GAYC and GCCA Partnership

Two organizations, two missions GAYC The mission of the Georgia Association on Young Children is to encourage and support healthy development in young children by working with others 1) to increase public awareness of the importance of early childhood education and 2) to improve the quality of programs for young children through learning opportunities for early childhood educators. GCCA’s New 501c3 “ Early Childhood Learning Alliance” ECLA The mission of “ ECLA” is to effectively enhance the quality of early childhood education, in collaboration with families, educators, businesses and communities, through innovation, best practices and educational initiatives.

GCCA’s Objectives To promote connections that allow interested stakeholders to positively affect early education outcomes that build a foundation for young learners to succeed in school and the 21 st century workforce. To improve the quality of early learning environments and impact outcomes for young children through professional development, quality initiatives, and educational programs. To provide necessary communication to parents, policy makers and the business community about the need for early learning investment as well as educate parents about the components of quality early learning.

What does it look like? GCCA currently employs: 1 FT Executive Director 1 FT Lobbyist 1 FT Business Developer 1 FT Admin 1 PT Admin Would add: 1 FT Program Manager 1 PT/Contract Professional Development Person Partnership Opportunities Conference – could partner to provide Director/Owner/Leadership tracts and increase revenue and vendor relationships Educator Bridge – opportunities to leverage staff and networks in order to promote and develop Professional Development Membership Benefits

Shared benefit: Stronger visibility and voice with DECAL and other decision makers and stakeholders What’s in it for GAYC?What’s in it for GCCA? Opportunity to have staff and office Opportunity to maintain footing in the state as quality leader with enhanced resources Stronger visibility and voice with DECAL and other decision makers Opportunity to influence decisions at the state level affecting quality (advocacy) Added value for our membership Opportunity to develop under- developed initiatives that we don’t have the man-power for right now Access to our network of trainers and leverage with our reputation of providing quality professional development opportunities Access to our relationships with providers Stronger visibility and voice with DECAL and other decision makers Existing 501c3 with a proven track record of fiscal responsibility and sound relationship with local funders Access to our vast knowledge and expertise on the board level for informing conversations with DECAL

What about NAEYC? With the affiliate discussions changing, we will have a better chance at meeting requirements to affiliate directly with NAEYC Will continue to advocate for accreditation and will have a stronger voice to do so through discussion with DECAL regarding accreditation and QR

What about GCCA’s Current Mission? Protecting Georgia’s Children and the Businesses that Serve them. We advocate for sound public policy that fosters quality, affordable and accessible child care for working parents. We advocate for effective industry regulation that does not burden business with costly, inefficient mandates and that does foster safe environments for children to learn, play and grow. We communicate with a broad spectrum of policymakers and regulators whose influence and actions directly impact the early learning and child care community and we strive to offer best-in- class solutions that will prepare Georgia’s children for a bright future. We communicate with parents, the public and the press on timely issues that impact families, our member businesses and the broader communities they serve. We educate administrators to ensure a thorough understanding of the state’s licensing requirements and the consequences of non- compliance. We educate owners and directors, offering professional development opportunities as well as resources to support their business processes, to guarantee their financial solvency and to assure the long-term sustainability of their enterprise.

Possible next steps… Option #1 Identify key areas of partnership; possibly Educator Bridge and Conference Develop an MOU w/ GCCA They move forward with developing their own 501c3 separate from GAYC Option #2 Full merger Keep GAYC’s name and work in tandem Discuss how GAYC board members will maintain their involvement (possibly continue in an advisory capacity, some move to their board, some join committees, etc.)

Final thoughts What happens if we don’t? What about disagreements with regard to advocacy? What will be the unintended consequences we aren’t thinking of?