NJAEYC Public Policy 5-Bullet-Point Friday-June 2019
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 is BLUE, just 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
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
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
NJ Shared Resources Subscription
Payment Amount: $30.00
You can fill out the online form below and pay with PayPal or print out the form and send a check.
Please send checks to: PO Box 1024, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006
Please email sharedresourcesnj@gmail.com with any questions.
This subscription to NJ Shared Resources includes:
- 1 year membership to NJ Shared Resources, Early Childhood Jobs NJ, and all other benefits and resources on the NJ Shared Resources web portal.
This membership can be renewed yearly and you will be contacted 45 days prior to expiration for renewal options.
2019 NJAEYC Annual Conference Exhibitor’s Contract
Click here to download Exhibitor’s Contract
The 2019 NJAEYC Annual Conference is scheduled for October 18-19 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Somerset, New Jersey. We are staying in central New Jersey to be more accessible to all NJ early childhood educators.
Our conference attracts key people in the field of early childhood education. With the increased need for our services, we are experiencing enormous growth and are always shopping! Our participants are interested and responsible for purchasing developmentally appropriate materials and equipment for their child care centers and family child care programs. We urge you to bring items available for sale and a door prize if possible.
We want our relationship with our vendors to be one that is mutually beneficial and NJAEYC is interested in exploring ways we can better support each other.
Enclosed you will find the Exhibitor’s contract. Please return the contract as soon as possible. Space is limited, so sign up early! You can also register and pay online at www.njaeyc.org . Tables will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.
Register Online
Step 1: Submit Registration
Step 2: Pay via PayPal/Credit Card
(Add to Cart may redirect you to Checkout Page in a new tab. To select outlets, simply select njaeyc.org browser tab and once you have selected Add to Cart for outlets, you will be able to complete your transaction on the Check-out page.)
NJAEYC Public Policy 5-Bullet-Point Friday-May 2019
Hi All!
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 is BLUE, just click on it for more details
5 Bullet-Point Friday turns one this month!!!
What’s going on in the US – Below is a great article that expresses succinctly why it is continually important for us to encourage our legislators to address the nation’s child care shortage without sacrificing program quality or endangering child safety just to cut costs.
Child Care Supply by Congressional District
What’s going on in NJ –
Strolling Thunder is an annual rally on May 30th in Trenton that aims to bring attention to what our youngest children need to thrive: quality child care, healthy starts for babies and support for their new parents.
To watch a video, click here
To register, click here
To read more, click here
What’s coming up-A5066 is a bill that aims to create child care centers in public schools. It appears as if this bill could be an effective use of unused classroom space and generate more money for school districts. Click here for an article that addresses some major concern child care centers have with the bill.
Members of the Women’s and Children Committee will review the bill A5066 on May 13th. NJAEYC members can continue to reach out to legislators about concerns of this bill. You can find your representatives by clicking here.
Click here to track the bill’s status
Something you might like –
May 1st was Worthy Wage Day, marking 27 years of advocacy for a living wage for early childhood educators.For a deeper dive, read this report by the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE). The report also includes a comprehensive list of recommendations for compensation reform.For further reading on the topic:
- CSCCE is also housing a blog by Peggy Haack, Rosemarie Valdell, and Marcy Whitebook, three original members of the worthy wage movement
- Beyond “Thanks and Recognition”: Elevating Early Childhood Educators by Lauren Hogan and Dr. Steven Barnett
Quote we’re pondering – “Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.” Confucius
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
NJAEYC Public Policy Team
NJAEYC Public Policy 5-Bullet-Point Friday-April 2019
Hi All!
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 is BLUE, just click on it for more details
What’s going on in the US – -
Below are two pieces of legislation addressing the rising costs of Child Care in the United states:
- Child Care for Working Families Act of 2019 – is aimed at making child care more affordable and improving conditions for child care workers.
- Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act– would increase the tax credit for families and expand the credit for families making less than $120,000.
What’s going on in NJ –
What’s coming up-The Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) will sponsor Strolling Thunder New Jersey, on May 30th. ACNJ invites babies and their families and advocates joining them in Trenton for a stroll in front of the State House Annex to urge Governor Murphy and the Legislature that makes babies a higher state priority. To register for the event, click here.
Also, we are holding a Leadership Institute: A Day of Advocacy, Diversity, and Inclusion on May 10th. For more info click here.
Something you might like –
Click here for a brief video about latest information about The Power to Profession initiative. Read the draft, review the additional resources, share with your colleagues, and complete the online survey.
Quote we’re pondering –
“Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” Rita Pierson (from TED Talks Every Kid Needs a Champion)
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
NJAEYC Public Policy Team
NJAEYC Board Nomination Packet
NJAEYC has leadership opportunities available now.
