Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this peer learning opportunity focused on Washington State?

In the past few years, early childhood policy and advocacy leaders in Washington State have applied a Liberatory Design process to create an Initiative in which early childhood educators lead in the development of policy goals and proposals, as well as the subsequent advocacy efforts to make those proposals reality. While this work is ongoing, this initiative has produced significant policy advances and, just as importantly, generated numerous lessons and insights about the importance of grassroots leadership in pursuing transformative change and what it takes to authentically share power with those with lived experience. We believe that the Washington story has lessons and insights that are useful for advocacy and policy organizations in any political context that are interested in doing more to share leadership and power with early childhood educators and providers.

(For more about this initiative, go to: https://childcareforwa.com/the-early-educator-design-team/, Also, check out a national webinar the Alliance organized that featured this work, starting at around the 22:00 mark: https://earlysuccess.org/human-centered-policy-design/)

What will participants get out of participating in this peer learning opportunity?

Participants will spend a day and a half engaging with those who have played a central part in this effort, including early childhood educators, policy and advocacy organizations, state agency leaders, and funders. We’re planning an agenda that will help participants:

• Identify new ideas for improving/addressing challenges around their approach to build educators’ and providers’ capacity as advocates and leaders and share power with them.
• Consider a multi-year strategy to advance bolder policies with early childhood educators, while engaging in year-to-year advocacy to make incremental progress.
• Learn about current proposed strategies to improve compensation and reform child care policies in Washington State.
• Build community with others in the peer learning community and see each other as resources and thought partners.

Which staff from my organization should attend? How many people can my organization send? 

Each organization in this peer learning community can send one staff person to join this experience. We will have limited spots for a second participant, for those organizations who would like to send an additional person. Even though you are receiving this invitation, you can transfer it to someone else in your organization. We leave it to you to decide which staff will benefit most from this experience. Generally, we would recommend staff that are engaged in early care and education policy work and/or community engagement work.

How much will it cost to participate?

With generous support from the Bezos Family Foundation and Ballmer Group, the Alliance is able to pay for airfare for all participants of this event. Your organization will be responsible for your hotel rooms (est. $250/night). If the cost of hotel accommodations presents a barrier for your organization to participate, please let me know. We have some funds set aside to provide assistance.

What’s the time commitment for participants?

Currently, the plan is to start the event at 9am on Wednesday, 11/13 and end around 1pm on Thurs, 11/14. This schedule might change slightly as we develop the agenda. There will also be a 1-hour virtual orientation to the learning opportunity before the trip.

What if I have more questions?

Please contact Albert Wat at awat@earlysuccess.org