Early Edge Participates in Thriving Families California’s Advocacy Day
On Wednesday, January 22nd, Early Edge California was excited to join Thriving Families California and over 50 other organizations in the 6th annual “Lifting Up Families” Hybrid Advocacy Day. The event aimed to uplift the voices of families, children, child care providers, food banks, and other community advocates to create a California that keeps families housed, fed, and cared for.
In preparation for the advocacy day, Early Edge California’s Policy Analyst, Andrew Avila, alongside Dubrea Sanders (Catalyst California) and McKenzie Richardson (Thriving Families California) facilitated grassroots training for participants. The hour-long advocacy training and “prep-talk” provided an overview of what participants could expect in the meetings and what to share, and emphasized how every person and viewpoint in the meeting is important.
During the advocacy day, Early Edge staff participated in in-person meetings with Assemblymember Liz Ortega, as well as with staff from the offices of Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and Senator Melissa Hurtado. These meetings were opportunities for diverse voices to come together in uplifting the need to fulfill the promise of rate reform and child care slots. Other priorities the group uplifted were supporting Dual Language Learner children, retaining cost of care plus payments for caregivers, and funding to support the staffing and improvement of Early Learning facilities.
Pictured: Meeting with Assemblymember Liz Ortega and local advocates including Early Edge’s Policy Analyst, Andrew Avila.
The Lifting Up Families advocacy day highlighted the importance of investments in our state’s mixed delivery system of Early Learning and Care to promote the well-being of children and families, alongside other critical issues such as housing, food security, and broader family support.