Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy

Catalog description

Public policy sets the parameters for every aspect of the early childhood system, yet practitioners primarily engage policy at the level of implementation and compliance. Furthermore, there are limited opportunities for early childhood leaders to access policy tables, inform decision-making, and influence policy levers. This course is designed to enrich the perspective and enhance the capacity of diverse child advocates who want to ensure early childhood policy leads to improved quality, and increased access and equity for young children and their families. The course will introduce practitioners to the early childhood system, tools for assessing public policy levers, and practical applications for influencing early childhood policy from the ground-up through a thoughtful balance between theory and practice. Special attention will be given to navigating systems and cultivating a critical lens with respect to racial equity.