Strategic Advising

Good strategy starts with a clear picture of the landscape: the data, the policies, and, most of all, the experiences of the families and providers you serve. We work alongside leaders to build that picture, apply systems thinking, and turn it into plans that teams and communities can carry out.

What strategic advising looks like

Strategic planning Facilitated planning that sets direction, priorities, and measurable goals, built with input from staff, partners, and the community.

Landscape studies Community-engaged research that combines data, policy review, interviews, and listening sessions to show what’s working, what’s missing, and where to act.

Evaluation and improvement Evaluation that counts lived experience as evidence, and improvement planning that turns findings into action.

Thought partnership Ongoing advice for leaders navigating complex decisions, policy shifts, or new initiatives.

Recent work

Strategic planning: First Steps Kent and Jefferson Ready Start Network [ADD OTHERS]
Landscape studies: Latino families’ access to early learning for Beloved Community, Jefferson Ready Start Network, and Lafayette Ready Start; nontraditional-hour child care for Agenda for Children
Evaluation and improvement: equity and inclusion lead for Kent County’s Ready by Five millage evaluation; program assessment for Tulane University’s Newcomb Child Care Center

How we work

Listen before we plan. We start with the people closest to the issue, not just the data.
Connect the dots. We look at policies, funding, and relationships as a system, so plans address root causes.
Plan together. Staff, boards, partners, and community members shape priorities, so the plan is theirs.
Stay through implementation. We help teams put plans into practice and adjust as they learn.

What partners say

"ACE Consulting has been instrumental in our work to increase equitable access to early care and education in Jefferson Parish. ACE helped us analyze local data, conduct listening and strategic planning sessions and develop a needs-based approach to better understand and support Hispanic and Latino families' participation in the early learning sector."

— Dr. Sarintha Stricklin, Executive Director, Jefferson Ready Start Network

Facing a strategic decision?

Whether you’re writing a new strategic plan, launching an initiative, or trying to understand who you’re not yet reaching, we’d love to help you think it through.