In 1999, the Board of Commissioners of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, joined with 21 philanthropic foundations and private funders, as well as nearly 80 community service agencies, to form a public-private partnership that would launch an early childhood initiative, Invest in Children, as a comprehensive system of care focused on improving the quality of life for young children and their families. Using a holistic approach to supporting a family from the beginning of pregnancy to the day a child enters kindergarten, and building on current research on brain development, this multi-agency network of service providers strives to increase the effectiveness of parents and families, improve the health and safety of children, prepare children for school, and educate the community about the importance of the earliest years. At this time of fiscal uncertainty, partnerships and collaboration are critical to maintaining and maximizing resources and supports for children.