Megan Blanco’s policy work focuses on student health and well-being. She brings more than a decade of experience in education delivery, policy analysis, coalition building, and government relations to this work. Blanco served as a senior legislative assistant at the Corporation for National and Community Service under two presidential administrations before joining NASBE. In this role, she supported agency leadership and Congressional offices in advancing policy solutions that enabled more Americans of all ages to serve and be change agents in their communities. Previously, she served as an advisor to U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu and specialized in education, appropriations, child welfare, national service and social welfare issues. She began her career as a Kindergarten teacher in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is a proud graduate of Louisiana State University and the George Washington University.
Latest Contributions
Whole Child Policy Study Group
By Megan BlancoThe Whole Child Policy study group deepens state board of education content expertise and public leadership in whole child policymaking in the wake of COVID-19. The pandemic has shined an even brighter light on longstanding inequities and presented an opportunity to improve the many systems, policies, and practices contributing to student success. State boards play […]
Preparing Facilities for Students’ Return in the Wake of COVID-19
By Erika Eitland and Megan BlancoTo reopen schools, they need to be clean and safe for students, educators, and staff. What state leaders need to consider as they issue guidance for schools.
Developing Policy to Prevent Youth Suicide
By Megan BlancoState boards of education can be leaders in addressing youth suicide by collaborating on model policies that help ensure students have the proper supports and learning environments to thrive.
NASBE Analyst Comments on Youth Suicide
By Megan BlancoNASBE’s Megan Blanco was quoted in the Kaiser Health News story, “As Youth Suicides Climb, Anguished Parents Begin To Speak Out.”
Leadership Exchange for Adolescent Health Promotion
By Megan BlancoLEAHP is a learning collaborative of multi-sector, state-level leadership teams with the goal to develop state-specific action plans in support of policy assessment, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation to address adolescent health in three priority areas: sexual health education, sexual health services, and safe and supportive environments in schools.