The Alliance for Early Success is a 50-state resource for early-childhood advocates as they pursue the big, sustained impact that will ensure every child in every state, birth through age eight, has an equal chance to grow, learn, and succeed.
From ballot measures to shifting power dynamics, election day results at the state level have big implications for children and their families. Take a look at some of the key developments.
Federal and state child tax credits have historically received bipartisan support. These tax credits for families with children under age 17 provide financial relief for low-income families and their children and support economic mobility. New Jersey, Vermont, and RI have recently chosen to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to enact state-level child tax credits.
Alliance allies at Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network (HCAN) worked in coalition with partner organizations this session to pass legislation that will improve economic security for children and families – particularly those who have been most impacted by structural racism and continue to have the lowest wages.
Alliance allies in Virginia – Virginia Early Childhood Foundation and Voices for Virginia’s Children – worked with bipartisan leaders to negotiate a two-year budget that supports children and families, including investments in early childhood education, children’s healthy development, and family support systems.
In April, the Alliance convened a peer learning group led by advocates who have been successful in building and leveraging local champions to shift priorities in states without strong track records in supporting young children and their families.
To make sure advocates are aware of the many strategies available for for directing revenue to early childhood supports, Children’s Funding Project recently organized a peer discussion on revenue. Alliance allies heard from CFP, a special guest from ITEP, and — most important — each other.
The Under 3 DC celebrates advocacy wins that led to $75 million that DC will use to begin to publicly fund increases in early childhood educators’ compensation. These efforts will begin movement towards a more equitable funding structure for ECE.
To highlight the importance of investing in Oklahoma’s early childhood programs and in preparation for the upcoming legislative session, Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness (OPSR) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) invited legislators and legislative staff to an Early Childhood Policy Symposium at the Oklahoma State Capitol on January 11.
Voices for Vermont’s Children built momentum for economic justice through their advocacy approach paired with consistent messaging. These allies work in partnership with coalitions and use outcome impact data to ensure that Reach Up will meet families’ basic needs for the well-being of Vermont children.
Vermont allies at Let’s Grow Kids have been working diligently to advocate for H.171 as part of a three-year campaign to transform the state’s child care system. The monumental bill passed with full support across party lines, making child care more accessible and affordable.
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