Advocacy

Advocacy Day

Did You Know?  Each year Early Childhood Professionals from throughout Delaware join together to participate in an event known as “Advocacy Day”. The purpose of Advocacy Day is for providers to ask legislators to increase their purchase of care rates. It is important to go so that legislators can see how many providers they need to think about when they make these decisions.

Advocacy Day is usually held during the day, at Legislative Hall in Dover, during the first or second quarter of the year. It is co-sponsored by several advocacy organizations, and everyone usually wears yellow as a symbol of unity.

Some tips for preparing for Advocacy Day:

• Contact Local Associations in February to find out Dates and times of next Advocacy Day Event.



• View POC Points to familiarize yourself with POC issues relating to child care.



• Review Current information about Legislative House Bills being introduced; These Bills will effect your business!



• Know your Legislators; They Represent YOU!!



• Network your Business; Join the Alliance, a local support group, food programs, or get to know other providers.



• Share with your clients the importance of Advocacy Day for your business. Notify them in advance.



• Get your clients involved; Share details they may want to come also!!



• Seek out avenues of transportation; some times providers carpool and the DFCCA provide transportation but seats must be confirmed.

Past Participation by the DFCCA

The Delaware Family Child Care Alliance and its members have participated in advocacy in the following ways…

Winter 2005

• The DFCCA staff with the guidance of Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation met with the Family and Workplace Connection to develop a process of inclusion on all advocacy efforts.



• The DFCCA was invited to join the planning committee meetings for 2005 Early Childhood Advocacy Day.



• The DFCCA became a co-sponsor of Advocacy Day.

• Surveys were conducted to determine the need for health insurance and POC pay increases for family childcare providers.



• Family childcare providers from the Alliance attended Advocacy Day.

• Town hall meetings were hosted in New Castle, Kent, & Sussex Counties to give providers the opportunities to share positive experiences and challenges of their business with state rule regulators and Legislators.



• A total of 61 family childcare providers attended these meetings to let legislators know that we are here, we vote, and we want and expect their support. (About 10 Legislators attended at least one meeting).

• DFCCA is invited to Wilmington Early Child Care and Education Advisory Board.



• DFCCA becomes a co-sponsor of Advocacy Day.



• DFCCA reads testimony before the Joint Finance Committee.



• DFCCA forms steering committees in all 3 Counties.



• DFCCA provides transportation to attend Advocacy Day.

Do you want to help spread the word about the Delaware Family Child Care Alliance to other providers in your area? We need YOU! Please Contact Us.