Early Learning Advocacy Day took place on June 15 in Sacramento, with more than 350 early learning supporters from across the state—including teachers and providers, parents, business leaders and others—coming to the state Capitol to advocate for high-quality early care and education programs. Participants met with more than 100 state legislators and staff members to share their stories about how high-quality early learning programs have benefited California’s children, families and communities.

In this time of unprecedented fiscal crisis, Early Learning Advocacy Day, hosted by the California Association for the Education of Young Children and Preschool California and co-sponsored by 60 organizations including the California Federation of Teachers (CFT), showcased the strength of our coalition of early care and education supporters. Advocates spoke with one voice to tell legislators that in these tough economic times, high-quality early learning programs are a critical long-term investment for California. 

Supporters heard from an impressive lineup of early learning speakers, including current State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, Santa Clara County Superintendent Charles Weis, State Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Larry Aceves and Donita Stromgren of the California Child Care Resource and Referral Network. Guest speakers Assemblymember Joan Buchanan, Assemblymember Julia Brownley and Senator Carol Liu reiterated the importance of California’s early care and education programs and asked advocates to remind their legislators that “our children are worth fighting for.”


Photo, top-right: CFT ECE Committee members Betty Robinson-Harris, Elaine Francisco and Elaine Merriweather at Early Learning Advocay Day  2010.

Photo, Bottom-left: Elaine Francisco and the San Mateo team visiting with Assemblymember Jerry Hill.