Kansas Team - NAEYC Public Policy

Kansas Team (L-R) Christina Quigley, Deb Crowl, Kasey Kile, & Amber Tankersley

In March, Kansas AEYC sent a team of board members (Christina Quigley, Deb Crowl, Kasey Kile, and Amber Tankersley) to participate in NAEYC's Public Policy Forum.  As new attendee's, Christina and Amber, attended the pre-conference on Sunday, while the team all attended the full-day conference on Monday.

As the second year going, this event did not disappoint.  There were numerous speakers and panels throughout the day to prepare the team for the visit on the Hill the following day.  Below are some the 'high volume' tweets of information:

• It's time to make a change!  In regards to peer countries, we are at the bottom in offering access to quality childcare #naeycPPF15
• The key is access to "high-quality" childcare.  We are currently only reaching 1 in 6 children.  #naeycPPF15 #investinus
• How do we get to a point where your governors turn to you before making a move that affects young children?  #naeycppf2015 #investinus
• Tax credits in every stage of life improve and assist with the poverty gap.  #naeycppf15 #investinus
• What are the policy priorities?  We have a choice to make a difference in children's lives.  #naeycPPF15 #investinus
• ESEA is a pre-K to college bill NOT a K-12 bill.  #naeycPPF15 #ece
• It takes a nation for a village to raise a child.  #naeycPPF15 #investinus

To stay up to date on further advocacy and public policy information being shared on social media, simply use the 'hashtag' #investinus or #ece on Twitter or Facebook.  

On the second day, the Kansas Team was able to visit with Jerry Moran, Lynn Jenkins, Pat Roberts, and Tim Huelskamp.  These meetings were very positive due to the passing of the CCDBG reauthorization the year prior and all offices support of education. Further discussion was on the support of the reauthorization of ESEA. The conversations were great as the Kansas Team brought a different prospective of needs due to their positions (Deb Crowl-Center Director, Amber Tankersley-Higher Education, Christina Quigley-Classroom Preschool Teacher, Kasey Kile-Workforce Development) within the State.

However, the work is not done.  Advocacy is a daily job and one that needs to be done by everyone in the early childhood field.  If you would like to learn more on how you can assist, simple email Kansas AEYC (email.kansas.aeyc@gmail.com) to get more information.