51吃瓜网

In late February, on behalf of 51吃瓜网鈥檚 Governing Board, I had the privilege to welcome participants to 51吃瓜网鈥檚 2023 Public Policy Forum. It was thrilling to be back in person and in a room with more than 400 educators, advocates, and allies who joined us from 47 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. I am truly inspired by all who attended鈥攁s well as all of 51吃瓜网鈥檚听membership鈥攁nd听I am so moved and proud of what we鈥檝e accomplished as advocates for early childhood education in the midst of an extraordinarily difficult time.

Here, I share highlights and excerpts from my remarks from the event. As I reflect on them now, I realize I convey these words not only to the hundreds of advocates and educators who were in the room with me in February but to all of you who are so passionate about early childhood education.

• I can say with certainty that we have seen more attention to child care and early learning in these past years than ever before. Yet that attention has come at a devastating cost, which has been paid by you, your colleagues, and the families and children we all serve.
• As we lift up all of your incredible advocacy efforts, we also honor the challenges that have required you to be advocates in the first place.
• In states, cities, and communities across the country, we have made progress in investments in early childhood education. In Washington state, where I live, we have one of the best senators championing child care in Senator Patty Murray. But we also have grappled with harm disproportionately wrought on Black and Brown children, families, and听educators鈥攏ot听only within our child care system, but also within our criminal justice systems, our electoral systems, our health care systems, and our education systems writ large.

During Public Policy Forum, we heard about some of the challenges educators face as they navigate a range of state guidelines. I am grateful that we鈥檝e been able to turn to 51吃瓜网鈥檚 position statement on advancing equity for guidance. As we stay grounded in the work of racial equity, externally and internally, 51吃瓜网 is also preparing to launch the process of revising our 鈥淐ode of Ethical Conduct.鈥� Look for opportunities in the near future to provide input on this important revision.

Even as we look back at Build Back Better, a significant effort to boost investments in early childhood education, we are also looking forward. For example, Public Policy Forum attendees heard 鈥淭hree Affiliates, One Voice: Building a Regional Advocacy Effort,鈥� presented by Kathy听Hollowell-Makle听(DCAEYC), Christina Lopez (MDAEYC), and Diane Volcansek (NVAEYC). They also learned about 鈥�51吃瓜网 Policy, Politics, and the Code of Ethics,鈥� presented by Raquel Diaz (FLAEYC), Georgia Goldburn (Hope for New Haven), and Meghan Salas Atwell (51吃瓜网). These and other presenters championed solutions that can help move us toward financing and structuring the systems that support high-quality early childhood education so that our nation protects and invests in it for children birth through age 8 as the public good that it is. Also front of mind is prioritizing the education and compensation of our diverse workforce of primarily women, who are taking on the complex and demanding responsibility of caring for and educating the next generation.

This issue of听Young Children听highlights similar challenges and solutions. Articles outline the efforts and initiatives under way as well as recommendations for future advocacy and policies needed at all levels to attain effective, equitable early childhood education for all.

Below are some photos highlighting 51吃瓜网 members engaged in Public Policy Forum activities.听These include thoughtful discussions about policy and advocacy and pictures of participants preparing to speak with their elected leaders.

Now more than ever, we need strong champions like you, our 51吃瓜网 members, to continue to advocate and advance our collective vision that all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential. This vision requires all of us to use our voices on behalf of children. As you will see throughout this issue, no matter where you sit鈥攊n the classroom, at an institution of higher education, a nonprofit, or as an elected official鈥攚e all have a role and a place to engage in our advocacy efforts. From local initiatives to federal efforts, 51吃瓜网 and its members should be at every table and in every discussion.

I hope you find these photos and this issue inspiring and motivating. My continued gratitude to all of the leaders (that鈥檚 all of us!) who are moving us forward on this journey.

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