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The Early Care and Education Consortium
Summer 2009 Advocacy Campaign:
“THIS is high-quality child care!”
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Welcome
The Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC)
Summer 2009 Advocacy Campaign
(202) 408-9626 [email protected]
Purpose of the Campaign
Goals:1. Help more children get access to good
programs by improving policies for providers and families
2. Let Congress know about the many existing high-quality early childhood programs
To help achieve the goals: We’re going to bring Members of Congress to our
centers!
Purpose
• Bring elected officials and other leaders out of their offices and in to the communities they represent
• More than a tour - an opportunity to share our message and ask for their support
Simple but Effective
These events do not have to be complicated or difficult to plan
A brief visit can make a difference!
Move beyond the paper and the meetings
Show them child care
Campaign Toolbox
A complete guide Planning checklist Resources: talking points, sample letters, more!
Download the Toolbox at www.ececonsortium.org
When, where and who?
• August 10 – August 28, 2009
• Your centers!
• Key Members of Congress have been selected and matched to ECEC member centers
Ideas for the Visit
• A tour plus more! • Interaction is the most compelling part -
this is what sets a visit apart from other advocacy strategies!
• Briefly provide numbers and facts, and an overview of your community.
• Take pictures!
Action Steps
• We invited these Members of Congress because we want them to support child care
• Tell them there are things they can do when they return to Washington, DC!
• Basic “talking points” in the Campaign Toolbox
The Scheduling Process
• FAX or email, but do not MAIL the invitation letter– Sample letters are included in the Campaign Toolbox
• The letter will take some following up
• Try to be flexible about dates and times to increase our chances of successfully scheduling the Member of Congress! – But make sure it is a time when the program is in action,
with children who are awake!
Sample Invitation Letter
Just fill in the blanks!
Samples are in the Campaign
Toolbox
Sample Agenda for lunchtime idea
11:30-11:40 Welcome Representative “A”
11:40-12:00 Tour the center
12:00-12:20 Enjoy lunch with the children! (take pictures!)
12:20-12:30 Thank Representative “A” for coming, tell him to support child care, improve quality and make sure more children have access to wonderful programs like this one
Sample Agenda for morning idea
10:00-10:10 Welcome Senator “B”
10:10-10:30 Tour the center
10:30-10:45 Ask Senator “B” to participate in circle time, and read a story together (take pictures!)
10:45-11:00 Thank Senator “B” for coming, tell her to support child care, improve quality and make sure more children have access to wonderful programs like this one
Materials
• Provide participants with background materials to refer to later that clearly convey the positive message of the day
• ECEC will provide policy-related handouts to give to the Member of Congress
Promoting the Visit
• Consider letting your local press know about the event
• Prepare to highlight the event in your next newsletter and on your website
• ECEC will promote this nationally
Follow-up
• Send a thank you letter immediately after the event
• Congratulate yourself and your staff!
• Send the Follow-Up Form to ECEC
Next Steps:
Review the Campaign Toolbox
Send out your invitation!
Thank you!
Please contact ECEC if you have any questions, need help, or have ideas to share with others
involved in this campaign! Phone: (202) 408-9626
Email: [email protected] Website:www.ececonsortium.org
