The Early Childhood Directors Group
now meets quarterly
Our
next meeting will be Thursday, February 16th
10:00
am – noon - Think Small offices
2021
Hennepin Ave. E., LL20, Minneapolis 55413
Early Childhood Directors Group quarterly gatherings
are free
and open to all directors and assistant directors
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Think Small 2017 Public Policy Priorities
When it comes to addressing
Minnesota’s severe opportunity gaps, we know starting early is effective.
In fact, the single best investment the state can make is targeted
early childhood investments in our most vulnerable children. With
this in mind, Think Small has created our 2017 Public Policy Priorities.
We will work to:
· Increase the number of Parent Aware rated programs and
allow programs to maintain or improve their Parent Aware ratings
· Better align public funds to increase the number of
children receiving high quality early care and education
· Expand access for children, ages 1 to kindergarten
entry, from families with low incomes to high-quality early care and
education programs by advocating funding for flexible, parent-directed
scholarships
· Improve Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program
(CCAP) to assure more children from families with low incomes can access
high quality care
· Support the sustainable career pathways of early
learning professionals
For more information
about our priorities, visit
our blog. You can download
a copy of the priorities here.
Center Directors – Join Us for Policy Hour
Are you interested in
what might happen in the 2017 Legislative Session? The December 6th
Policy Hour covered some of the possibilities. If you couldn’t make it, check
out the recap on our blog.
Policy Hour is a FREE, monthly opportunity for
early childhood professionals to connect with each other and learn about
current policy issues in an informal setting.
Policy Hour is held the first Tuesday of each month,
October 2016-June 2017, from Noon-1:00 p.m. at Think Small (2021 East
Hennepin Avenue | Suite LL20, Minneapolis, MN 55413). Please note that
because of the New Year holiday, January’s Policy Hour will be held on
Tuesday, January 10th. More information to come about the topic for
January.
November Budget Forecast
The Minnesota Management
and Budget Office recently released the November forecast. They reported
a surplus of $1.4 billion for the FY 2018-2019. For more information
about the forecast, view
the Minnesota Management and Budget summary.
The Governor will use
this number to craft his recommendations. The February forecast will
provide additional information that legislators and the governor will use
to make a final plan.
Pioneer Press Supports Early
Learning Scholarships
The Pioneer Press
Editorial Board recently endorsed Early Learning Scholarships as an
effective way to deliver high-quality early education to children who
need it the most. Read
the entire piece here.
Social Media This Week
Share the sample Facebook
post to call attention to the importance of early learning. Or, simply
click below to spread the message on Twitter.
We
can make a big difference if we start early w/high quality care and ed.
See @ThinkSmallMN #mnleg plan for 2017. http://bit.ly/2gRO7JB
What
might happen for early learning in 2017 #mnleg session? Here are some
ideas: http://bit.ly/2hqD9fn
Facebook: We can help
close opportunity gaps by starting with high quality care and education.
Think Small has policy ideas to make a big difference in 2017. http://bit.ly/2gRO7JB
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Think Small
10 Yorkton
Court
St. Paul, MN
55117
651.641.0305
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