The majority of Native people now live in urban areas, yet systems often continue to center reservation-based narratives. We will explore the legacy of federal relocation policies, the rise of Urban Indian Organizations, gaps in funding and service eligibility, and the strengths of intertribal networks that sustain culture and kinship across cities.
The separation of Native children from their families was not accidental—it was policy. In this session, we examine specific policies designed to break apart Native families—and their direct connections to contemporary early childhood, child welfare, and family services advocacy.
The Alliance for Early Success has released it’s annual report on state early childhood policy progress, and it shows—while headwinds are increasing—early childhood advocates are working together and adding capacity to get hard-fought wins for young children and their families.
Learn more about how Native communities have always understood childhood—as inherently relational, community-centered, and rooted in place. We explore kinship systems where children are raised by many, the connection between land and early learning, and contemporary examples of cultural transmission and community-driven care models.
An audience of early childhood policy advocates learned about the solutions New Mexico policymakers chose to implement over more than a decade, and the advocacy strategies that influenced them. Guests included Elizabeth Groginsky, Secretary, New Mexico Department of Early Childhood Education and Care; Matthew Henderson, Executive Director, OLÉ Education Fund; and Jacob Vigil, Chief Legislative Officer, New Mexico Voices for Children.
Alliance allies often request information from peers in the network through the Listserv. Recently, our allies in Texas requested communications and narrative examples comparing the cost of college to the cost of child care. This question prompted many responses and perspectives, showcasing the unique expertise within the Alliance Network.
