Celebrating the Infant and Toddler Advocacy Community of Practice
In early 2018, the Alliance for Early Success and ZERO TO THREE collaborated to create an Infant and Toddler Child Care Advocacy Community of Practice (CoP). Over the last 4 years, this group expanded its focus to include almost all aspects of a comprehensive infant and toddler policy agenda. During the life of the CoP, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, Washington, DC, and Wisconsin have participated, most with more than one advocate attending. Members designed and facilitated all of the sessions with Alliance and ZERO TO THREE staff providing logistical support.
Over the years, the group has celebrated many wins in their individual states. Substantial progress has been made in:
Improving early childhood governance structures;
Removing barriers to licensing for family child care providers;
Increasing child care subsidy funding and decreasing parent co-pays;
Creating and improving state paid leave benefits;
Establishing infant and early childhood mental health systems;
Expanding home visiting services; and
Providing Medicaid coverage for essential services.
This cohort developed rich, collaborative relationships that have allowed them to create a trusted, safe space where members share challenges and celebrate successes. ZERO TO THREE has been honored to work and learn with these advocates on this journey. Stay tuned to learn about our next cohort of emerging leaders in infant and toddler advocacy that will begin in 2022.