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| Juliet Zemaitis |
Public Policy Committee
During the past few months, our committee has been working diligently to advocate for policies that positively impact early childhood education in California. Here are some key highlights of what we've been working on:
- Advocating for Increased Funding: We have been actively engaging with policymakers to advocate for increased funding for early childhood education programs. Ensuring adequate resources are allocated to support quality early childhood education remains a top priority for us.
- Promoting Professional Development Opportunities: We have been collaborating with partners to promote professional development opportunities for early childhood educators across the state. Our aim is to provide educators with the necessary tools and resources to enhance their skills and knowledge.
- Supporting Equitable Access to Early Childhood Education: Addressing disparities in access to high-quality early childhood education remains a central focus of our advocacy efforts. We are working to ensure that all children, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to the resources they need to thrive.
- Monitoring Legislative Developments: We are closely monitoring legislative developments related to early childhood education and providing input to policymakers on relevant issues. Our goal is to ensure that the voices of early childhood educators are heard in the policymaking process. Many new bills have been introduced this legislative session. See below for a few we are keeping an eye on.
○ AB-1808 (Nguyen): Childcare and development services: eligibility
○ AB 1925 (Rendon): Childcare and development programs: eligibility
○ AB-1930 (Reyes): Teaching credentials: Child Development Associate Teacher Permit: renewal
○ AB-1947 (Luz Rivas): California state preschool programs: contracting agencies: staff training days
○ AB 2226 (Muratsuchi): elementary education; kindergarten
○ AB-2343 (Schiavo): CalWORKs: childcare programs
○ SB-767 (Rubio): Elementary education: kindergarten
○ SB 1112 (Menjivar): Medi-Cal: families with subsidized childcare
○ Click here to see the full legislative grid
- Engaging with Stakeholders: We have been actively engaging with stakeholders across the early childhood education sector, including educators, families, and community organizations. By fostering collaboration and dialogue, we aim to build a stronger collective voice for early childhood education advocacy.
- NAEYC PP Forum: The NAEYC PPF was held February 25-26. We led 12 Congressional meetings between February 27 and March 1. All the meetings went very well, and we have continued to engage a couple of the Representatives with policy activity and information moving forward.
- CAAEYC Conference (Public Policy Presence): We will have several policy-related presentations at the Conference, including but not limited to.
o CDE and CDSS: Updates from State Department Leaders (Friday, 1:45pm-3:15pm)
o Budget and Legislative Perspectives: From the Experts (Friday, 3:45pm-5:15pm)
o Building a Strong Infant/Toddler ECE System in a Time of Transformation. (Friday, 8:30am-10:00am)
o Licensing – What Questions Do You Have About ECE Program Licensing? Community Care Licensing Presentation and Dialogue (Friday, 8:30am-10:00am)
o ECE Advocacy: Tools and Skills (Saturday, 8:30am-10:00am)
o California Legislative and Budget Update (Saturday, 2:00pm-3:30pm)
o Impacts of Transitional Kindergarten Implementation on California's 0-8 Care and Education (Sunday, 10:00am-11:30 am)
o Advocacy Is YOU!: Tell YOUR Experiences: Share YOUR Passions and Action for Improving ECE for Young Children, Families and Caregivers/Teachers! (Sunday, 10:00am-11:30am)
- NAEYC/CAEYC Press Event: CAAEYC leaders are working with NAEYC to conduct a press event prior to the CAAEYC Conference. This will be held prior to the start of the Conference, at an NAEYC Accredited site and include state/federal representatives.
We want to express our gratitude to all of you for your continued support and dedication to early childhood education. Your advocacy efforts play a crucial role in shaping policies that impact the lives of young children and their families.
If you have any questions or would like to get involved in our advocacy efforts, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Additionally, we invite you to join us for our monthly CAAEYC Public Policy Committee Meetings held on the third Monday of each month at 7pm. Contact the Public Policy Committee for the meeting details: publicpolicy@caeyc.org. Your participation and engagement are vital in our collective efforts to advocate for the needs of young children and their families.
Together, let's continue to make a meaningful impact in the field of early childhood education. Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication.