Children who are involved in the child welfare system, especially those under the age of five, are among the most vulnerable. Research has shown that access to high-quality early care and education, along with coordination between families and staff in both the children welfare and early care and learning systems, is crucial for the future success of these young children. However, coordination between the two systems is often limited, they usually operate independently with little communication or coordination. Acting collaboratively, the early childhood and child welfare systems can work to avoid family separation and/or minimize exposure to neglect, abuse, and trauma. This session will describe the BUILD Initiative’s work over the past five years to accelerate and support cross-systems collaboration between the early childhood and child welfare systems. It will cover the rationale for cross-systems work and the identification of four priorities for future work: creating a shared vision, shifting public perception, working on systems integration, and cultivating leadership. It will also highlight promising examples of the programs, policies, and strategies that are beginning to yield positive results in several states. In addition to sharing what BUILD has learned, this interactive session will allow participants the opportunity to share their own experiences in breaking down system silos. This session relates directly to both of the conference’s strategic priorities; transforming narratives is at the heart of building cross-systems alignment and the highlights of successful programs and policies underway in states provide insights on what is working and what is possible for the future.