1. What is Advocacy? What is ADVOCACY DAY? What Can I Expect?
February 8th

2. What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is the act of educating in favor of something, such as your child, a cause, an idea, a policy, or a law.

3. Parent advocacy There are different levels of parent advocacy
Participation: being present and engaging in partnerships and relationships,
Using your voice: start to communicate your needs, desires, and dreams,
Formal advocacy: Use the first two levels of advocacy and take action, usually using an official or formal process.

4. USING YOUR VOICE
Outside of your child and family there are larger issues that impact your program, community and state. These are Policy and Legislative issues.
Advocating at this level means educating decision makers and law makers in order to impact outcomes for issues you care about.

5. WHAT IS ADVOCACY DAY? What can I expect?

6. Washington State Early Learning Advocacy day
Our Center and PSESD Early Learning participates every year and is a major partner with the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP who hosts this opportunity.
Early Learning parents and staff from all over the state attend!

7. Bus to Red Lion Hotel in Olympia
Bus stops in King and Pierce counties
Charter Buses are not safe for children
If you are bringing children, you will need to drive yourself

8. Could be a sunny or a rainy day…
Dress for the Weather
WEAR RED!

9. Arrive at the Red Lion Hotel

10. PSESD Staff
Parent Leaders and Staff from PSESD Early Learning and centers like yours will be available to answer questions
Look for people wearing this button!

11. Advocacy training
Group training with other ECEAP, Head Start and Early Head parents and staff from programs across the state

12. District groups
You’ll sit with other parents that live near you – in the same legislative district

13. Making signs for rally
There will be an area where you can make signs to hold during the afternoon rally

14. Sometimes… There are reporters and news cameras to capture the action!
Be sure to watch the news that night

15. LUNCH, MAKING A PLAN Boxed lunches are provided
During lunch, you’ll meet with your district to plan your time at the Capitol Campus

16. Off to the Capitol
If you rode a bus to Olympia, you’ll get back on the same bus to head to the Capitol
If you drove yourself or carpooled to Olympia, you’ll do the same to the Capitol

17. ARRIVE AT THE CAPITOL

18. Find your district group
Look for signs with district numbers on them
The group should be the same people you sat with at the training

19. DISTRICT TEAMS

20. Meeting with Legislators
A fellow parent and/or staff member will lead your group
You’ll meet with 3 legislators or their aides to help them understand the importance of early learning

21. Meeting with Legislators

22. Meeting with Legislators

23. RALLY ON THE CAPITOL STEPS!
Everyone will gather on the Capitol steps at the end of the day

24. RALLY ON THE CAPITOL STEPS!

25. RALLY ON THE CAPITOL STEPS!
Parents and legislators will speak, maybe the Governor!

26. RALLY ON THE CAPITOL STEPS!

27. RALLY ON THE CAPITOL STEPS!

28. RALLY ON THE CAPITOL STEPS!

29. Time to head home!
If you rode a bus, you’ll get back on the same one to go back to where it picked you up
If you drove or carpooled, you’ll go back to your car to drive home

30. DETAILS
Interpreters are available if you indicate the language needed on your registration
A participation reimbursement is available to all families
If you ride a bus, you’ll fill out a form on the bus
If you drive yourself, there will be a red envelope for you at the Red Lion with a form to fill out
You can participate regardless of immigration or citizenship status
Don’t forget to WEAR RED!

31. website
Visit for more information!

32. Questions? Ask your Family Support staff member at your center – or
Call or
Lori Pittman or