Session 1: Did You Know? State Profiles
State groups collaborated to communicate six key characteriscs of their state: 1. Demographics 2. Political Power 3. Unique Legislative Structures 4. Early Childhood Governance Structures 5. Funding for Early Childhood Programs – State vs. Federal 6. Uses of TANF funding.
National Child Data by National Center for Children in Poverty
Session 2: Evolving Coalitions
Coalitions serve various purposes and chief among them are to engage and connect stakeholders (including parents and practitioners), deepen and share knowledge, and align efforts and messaging to influence policy and increase state investments. In this session, state early childhood advocates from Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and New York will share overviews of their coalitions, highlighted accomplishments, and speak candidly about trust building, navigating tensions, and shifting governance structures and mindsets to become more effective and equitable.
Episode 1 was The Early Childhood Agenda in Massachusetts and Right from the Start in Maine. Evolving Coalitions continued with Episode 2: Rhode Island RIght from the Start, Empire State Campaign for Child Care, and the New York Child and Family Wellbeing Action Network.
Milestones for Collective Power
Creating a New Early Childhood Campaign in Rhode Island: RIght from the Start
Early Childhood IDEA Programs in Rhode Island
Creation, Development and 5-years of Maine’s Right from the Start Coalition
Right from the Start Early Childhood Coalition Member Interest Form
Right from the Start Campaign Overview Presentation
Right from the Start Policy WINS 2019-2024 by issue area
Empire State Campaign for Child Care Overview
Empire State Campaign for Child Care- The Path to Universal Child Care
Session 3: We’re All in This Together
This session was an opportunity to think regionally–and boldly–about opportunities to align advocacy and policy efforts toward a common vision for the future.
Futurism Author Trista Harris Helps State Advocates See and Shape the Future
Creating Transformation with Futurism by Trista Harris – AES 2024 StateFedCONNECT Meeting (Video)
Session 4: Family Economic Security
Advocates from Vermont and Connecticut led this interactive session, sharing how they are building support and making progress on cash assistance, housing, and child tax credits in their states.
State Fact Sheets: How States Spend Funds Under the TANF Block Grant
Live from Springfield, It’s The 9:30 Call!
In March of 2020, Strategies for Children (SFC) started hosting The 9:30 Call which now runs Monday–Thursday for 30 minutes via Zoom. This community has included almost 2000 individuals from early education and care, community-based organizations, nonprofits, research, philanthropy, business, higher education, state and local government, K-12, health, human services, economic development, law, and more. By convening this daily community, SFC has helped everyone get on the same page, share updates, and develop action steps. Convening attendees sat in on The 9:30 Call and then discussed as a group how the spirit of The 9:30 Call can be replicated in other states.
The 9:30 Call: From Crisis to Enduring Community and Action – a case study & virtual conversation
Massachusetts Advocates Turn a Crisis into a Community
Session 5: The Let’s Grow Kids Story
Let’s Grow Kids (LGK) led a 10-year campaign to transform child care in Vermont. Their story is one of adaptive leadership and momentum building through the engagement of practitioners, business leaders, and parents. We heard about their strategic journey and the key milestones that lead to the passage of Act 76, Vermont’s historic 2023 Child Care Bill. LGK and their partners at the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children also shared how they are ensuring successful implementation and the measures they’re taking to transition the work to partners as the campaign sunsets in 2025.
Timeline of Key Campaign Moments
Closing Session
To wrap up the New England Regional Early Childhood Advocate Convening attendees engaged in a Triangle-Square-Circle Reflection. Thinking about what they learned during the convening, participants shared three action items they’re committed to, one idea that has been squared away for them, and one idea that is still circling around in their head.
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© 2024 Alliance for Early Success
The Alliance for Early Success does not endorse or advocate for specific legislation or candidates.
