Everything! And as we’re back in full swing, with kids returning to school and Congress returning to Washington DC…
We Advocate to #FundChildCare
Last month, many of you joined nine national ECE organizations and your fellow educators and advocates from across the country for a social media day of action, calling on Congress to #FundChildCare and #UniteforHeadStart! With the hashtags trending, we were able to reach millions of accounts, and get our voices in front of Senators and Representatives.
But that’s not all—with the help of videos, visits, and more, educators and advocates across the country have been speaking to their Senators throughout August recess about the need to prioritize funding for CCDBG. Check out just two examples of op-eds published in Alabama and South Carolina and reach out to your own Senator today! With Congress returning to finalize appropriations on Monday, September 9 (and turning their attention to child care and early learning on Tuesday, September 10), right now is the time!
We #ProtectFamilies
Last month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released changes to their “public charge” policy, which would penalize immigrant families who seek available public assistance in meeting their basic nutrition, health care, and housing needs. Even the threat of the rule has had chilling effects on families seeking needed support, but if implemented on October 15, 2019 and not delayed by litigation, the policy would have devastating effects on the health and well-being of millions of children.
As an active member of the Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) campaign, led by CLASP and the National Immigration Law Center, and in keeping with our organizational values, NAEYC opposed changes to the “public charge” regulation when they were originally proposed, and once again stands in opposition to the finalized rule.
What can you do to join us in standing up for children and families?
- Learn more about the new rule and what it means
- Access community resources for people working with immigrant families
- Register for this CLASP webinar: “Public Charge and Young Children: What Early Childhood Education Stakeholders Need to Know” on Thursday, September 12 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET
We Bring #PowertotheProfession
The draft for Decision Cycles 7+8, which address the resources, infrastructure, and accountability structures needed across states and systems to support a prepared, diverse, well-compensated early childhood education profession, is out for your review and response.
For more context, including information on DC 345+6 and the Professional Standards and Competencies, you can:
- Check out this note and visit www.powertotheprofession.org
- Read the Decision Cycle 7+8 draft in English or in in Spanish
- Complete the survey (by September 13!) or email p2p@naeyc.org with comments
- Check out the updated P2P Frequently Asked Questions
In addition, we encourage you to share and sign up to access the revised and updated P2P Facilitator Toolkit, full of tips, samples, resources, forms, and more to help you lead important P2P conversations in your communities!
We Vote
National Voter Registration Day is right around the corner! As a national partner in the September 24th holiday, we are encouraging early learning programs, early childhood higher education programs, and other early childhood affiliated organizations to help voters be #VoteReady this November! Join us for this national, nonpartisan day of civic action and plan to reach out to and register as many voters as possible! Check out these past and future webinars to help you get ready, and keep your eyes open for more information!
We Help Make Sure Kids Don’t Go Hungry
The Administration is proposing a rule that would eliminate SNAP benefits for 3.1 million people and kick about 500,000 children off free school meals by gutting states’ broad-based “categorical eligibility” option. A comment period is open until September 23, and the federal government needs to hear from you about how this rule would harm children and families. Learn more and submit comments via the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), using templates for comments focused on children or from the particular perspective of an educator. Email advocacy@naeyc.org with any questions!
We Ask Questions and Stay Informed
- How do federal investments and partnerships support ECE in your state? Find out with these state fact sheets from the First Five Years Fund.
- What if we expanded child care subsidies? The Urban Institute knows!
- How much could an undercount of Hispanics in the 2020 Census cost states in federal funding? Child Trends did the math.
- Where do I register for NAEYC’s 2019 Annual Conference in Nashville? Right here!
Finally, keep your eyes open for how early childhood educators advance #EquityinECE, with the release of NAEYC’s newest position statement coming soon! And, in case you missed it: NAEYC is hiring an Assistant Director of Federal Policy, so if you know anyone who might be interested, please encourage them to apply!
