Putting Kids First
What is Advocacy? How do we know when we’re doing it?
Advocacy…
It’s about being a champion for your children and the children of our community. It’s about making good personal and public choices to help our children grow to become well-adjusted, self-sufficient adults. It’s something we do at home and in the community.
Parenting…
Is about advocating for children in parent-child interactions (being mindful of the long-term outcomes even when the child wants short-term results, here and now). It’s about working together with your spouse and other adult members of the household and extended family to (hopefully) make sure everybody’s on the same page, working toward the same end.
Advocating…
Takes the skills we learn as parents out into the community. It’s about going to the places where the decisions are made that impact our children’s lives at home, at school and in the community.
Advocacy is adding your voice to the discussion. To do that you need to know…
What are the issues?
Learn more about the Quad Cities Early Childhood Coalition’s missions and goals.
Who are the decision-makers?
That depends on where the decisions are being made. Local decisions are made by:
• City Councils
• County Commissions
• School Boards
How do I communicate with them?
There are 4 Basic Steps to communicating with elected officials:
• Call
• Write
(to the officials and letters to the editor)
• Show Up
(at meetings and campaign events)
• Speak Up
(at meetings, public forums, etc.)
How do I connect with people like me?
• Join the Quad Cities Early Childhood Coalition!
• Become an active member of your ECFE, Head Start or school Parent Advisory Council or PTA.