Stinson Liles, Author at Alliance for Early Success

Alliance for Early Success Early Childhood State Policy Advocacy

Mario Cardona Joins Alliance for Early Success Board of Directors

September 11, 2024

The Alliance for Early Success has announced that Mario Cardona has joined its Board of Directors. Cardona is a partner at Nelson Mullins, where he helps lead the work of EducationCounsel, LLC, a mission-based education consulting firm that combines experience in policy, strategy, law, and advocacy to drive significant improvements in the U.S. education system to help all children thrive. Prior, Cardona served as the former Senior Advisor for Early Childhood Development & Education for the White House Domestic Policy Council.

Virginia Coalition Turns Child Care NEXT Lessons into Big Child Care and Early Ed Wins in 2024

September 3, 2024

Virginia advocates have have turned the Child Care NEXT principles and support into a string of wins for children, including, in the 2024 session, an historic commitment by the governor and legislature that means $1.1 billion will be available for child care services for low to moderate income families over the next two years.

Alabama Advocates Tap Alliance Network for Big Child Care Tax Credit Win

August 21, 2024

Early Childhood advocates in Alabama are celebrating the creation of a new child care tax credit. As part of a “Working for Alabama” bill package, House Bill 358 provides opportunities for employers, for-profit child care providers, and nonprofit child care providers to apply for funds. The Alabama legislature unanimously passed the bill and the governor signed it into law in May, 2024.

States Playing a Role in Helping Kids Access Inclusive Pre-K

July 18, 2024

While a mixed delivery system of pre-K has many advantages, it can present significant challenges for students with disabilities when it comes to accessing early childhood special education (ECSE) services, such as those provided by occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists. So across the country, states are looking to improve collaboration between school districts and community partners.

Juneteenth Celebration and Juneteenth Action

June 19, 2024

JUNETEENTH 2024 REFLECTION The Alliance for Early Success is joining our neighbors in a celebration of freedom and a renewed commitment to dismantling the pervasive legacy of slavery.

In Iowa, Conservative Support for Early Care and Education Gains Momentum

May 22, 2024

In Iowa, a 2024 bill introduced by Republicans in both chambers of the state legislature sought to expand pre-k access for families with lower incomes. Though it did not pass during the session, the movement on pre-k expansion has advocates throughout the state looking ahead to 2025.

Virginia Advocates’ Policy Wins Bring New Support for Children and Kinship Caregivers

April 19, 2024

For more than five years, advocates in Virginia have been advancing policies to strengthen kinship caregiving in the state and—in the past several years—have had significant success in seeing strong policies implemented. These advances support kinship caregivers and, most important, strengthen care for youth in the foster system.

Celebrating Black Maternal Health Week: Doulas for My Daughters—and Me!

April 11, 2024

CELEBRATING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK 2024 As we observe Black Maternal Health Week 2024, Alliance for Early Success Human Resources consultant Annette Richards shares her experience becoming grandmother twice in the calming presence of doulas.