1. Early Childhood Advocacy in Minnesota Ready 4 K Karen Kingsley Director of Policy & Civic Engagement January 12, 2010

2. Success in Facing Budget Deficit Minnesota faced $6 billion deficit on $34 billion 2-year budget in 2009 Republican Governor committed to not raising revenues; proposed cuts to services, including child care Democratic leaders in House and Senate pledge NO CUTS to early childhood – Speaker convened Early Childhood Summit in January 2009

3. The End Result – Success NO CUTS to any early childhood programs or services, including: – Early learning programs (Head Start, School Readiness, EC Family Education, EC Screening) in the Dept. of Education – Child care assistance and child care quality in Dept. of Human Services – Home Visiting in Dept. of Health Especially significant that child care was seen as part of early childhood education

4. Different Result than in 2003 Previous budget deficit year resulted in significant cuts to all ECE programs – More than $200 million cut from child care (froze rates, increased co-pays, reduced eligibility) – Funding reduced for Head Start, School Readiness, EC Family Education and EC Screening, Home Visiting

5. How did MN succeed in 2009? Culmination of 8 years of advocacy Ready 4 K formed in 2001 from child care financing commission R4K is focused on improving school readiness – Made early childhood an education issue – Allowed inclusion of all parts of ECE system – schools, Head Start, child care – Demonstrated that child care has a central role in improving school readiness

6. Combination of Strategies Raising awareness and building public will Recruiting business leaders Organizing grassroots advocates Developing legislative leaders Building coalitions Advocating for policy change

7. Awareness Raising – Public Will Editorials in major newspapers Billboards in key legislative districts and near the Capitol Postcards, Letters to the Editor, Voices for Children Advocacy Day, State Fair “When I Grow Up” photo booth Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter

8. Business Leadership Hired former director of MN Business Partnership as consultant to recruit business leaders – Formed MN Business for Early Learning (MnBEL) with corporate leaders Recruited Federal Reserve Bank economist Art Rolnick to Ready4K Board – Art publishes article touting big ROI on quality ECE Developed idea for public-private partnership, MN Early Learning Foundation (MELF) – MELF has raised $16 million from corporate sponsors for early childhood scholarships and quality rating system pilot

9. Grassroots Organizing With funding from McKnight Foundation, hired four grassroots organizers, 2 metro and 2 in greater MN Work closely with 80 early childhood coalitions funded by MN Initiative Foundations Organized early childhood professionals and parents throughout the state – Built advocacy network to include 6,000 people – Create Grassroots Leaders Network of 200 members – Used e-mail advocacy system to send action alerts, newsletter and frequent legislative updates

10. Building Coalitions Ready4K served as the big tent where everyone was welcome Developed legislative agendas that crossed silos Created formal Early Childhood Alliance of early childhood advocacy groups in 2009 to develop shared policy platform for Gov and Legislature Working with Allies to develop early childhood “vision bill” with House Early Learning Committee chair

11. Legislative Leadership Encouraged formation of Bi-partisan Legislative Early Childhood Caucus Now includes more than 140 legislators (out of 201) Caucus sponsored legislation to create a statewide QRIS, with funding tied to quality House formed Early Learning Committee with jurisdiction over child care and ECE

12. Policy Advocacy Hired former MN Senate staff to be primary lobbyist Lobbyist and policy director work closely with CEO to educate legislators Worked closely with other early childhood advocates to speak in a united voice Strategically targeted legislative leaders and key committee members

13. Combination of Strategies = Win Need all strategies in combination Take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves – Secured add’l investment of $40 million for ECE in 2007 with a budget surplus Used variety of messengers – ROI argument is critical, esp. with deficit – Corporate leaders open doors

14. Next Steps Gubernatorial leadership is critical, although some success can come even without Gov Governor and all legislative seats up for election in 2010 Alliance of early childhood advocacy groups developed ECE platform for next Gov Encouraging involvement of grassroots advocates in political party caucuses and election