Looking ahead - lessons from advocates in other states

Voices for America’s Children, a nation-wide network of early childhood advocacy groups, released a report outlining lessons learned and best practices from advocates in states who have increased investment in early care and education.

Increasing State Investments in Early Care and Education: Lessons Learned from Advocates and Best Practices.

The report outlines the recent work done by advocates in 10 states: Alabama, Colorado, Missouri, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The report lists a quick summary of lessons learned.

• Know Where You are Going. Create a Focused Policy Agenda.
• Create Accountable ECE Investments.
• Build and Sustain Broad-Based Coalitions.
• The Message Really Matters. Get it Right. Keep it Short. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat.
• The Messenger who Delivers the Message is Critical.
• Build Relationships with Elected Officials.
• Cultivate the Grassroots.
• Build Relationships with the Media.
• Do not Move too Fast for the Field.
• Change is Gradual. Small Steps Over Time Create Big Change.
• Start Early.
• Understand Politics and Play the Game as it is – Not as You Wish it Would Be.
• Create Strategies for Long-term Success.

As we close the chapter on the 2008 legislative session and begin to look toward 2009, these lessons are especially timely. When I read the report I found my copy marked up with notes and highlights on every page. There were many helpful observations from the advocates in the profiled states.

We have made progress and done some of these things. This legislative session we set the table and made strategic policy changes that will lead to greater change over time. We have built a coalition and developed strong relationships with key legislators. We are working to build accountability through the Parent Aware Quality Rating System and work that the Build Initiative is doing around Outcomes and Indicators. We have cultivated a strong grassroots movement with more room to expand.

But we have more to learn and a ways to go. Taking what has been effective in other states and applying our own Minnesota flavor is the next step. I hope you will join us.

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