The National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation’s 50 states, commonwealths, and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance, and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on state issues. Their Early Care and Education Project develops leadership among legislators and staff to foster sharing of innovative ideas that can be used to advance policy change in their states.
Alliance-Funded Support for State Advocacy
NCSL will build legislative leadership for early childhood issues by continuing and expanding their highly regarded year-long Early Learning Fellows program to focus on a broader array of topics, such as early childhood mental health, prevention of child maltreatment, equity and access to services, ECE workforce, housing and economic security, and whole-family approaches to employment and family well-being. NCSL will track and support the work of all fellows through ongoing technical assistance and in-state symposiums in three states. In a manner consistent with NCSL’s mission and commitment to state policy neutrality, NCSL will collaborate with Alliance partners to plan and coordinate in-state work stemming from the fellows’ program.
NCSL will expand the reach of experienced leadership by: conducting a session with legislative committee chairs of Education, Health & Human Services and Appropriations committees on an ECE topic; engaging with state legislative children’s caucuses, standing and interim committees and state partners in three states; and when appropriate, disseminating materials from Alliance partners and other ECE experts.
