Public Policy Coalition
For the third year running, a coalition of early childhood advocates is presenting a united front to state policy makers about support for early care and learning. The coalition includes Best Beginnings; Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC); Alaska Head Start Association; Alaska Infant Learning Professional Association; and thread, Alaska’s Child Care Resource and Referral Network.
“When we speak with a single voice, we’re much more effective,” said Abbe Hensley, Executive Director of Best Beginnings. “In years past, when various organizations lobbied only for their own program, policy makers were put in the uncomfortable position of trying to choose or referee. By working together, we make it easier for policy makers to see, appreciate, and ultimately support the big picture.”
Participants at the Anchorage AEYC Conference in January added their voices by writing postcards to Governor Sean Parnell and legislators.
“It might not seem like a big deal, but it is,” Hensley said. “Policy makers take notice when they hear the same general message from a lot of different constituents. The louder our voice, the more we’ll be heard.”
The public policy priorities for 2011 are recommendations for state support that would help to build a comprehensive approach to Alaska’s early care and learning system.
The recommendations are:
- Support local community efforts to address early care and learning priorities through Best Beginnings’ local partnerships. Local partnerships contribute innovation, accountability, and statewide coordination.
- Support the Parents as Teachers (PAT) Home Visiting Program and Best Beginnings’ statewide Imagination Library initiative. Both programs expand early literacy, family engagement, and healthy parenting practices to more Alaska families and communities.
- Improve access to quality early care and learning programs through funding to:
- Reinstate the thread awards that recognize and provide incentives to teachers and caregivers.
- Increase thread’s capacity to support parents seeking child care for children with special needs.
- Increase State of Alaska investments in Head Start.
- Restore access to health care by increasing the income eligibility guidelines for Denali Kid Care. This change would restore eligibility to 1,300 children.
The coalition members will work with policy makers through the legislative session to promote these policy priorities. Individuals and organizations wanting to lend their voices in support may request legislative e-alerts by contacting Best Beginnings at
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Be a Voice: Advocate - Click here to find more information on how to advocate for early care and learning in Alaska.
This article appeared in the March 2011 issue of Best Beginnings E-newsletter. Please refer to our Content Reproduction Policy if you are interested in reproducing content provided on this website.
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