Here is our monthly dose of “5-Bullet-Point Friday,” a list of NJAEYC public policy stuff we think you might be interested in. Anything that isBLUEjust click on it for more details What’s going on in the US –  The 2020 Census is coming up in March to April, 2020. The Constitution requires every person in the United States be counted. The federal government uses this data to allocate over $800 billion a year in funds. Some of these programs use census data to distribute funding that serve children, including child care subsidy programs. In 2010, 1 in 5 children were missed in the census data. The Count All Kids Committee was created to assist the Census Bureau to ensure that every person be counted including our children. To read more click here: https://countallkids.org/what-will-happen-in-2020/

 What’s going on in NJ –Strolling Thunder was held on May 30th sponsored by Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ). Nearly 150 babies, their families and advocates gathered in front of the State House Annex in Trenton to rally for our most vulnerable residents and brought attention to what our youngest children need to thrive. NJAEYC was excited to have the opportunity to partner with ACNJ and Lakeshore Learning. A simulated toddler classroom was set up highlighting to all what a quality classroom should look like. During the press conference, ACNJ delivered a petition to governor Murphy and legislators to take immediate action to increase state child care subsidy payments as a result of the increase in the minimum wage set to rise to $10.00 an hour on July 1st. To read more click here:
https://www.nj.com/opinion/2019/06/workers-deserved-a-raise-but-murphys-not-doing-the-full-job-endangering-the-most-vulnerable-editorial.html 

What’s coming up- On June 6, 2019 Governor Murphy visited North Brunswick school district to highlight his administration’s commitment to funding pre-K through 12 in his proposed budget which includes focus on investing in our youngest learners. The governor also announced the creation of the Division of Early Childhood within the Department of Education which elevates the importance of early childhood education to his administration. Cary Booker was named as the Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Early Childhood. To read more click here:

https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562019/approved/20190606a.shtml

Something you might like – In continuing the thought provoking discussion following Dr. Michael Hannon’s keynote address at the NJAEYC’s Leadership Institute Conference, A Day of Advocacy, Diversity and Inclusion, May 10, 2019, here is an article by Susan Friedman. The article, “Developing Empathy to Build Warm, Inclusive Classrooms”, presents valuable tips for early childhood educators to develop a warm, inviting and inclusive classroom. Click here to read the article:

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/apr2019/developing-empathy-inclusive-classrooms
 

Quote we’re pondering –  “Diversity and Inclusion are the outcomes of advocacy.” Dr. Michael Hannon, Assistant Professor of Counseling and Leadership, Montclair University, Keynote Speaker at NJAEYC’s Leadership Institute Conference, A Day of Advocacy, Diversity and Inclusion, May 10, 2019.Have a wonderful weekend, all!NJAEYC Public Policy Team