The Urban Institute sponsored a virtual convening of state and national experts on early care and education (ECE) to explore how states are accessing and using federal funds to support ECE systems and improve compensation for the ECE workforce. Convening participants included national leaders and policy, program, and fiscal specialists from five states that have made significant strides in accessing and using these funds: Georgia, Illinois, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington. National leaders nominated these states. The states vary geographically, in their administration of ECE services, and in their political contexts, making them good case studies from which to learn best practices. FINDINGS Convening participants recommended promising strategies states can employ to access and employ federal funds for ECE systems and workforce compensation. 1. Identify all the possible sources of federal funds, including typical sources, education funds, and atypical and one-time funds. 2. Collaborate across agencies and branches of government to create a shared vision and strategic plan for how to use the federal funds. 3. Create intergovernmental structures, tailored to state needs, to support ongoing coordination among the many players. 4. Ensure policy and fiscal leaders understand one another’s roles and responsibilities so they can work together to strategically allocate funds. (author abstract)