1. Advocacy Day 2015 February 11th WHAT IS ADVOCACY? WHAT IS ADVOCACY DAY? WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

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

3.  There are different levels of parent advocacy 1.Participation: bring present and engaging in partnerships and relationships, 2.Using your voice: start to communicate your needs, desires, and dreams, 3.Formal advocacy: Use the first two levels of advocacy and take action, usually using an official or formal process. PARENT ADVOCACY

4.  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. USING YOUR VOICE

5. WHAT IS ADVOCACY DAY? WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

6.  Our Center and PSESD Early Learning participatesevery 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! WASHINGTON STATE EARLY LEARNING ADVOCACY DAY

7.  Bus picks ups in:  Southcenter  Federal Way  Lakewood  Buses are not safe for kids  If you are bringing children, you will need to drive yourself BUS TO RED LION HOTEL IN OLYMPIA

8.  Dress for the weather  WEAR RED! COULD BE A SUNNY OR A RAINY DAY…

9. ARRIVE AT THE RED LION HOTEL

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

11.  Group training with other ECEAP, Head Start and Early Head parents from programs across the state ADVOCACY TRAINING

12.  You’ll sit at a table with other parents that live near you – in the same legislative district DISTRICT TABLES

13.  There will be an area where you can make signs to hold up at the afternoon rally MAKING SIGNS FOR RALLY

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

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

16.  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 OFF TO THE CAPITOL

17. ARRIVE AT THE CAPITOL

18.  Look for signs with district numbers on them  The group should be the same people that were at your table during training FIND YOUR DISTRICT GROUP

19. DISTRICT TEAMS

20.  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 MEETING WITH LEGISLATORS

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

24.  Parents and legislators will speak

25. RALLY ON THE CAPITOL STEPS!

29.  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 TIME TO HEAD HOME!

30.  Interpreters will be available if you indicate the language needed on your registration form  A child care subsidy is available to all parents  You’ll fill out a form on the bus  A mileage subsidy is available to parents who drive themselves  There will be a packet on your district table when you arrive at the Red Lion with a form to fill out  Don’t forget to WEAR RED! DETAILS

31. Visit http://earlylearningwa.org/index.php/for- families/advocacy for more information! WEBSITE

32.  Parents help staff to:  Brainstorm ideas  Make appointments with legislators  Spread the word at their center  Lots more!  Meeting Dates:  To be determined ADVOCACY DAY PARENT TASKFORCE

33.  Ask your Family Support staff member at your site, or  Call or email:  Lori Pittman  lpittman@psesd.org, 425-917-7759, 253-778-7759 lpittman@psesd.org QUESTIONS?