If you are interested in a position on the Board of NJAEYC or know someone who might be please see the attached Nomination Packet. If you are interested in serving on one of our many committees please reach out to:
Helen Muscato: mail@njaeyc.org
Board Member Positions Available for 2019:
-President Elect
-Vice President of Membership
-Vice President of Marketing/Social Media
Forms to Submit:
1. Nomination Application
2. Current Resume
3. Two Letters of Recommendation
Your completed application and all documentation should be emailed no later than March, 25 2019 to: njaeycgovernance@gmail.com
NJAEYC Public Policy 5-Bullet-Point Friday-March 2019
Hi All!
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 is BLUE, just click on it for more details
What’s going on in the US – The Decennial Census happens every ten years. The Constitution requires that every person in the United States be counted-adults, children and babies, citizens, immigrants, or visitors. Census Day will be April 1, 2020.
The Casey Foundation’s 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book warns that the 2020 census is mired in challenges that could shortchange the official census count by at least 1 million kids younger than age 5. This discrepancy would put hundreds of millions of federal dollars at risk and, in doing so, underfund programs that are critical for family stability and opportunity.
For a deeper dive:
What’s going on in NJ –
As our state moves towards raising the state’s minimum wage, it could have a huge impact on Early Childhood Education, as it could impact things like wages for ECE workers, tuition costs for centers and families, and/or families’ eligibility for state/federal assistance programs.
Here’s an article worth checking out: Lawmakers mull ‘unintended consequences of minimum wage hike
What’s coming up-The Public Policy Team is very excited to announce that we have been awarded a grant from The Nicholson Foundation to work toward our public policy goals in 2019.
Our first project was taking a team of people to Washington DC for the Public Policy Forum Feb. 24- 26.
If you would like to be part of any of the Public Policy Team’s initiatives or activities, please check out the attachment and contact us at njaeycadvocacy@gmail.com if interested.
Something you might like –
In lieu of talks around Power to the Profession, universal pre-k and pre-k expansion in New Jersey, here’s an interesting read: Putting Degrees Within Reach – Strategies for Financing Early Educator Degrees
Quote we’re pondering –
“I realized if you can change a classroom, you can change a community, and if you change enough communities you can change the world.” – Erin Gruwell
NJAEYC Public Policy 5-Bullet-Point Friday-February 2019
5 Bullet-Point Friday
February 2019
Hi All!
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 is BLUE, just click on it for more details
What’s going on in the US – As childcare funding is a huge bi-partisan topic in Washington, here are two resources to help understand some of the key elements in the discussion.
- Watch this video to learn how funding for child care is making a difference across the country, and why Congress must do more to make quality, affordable child care a reality.
- Click here for an article entitled, Understanding the True Cost of Child Care for Infants and Toddlers
What’s going on in NJ –The Advocacy Changes Things Team (ACT) has gone live. Last month, we welcomed new state legislators and introduced ourselves in hopes to educate and partner around Early Childhood Education initiatives (see below for more details about ACT Team).
We have 25 out of 40 districts and are still looking for people to help us out in Districts 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13, 20, 21, 26, 29, 30, 33, 35, 38, & 40). Clink here for a link that connects districts to NJ Counties and Towns.
Contact us at njaeycadvocacy@gmail.com if interested.
What’s coming up-The Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development (DHS/DFD) currently has scholarship funds available to support individuals employed by centers that participate in the state’s Child Care Subsidy Program.
If you have questions or need help accessing the scholarship, please call the NJ Workforce Registry at 1-877-522-1050 or email NJWorkforceRegistry@pcgus.com
Please share this information with others that might not know these funds are available.
Something you might like –
Trauma’s Tragedy and Treatment is a five-part video series that explores how childhood trauma can impact a person for decades to come. The series delves into how Newark is trying to become a trauma-informed city by 2020.
Quote we’re pondering –
“Without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” – Maya Angelou
The A.C.T. Team is a collection of NJAEYC members from each NJ legislative district who have committed to communicating with our legislators when Early Childhood Education (ECE) issues are either being voted on or are getting ready to be voted on.
The general idea is that we will send you a short non-partisan blurb from NJAEYC for you to personalize and forward by phone, email, or letter to the legislator in the district you live. Sometimes it will be a thank you, sometimes it will be educational, sometimes it will be asking them to support something.
Legislators prefer to hear directly from people who vote for them, not just from state wide leaders of organizations like NJAEYC. Our hope is that this type of semi-regular contact will help our overall relationship at the state level.
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
NJAEYC Public Policy Team
NJAEYC Public Policy 5-Bullet-Point Friday-January 2019
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 is BLUE, just click on it for more details
What’s going on in the US – Early education is one of the few issues with bipartisan support. Congress last year nearly doubled the amount of Child Care and Development Block Grant(CCDBG) funding, while also boosting appropriations for Head Start and sustaining the Preschool Development Grant program.
