Recent State Policy Advances
Expanded investment. Restructured agencies. New caucuses, committees, and coalitions. Read about all the ways our allies on the front lines are making their state a better place for each and every child to reach their full potential.
State By State:
Maine Allies Win New Mental Health Program Pilot to Reduce Early Childhood Suspensions and Expulsions
After yers of research, Alliance technical assistance, planning, and advocacy, allies in Maine have won legislation to pilot a state mental health consultation program aimed at reducing early childhood suspensions nd expulsions.
Years of Early Childhood Advocacy Pay Off in Texas
Working with our supporters and partners in Texas and across the country, Texans Care for Children has had several great victories this year that will help more children and their families be healthy and thrive. But we are celebrating one of the biggest victories for Texas kids in recent memory: Governor Greg Abbott recently signed HB 3, the school finance bill that funds full-day pre-k for currently eligible four-year-olds.
Louisiana Legislators and Community Leaders Succeed in Making Young Children a Priority
For the first time in a decade, more Louisiana working families will have crucial support in sending their children to a quality early care and education program thanks to a governor and legislative-supported budget that includes an $18.8 million increase for early ed programing and seats—and this was accomplished even though the state budget bill started the legislative process with $0 new dollars for early learning for children birth through age four.
Georgia Legislators Benefit from First Early Learning Legislative Academy
The January 2019 session of the Georgia General Assembly welcomed a newly elected Governor and many new members of the legislature, and we were determined to ensure that our policy makers kept the needs of Georgia’s infants and toddlers at top of mind. Thus, on the second day of the 2019 session of the Georgia General Assembly, GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students and the Metro Atlanta Chamber worked with two early education champions, Representatives Katie Dempsey and Robert Dickey, to host our first Georgia Early Learning Legislative Academy.
Legislative Support Signals Commitment to Improve Tennessee Early Education
Early education advocates across Tennessee are cheering results of the 2019 Tennessee legislative session that include a slate of approved policy proposals aimed at boosting
Alaska Children’s Trust Report Spotlights the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on the State Economy and Workforce
The Alaska Children’s Trust (ACT) has released “Vibrant Economy, Strong Workforce, Thriving Families: A Guide to Trauma-Informed Policy Decision-Making.” The document was developed as a tool to educate a broad range of state and local policymakers about the impact of ACEs on health and social problems. The primary audience is state legislators and their staffs, government administrators, and county and municipal policymakers.
Early Learning a Priority for Washington State Legislators
NCSL’s Early Care and Education staff traveled to Olympia, Wash. to support an Early Learning Forum during new member orientations in January.
Rapid Response from State and National Allies Creates Bipartisan Momentum for Early Childhood Reform in Louisiana
When the National Governors Association learned the Louisiana governor’s office was interested in advancing early childhood education in the state, the Alliance convened state and national allies for a bipartisan full-court press.
Allies Act on Montana’s Interest in Pre-K — and Send Them to Alabama
When the National Governors Association heard that the administration in Montana was looking to learn more about Pre-K strategies in rural states, they turned to the Alliance for Early Success — and allies in Alabama — to deliver.
New Jersey Hosts Advocates from California for a Powerful Learning Tour
A site visit to Abbott Preschool in New Jersey provided advocates from across country the opportunity to hear the inspiring story of how they have transformed their early learning programs – from birth through 3rd grade – over the past 20 years, following the implementation of a court order requiring expansion of high quality preschool programs to address inequities in their education system and how that first step led to the development of the state’s broader early learning system.
Celebrating 25 Years of Georgia’s Pre-K Program
The logo design by a Georgia Pre-K student for the 25th birthday celebration.
Georgia is proud to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Georgia Pre-K, the first universal Pre-K Program in the nation.
Data and Friends: The Key to Improving and Strengthening NJ’s Early Childhood Systems
With the New Jersey’s election of a new governor less than a year ago, Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) saw this leadership change as an opportunity to expand and improve programs for young children and their families.
