About

David Beard has been working and volunteering in public policy for over twenty years. His experience includes lobbying, research and data collection, creating advocacy-related coalitions, working with partners to determine policy-related priorities, developing communications strategies, and supporting organizational and public agency growth and development.

 

Throughout his career, David has focused on a myriad of issues with a primary focus on public policy related to children, youth, and families. He began his career working in the Texas and Washington state legislatures before becoming the policy director at the Washington State Council for Children and Families. David then spent five years in Washington, DC at the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Maryland Advocates for Children and Youth, both dedicated to education policy issues at the federal, state, and local levels. His most recent work was at School’s Out Washington, an expanded learning intermediary, where he led policy and advocacy strategies for the organization and facilitated coalition efforts at the Youth Development Strategy Table.

In David’s personal life, he has volunteered for several organizations including the Oasis Youth Center, the Children’s Campaign Fund, and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care.

 

Career Highlights and Past Projects

  • Developing legislative policy and budget proposals in three states (Maryland, Texas, and Washington State) and at the federal and local levels including passage of bills and legislation, budget provisos, decision packages (aka state agency proposals), publicly funded research efforts, and participating on workgroups tasked with developing recommendations to legislative and executive bodies.

  • Playing a lead role in the passage of legislation and regulations including:

    • funding for various educational issues such as securing $50 million in COVID-related funding for youth development programs;

    • securing $3.75 million in new public funding for quality-related services for expanded learning programs; and

    • overhauling of state school discipline regulations and increasing support to school staff with an aim to decrease racial disproportionality in and frequency of student suspensions and expulsions.

  • Experience working on a variety of policies including evidenced-based home visiting, pre-kindergarten, youth development, child care, school-community partnerships, school-based health centers, among other issue areas.

  • Duties relating to state agency and non-profit leadership such as fundraising and organizational strategic development.

  • Volunteer experience in political campaigns including ranking/rating candidates, candidate interview protocols, and promoting issues to candidates and potential voters.