The overarching goal of the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (ELC)- to help close the educational gap between children with high needs and their peers by supporting state efforts to build strong systems of early learning and development that provide increased access to high quality programs for the children who need them most--is best achieved when state systems and services, and local systems and services are aligned and working together toward that goal. This chapter examines eight states that engaged local leaders and partners, through a coalition strategy, to expand their system planning to achieve mutual outcomes for young children and their families. (author abstract)