This dissertation seeks to better understand the experiences of families as they navigate systems and networks to gain access to the opportunities they want and need for their themselves and for their children. The specific area of focus for this research is how families, and more specifically women and mothers, are entering into a Formal Early Childhood Network in Battle Creek, MI and gaining access to the opportunities available. According to Grant-Thomas and powell (2006), one's ability to flourish is contingent on access to opportunities, which are differentially available based on race, gender, class and other matters of social difference. Gaining access into these networks and systems, with the support of family, friends and/or trusted organizations can potentially have a significant impact on the resources and opportunities women and children are able to use to contribute to improved outcomes. One overarching question guides this study: How do families enter into and experience different features, opportunities and organizations in a Formal Early Childhood System Network? Addressing this question requires two sub-questions: 1) What constitutes the make-up, structure and function of the Formal Early Childhood System Network within the Battle Creek community?; and 2) What constitutes the make-up, structure and function of the Informal Networks of the families? These questions are addressed by analyzing information (websites, reports, meeting agendas and notes), by drawing on a social network analysis of 78 organizations in the early childhood system that has been conducted in the community as the result of a collaborative planning process, and through interviews with a purposeful sample of 7 families with a child or children between the ages of 3-4 who live below 250% of poverty in Battle Creek and qualify for free public preschool or a childcare subsidy from the state. The data gathered provided a better understanding of the networks of people and organizations each family relies on to meet their personalized needs and desires for early childhood opportunities. Through the approach of combining the social network data with the qualitative case study data of the families, I have been able to construct an understanding of the network/system, that is nuanced enough that some key intervention points have been identified. Relevant findings include: 1) A tightly connected network of formal systems and services doesn't necessarily result in an improved experience for the end users, the women and families; 2) The Informal Networks of women in this study were extremely important in providing support and entry points to access opportunities; and 3) Key organizations within networks are more critical to families than others. These findings provide an opportunity to consider how network interventions might position those organizations differently within the network to improve the quality and flow of information through the network to enhance the experience and access for women and families. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]