E-network : Highlights from Early Childhood Day at the Legislature

March 20 2008

The 14th annual Early Childhood Day at the Legislature was a resounding success! Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this day so successful!

Approximately 187 early childhood advocates came together to learn more about effective parent organizing strategies, talk about early childhood issues with legislators over lunch and brainstorm effective organizing strategies during the afternoon work sessions. Highlights from the day include:
  • Opening remarks from Rep. Gaye Symington, Speaker of the House of Representatives
  • A standing ovation in the House of Representatives after we flooded the Gallery and visitors' seats behind the Speaker and a House resolution was read
  • An inspiring keynote address by Mary Ignatius, Statewide Organizer for Parent Voices (California)
  • Engaging lunch discussions with 66 legislators from all corners of the state
  • An unexpected visit from Governor Douglas, who acknowledged the hard work of the early childhood workforce
  • Afternoon work sessions that focused on parent organizing, media outreach and the Kids Are Priority One Coalition's subsidy campaign.
The Kids Are Priority One Coalition released talking points for its child care subsidy campaign, which some regions used during lunchtime discussions with legislators. The talking points are intended to accompany the factsheet for the campaign. We hope they are helpful as you continue to prepare Letters to the Editor, presentations and other materials related to this issue. For more information, contact Kim Friedman, Organizing Director, at (802) 348-9879 or kfriedman@svcable.net.

Please email any photos and links to newspaper articles from the day to Kids Are Priority One's Communications Coordinator Melissa Riegel-Garrett (child33@verizon.net). We will then post them on the web.

Thank you again for your efforts to make this day so energizing for everyone who was there!

Kim Friedman
Organizing Director, Kids Are Priority One Coalition
on behalf of the sponsors of Early Childhood Day at the Legislature:
  • Mama Says
  • Parent to Parent of Vermont
  • Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children
  • Vermont Child Care Industry and Careers Council
  • Voices for Vermont's Children
  • Windham Child Care Association