Policy Team
The Raising Readers Nashville Policy Team works to educate the collective of current and possible local and statewide policies affecting the lives of children and families, and to intervene and inform on drafted legislation or rules with both beneficial and potentially harmful effects on the lives of children and their families.
2025-2026 Strategies, Actions, and Targets
Strategy
Provide access to member organizations policy agendas in an effort to maximize our efforts as a collective.
Action
Track existing and upcoming policies affecting the lives of children and families at local, state and national levels.
18-Month Target
Partner action to influence policy priorities.
Strategy
Educate partners on legislative structure, schedule, and best practices to increase individual organizational advocacy efforts.
Action
Gather partners to share resources and amplify their advocacy efforts.
18-Month Target
Increased knowledge of advocacy best practices.
Co-chairs
Denise Costanza
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Annie Paraison
Love Before ALL, LLC
Current members
Leslie Cowell, Lipscomb University
Katie Growden, Save the Children Action Network
Tara Lentz, Conexion Americas
Jonathon Matthews, Nurture the Next
Cynthia Osborne, Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center at Vanderbilt University
Kathleen Seabolt, Vanderbilt University
Melanie Shinbaum, Nashville Early Education Coalition
Brandon White, United Way of Greater Nashville
Rebecca Woods, TQEE
Looking to connect?
We’re here to help policymakers get connected to the resources they need to develop meaningful initiatives that can improve the lives of Nashville’s families and children. Visit our Policy Support page to contact us.