Public Policy at NAEYC: An Orientation Module NAEYC Public Policy and Affiliate Relations Departments January

Introduction  In 2008, the NAEYC Affiliate Council approved the development of Affiliate Orientation Modules. The purpose of the orientation modules is to provide affiliate leadership and staff with timely and relevant information related to all areas of accountability as a recognized NAEYC Affiliate.  Each orientation module is delivered via a live webinar and conference call format. PowerPoints are archived on the Affiliate Resource page for greater accessibility by the Affiiate community. We encourage you to incorporate these orientation modules into your local or state board orientation sessions.  In many instances, additional information can be found in the notes section of the PowerPoint. For questions, comments or technical support please contact Matt Seiler, Affiliate Relations Coordinator, at or by phone at ext Thank you for your leadership in NAEYC! 3

Affiliates and the Role of Public Policy  Charter Agreement: Local and State Affiliate enjoy a legal and fiscal relationship with NAEYC.  All Local and State Affiliates submit an annual online Roles and Functions report  Programs and Services contain specific criteria regarding Public Policy 4

Affiliates and the Role of Public Policy  The criteria related to Policy in the Roles and Functions report currently includes:  Keep records of the advocacy and lobbying activity as well as the related financial expenses by the affiliate each year  The affiliate has a public policy committee  A process exists to disseminate public policy updates and action alerts to membership  All board members are registered with Children’s Champions 5

Affiliates and the Role of Public Policy  The Affiliate Council is a recognized governance body within NAEYC, with each state affiliate electing or appointing a representative.  The Affiliate Council submits an Annual Report to the NAEYC Governing Board  The Affiliate Council appointed a Criteria Review Task Force in

Affiliates and the Role of Public Policy  Emerging criteria recently approved (June 2009) by the Affiliate Council includes: Create an emerging criteria category for future Roles and Functions reports. Develop and support an emerging criterion requiring State Affiliates to develop and approve a member-vetted and board approved Public Policy Agenda. 7

Affiliates and the Role of Public Policy  This presentation serves as a resource to strengthen the affiliate by providing clarity as they continue to understand and develop their role as a public policy advocate.  Allow us to introduce our colleagues from the NAEYC Public Policy Department 8

Public Policy at NAEYC  Sarah LeMoine, Director, Early Childhood Workforce Systems Initiative  Davida McDonald, Director, State Policy  Adele Robinson, Associate Executive Director, Public Policy  Christina Wysong, Program Associate 9

Public Policy Advocacy Overarching Goals of NAEYC’s Public Policy Efforts  Creating a well-financed, high quality system of early childhood education birth through age 8 across all settings  Helping all members become effective advocates, which means they: Have awareness of; Are knowledgeable about; Are able to competently discuss and debate; and Have the capacity to act in ways that influence decisions on public policy at all levels (national, state and local) aligned with Association goals. 10

Foundation for our Policy Work Issue-driven, nonpartisan National, state, local relationships and two- way support NAEYC Public Policy Program NAEYC Position Statements NAEYC standards for program accreditation and for teacher preparation Research in the field 11

NAEYC Public Policy Resources Technical assistance (TA) on policy issues to affiliates, policymakers, advocates, and other stakeholders TA and support to affiliates on public policy capacity Presentations at national and state conferences and meetings on variety of topics Website pages dedicated to public policy developments, tools, and links Coalitions and alliances working on shared public policy objectives at national and/or state levels Listserv and outreach to new affiliate policy leaders Webinars and other information sharing mechanisms 12

State Policy Davida McDonald Researching and tracking state and national policy trends Providing TA to affiliates, advocates and policymakers Working with affiliates to build public policy advocacy capacity Representing NAEYC in coalitions, at meetings and conferences 13

State Public Policy Resources Online State Trends QRIS Initiative Early Childhood Workforce Systems Initiative Effective Advocacy 14

State Public Policy Resources Technical Assistance Research Legislative analysis QRIS Affiliate public policy capacity (affiliate guides, effective advocacy, roles and responsibilities, running a successful public policy committee, outreach to new public policy chairs) Policy Leaders ListServ

State Public Policy Leaders ListServ Communication tool between NAEYC and affiliates and between affiliates Members of ListServ Current AEYC staff and select AEYC Board members Key AEYC affiliate leaders who communicate public policy information to members Current NAEYC Governing Board members Key NAEYC staff Local AEYC public policy chairs and other board members can be added at the discretion of the state public policy chair 16

NAEYC Affiliate Guides Creating a Public Policy Agenda State Affiliate Public Policy Chairs 17

EC Workforce Systems Initiative Sarah LeMoine, Christina Wysong Assists states in developing, enhancing, and implementing policies for an integrated early childhood professional development (PD) system Sponsored by the Birth to Five Policy Alliance and the McCormick Foundation, with previous support from Cornerstones for Kids 18

Work Frame: State Policy Blueprint Workforce Designs: A Policy Blueprint for State Early Childhood Professional Development Systems Recommended state policies for integrated PD system building 6 essential policy areas 4 policy-making principles What should exist: future 19

20 Blueprint Policy Areas & Principles Essential Policy Areas Professional Standards Career Pathways Articulation Advisory Structure Data Financing Policy-Making Principles Integration Quality Assurance Diversity, Inclusion, and Access Compensation Parity

21 ECWSI Activities & Resources Collaborative consultation Peer-to-peer exchanges Webinars Annual state leadership team summit State TA National and internal (NAEYC) partnerships and collaboration Online state policy database Blueprint, summary, planning guide and additional tools

Federal Policy Adele Robinson, Christina Wysong Direct advocacy with Congress and the Administration – individually and with coalitions Recommendations: NAEYC’s Call to Action, other letters and comments Updates and grassroots mobilization through Children’s Champions Annual NAEYC Public Policy Forum for members 22

Lobbying vs. Political Activity Lobbying – 501©(3) can lobby, with limit on how much they spend and only nonpartisan activities Make sure filing appropriate forms Political activity – 501©(3), cannot endorse/oppose a candidate or give resources (cash or in-kind) to any candidate for elected office Can hold nonpartisan candidate forums and conduct nonpartisan voter registration See website for more information; always check state laws with an attorney 23

Contact Information Sarah LeMoine Director, ECWSI X 8841; (202) Davida McDonald Director, State Policy x 8839; (202) NAEYC central office: (800) Adele Robinson Assoc. Exec. Director, Public Policy X 8837; (202) Christina Wysong Program Associate x 8840; (202)

Contact Information Gwen Simmons Director, Affiliate Relations X8856; (202) NAEYC central office: (800) Matt Seiler Affiliate Relations Coordinator X8821; (202)

State and local board members are part of the NAEYC extended family. You are important ambassadors for NAEYC and our work.