At last year’s Public Policy Forum, we were able to be part of this conversation!
Interesting in going to this year’s Public Policy Forum?
It’s in Washington, DC – Sunday February 24-Tuesday, February 26, 2019.
Registration ends January 25th.
If interested, please email us at njaeycadvocacy@gmail.com
What’s going on in NJ –NJAEYC is excited to be working with Zero to Three to advocate for affordable, accessible and high quality care for New Jersey’s infants and toddlers. This spring we will be bringing our concerns about Infant and Toddler quality and the needs of our infant/toddler professionals to Trenton to meet with our State Legislators and we want you to join us!
We are looking for members to come with us to present their stories. We need infant and toddler teachers, directors and parents. If you or someone you know fits this description and is passionate about bringing change to their field, sign up to join us.
Worried about what you would say? We have you covered. Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) will partner with us to hold an advocacy meeting in January to go over talking points! Email us at njaeycadvocacy@gmail.com for an invite to the meeting…. dinner will be served!
Start the New Year off right and be an advocate because advocacy changes things!
What’s coming up-In 2019, the NJAEYC Public Policy team is going to be more active than we have been in a few years. If you are interested helping to plan, organize, communicate, train, facilitate, brainstorm, or whatever else, let us know and jump in. Here’s some of what we are working on:
- Send monthly A.C.T. team communications with legislators
- Public Policy Forum in Washington DC in February
- Hire Public Policy Intern
- Work on Think Babies Campaign with State Partners
- Facilitate Public Policy discussions at NJAEYC Conferences
- Host Power to the Profession Discussions around NJ
- Visit Rhode Island’s NAEYC Advocacy Day in May
- Visit Delaware’s NAEYC Advocacy Day in May
- Take a Tour of Trenton to plan for a NJAEYC Advocacy Day 2020
Something you might like –
You could argue that some of the most important changes in the world, such as the end of the slave trade or votes for women, were achieved through advocacy. Knowing how to do it well is crucial for people who want to shape our world for the better. When advocacy works well it can be transformative!
Click here on an interesting article: Why 2019 is a Critical Year for Child Care.
Click here for seconds:
Effective Advocacy 101: How to Bring about Change in Five Steps.
Quote we’re pondering –
From last year’s participants at the Public Policy Forum:
- “Go! It is an incredible experience that you will regret if you miss it.”
- “Everyone, from first-time advocates to lobbyists, walks away from this forum with more confidence and expertise.”
- “Your voice must be heard and the Forum will give you the tools to do so.”
- “You will be amazed at what you will learn in this short period of time. We need you.”
- “This experience is transformative! You owe it to yourself to attend.”
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
NJAEYC Public Policy Team
NJAEYC Public Policy 5-Bullet Friday- November 2018
Hi All!
Here is our monthly dose of “5-Bullet Friday,” a list of NJAEYC public policy stuff we think you might be interested in.
Anything that is BLUE, just click on it for more details
What’s going on in the US – Ballotpedia connects people with politics by changing the way they access the information they need to be informed about federal, state, and local politics. Their content includes neutral, accurate, and verifiable information on government officials and the offices they hold, political issues and public policy, elections, candidates, and the influencers of politics. Here’s a couple of items regarding NJ voting this November:
What’s going on in NJ –The Department of Human Services announced an expansion of funding for child care by $38 million, with infant care as a priority. NJAEYC Public Policy Team has been very active this past year at hearing and meetings, advocating for our members, centers, and children about these topics.Click here for the full article and additional information.
What’s coming up-We had a great response at the Annual Conference for our Advocacy Changes Things Team (A.C.T.). Thanks to all who signed up!The A.C.T. Team is a collection of NJAEYC members from each NJ legislative district who have committed to communicating with our legislators when Early Childhood Education issues are either voted on or are getting ready to be voted on.The general idea is that we will send you a short non-partisan blurb from NJAEYC for you to personalize and forward by phone, email, or letter to the legislator in the district you live. Sometimes it will be a thank you, sometimes it will be educational, sometimes it will be an ask. They prefer to hear directly from people who vote on them then only from state wide leaders of organizations like NJAEYC.We have 25 of 40 districts covered and are in need of help for the following districts to be filled: 3,4,7,10,13,19,20,21,26,29,30,33,35,38,40.If you need to know what district you live in, click here.If interested, please email us at publicpolicy@njaeyc.org
Something you might like –
“Why Do Parents Spend So Much on Child Care, Yet Early Childhood Educators Earn So Little?” is an excellent short video (3 minutes) developed by The Center for the Study of Child Care Employment to explain why parents cannot afford to pay and educators cannot afford to stay, and proposes a solution for a better way to support children, their families and early educators
Quote we’re pondering –
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Events
2019 NJAEYC Annual Conference Exhibitor’s Contract
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Date: October 18-19, 2019
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