrives
- Oakland Unified School District, Early Childhood Education
- Parent Voices Oakland
- Roots Community Health
- Tandem Partners in Early Learning