


Strategic resource allocation is a critical component to ensure equitable outcomes for all students. With the tremendous flexibility state and federal funds offer, we can braid (coordinate) and blend (consolidate) funds to expand the design and delivery of programs and services in new and interesting ways. During this session, we will cover technical components of blending and braiding funds, explore strategies to allocate fiscal resources (funding) that align with the implementation of non-fiscal resources (resources beyond funding) and learn from education leaders about their experience with blending and braiding funds and how these strategies were used to support the alignment of district and school improvement plans.

Tia Taylor is a Senior Program Associate with WestEd and the Region 15 Comprehensive Center (R15CC). In this role, she leverages her experience and expertise in school finance, resource allocation approaches, and leadership development, and focuses her work on systems change and transformation. Taylor provides technical support and training to educational leaders in developing equity-driven resource allocation methods by exploring strategies for braiding and blending state and federal funds to maximize the use of precious resources and expand access to programs and services for all students. Her professional goal is to support leaders to eliminate resource inequities and ensure that each student has access to a quality education.