The Advocacy Network is an engaging, year-long experience for emerging advocacy leaders. It is a new structure for connecting and supporting educator-advocates across all regions of the state, while building participants’ advocacy skills and first-hand experience. Together, we bring a new influence to state and local policy to advance an equitable early childhood system for children, families, and educators.

Strategies for Children welcomes our third cohort (2023-2024): Caroline Gillis, Cherish Casey, Christine Ashman, Emily O'Brien, Eva Marks, Evelyn Disla, Harold Blanco, Jade Oliver, Lori Thames, Melissa "Missy" Tarjick, Paula Echeverri, Shavon Drayton

• Advocates attend monthly meetings, build advocacy knowledge and skills, network with peers, reach and teach others in their local community.
  
  
• Cohort reflects the diversity of the early education and care field: demographics, provider type, geography.

Together we are building a new advocacy infrastructure to:

• Impact state and local policy for early education and care (i.e., state budget and legislation for high-quality, affordable child care; EEC policy; early childhood mental health; local initiatives).
  
  
• Engage communities. Advocates engage thousands of colleagues and community members in advocacy activities (i.e., letters, testimonies) and events (i.e., trainings, tours, advocacy days).

For more information, contact Jayleese Le Blanc, Program Assistant.

Funding for this project is generously provided by Boston Children's Hospital—Collaboration for Community Health.