EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION
LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY TRAINING©
Overview
This training was developed and piloted by Windham Child Care Association, a child care resource and referral (CCRR) agency serving southeastern Vermont. The training grew out of an increasing awareness among Windham Child Care Association staff of:
- the need for systemic change within our early care and education system;
- the importance of fostering new leaders within the early care and education field who are prepared to work effectively for change; and
- the role that CCRR agencies can play in this process.
Through a partnership between Windham Child Care Association and the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA), the training may now be purchased by other child care resource and referral agencies, statewide CCRR networks, community-based organizations and others interested in developing leaders within the early childhood field.
The training is broken down into eight, two-hour sessions. It is designed to be sponsored and led by a community-based agency or organization. The trainer could be a staff member at the sponsoring organization or someone recruited by the sponsoring organization from outside the organization. Technical assistance from Windham Child Care Association may be purchased in addition to the training manual itself if the trainer needs support from Windham Child Care Association.
Curriculum Summary
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Session #1
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Understanding Ourselves as Leaders
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- Introductions & Training Overview
- Discuss participants' goals for training
- Discuss different leadership styles
- Identify barriers to speaking out
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Session #2 |
Understanding Power and Politics (Part I)
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- Looking Back: historical overview of early care and education (ECE)
- ECE Today: overview of federal and state ECE programs and funding streams; problems with the existing system
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Session #3
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Understanding Power and Politics (Part II)
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- How state and federal government work
- Looking Ahead: possible solutions and existing barriers to policymaking
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Session #4
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Talking Power and Politics (Part I)
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- Framing the issues
- Spreading the word
- Complete midway evaluation
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Session #5
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Talking Power and Politics (Part II)
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- Lobbying legislators
- Talking with the media
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Session #6
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Using Politics and Power: Organizing to Win (Part I) |
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- Factors that influence ECE organizing strategies
- Advocacy and community organizing strategies
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Session #7
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Using Politics and Power: Organizing to Win (Part II) |
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- Mapping a local campaign
- Resources: doing research and staying informed
- Other ways to get involved
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Session #8
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Wrap-Up and Evaluation |
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- Lingering Questions
- Discuss next steps as individuals and a group
- Review personal goals
- Complete written evaluation
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Comments from Participants
"Thank you for a wonderful opportunity to learn...
to think of the goal and how to get there, step by step."
"I've found a stronger voice for advocacy and more confidence."
"The increased knowledge and conceptual understanding that came
from the course were tremendous for me."
"It [the training] changed my whole way of thinking."
For More Information
To learn more about the training, contact Kim Friedman, Windham Child Care Association's Advocacy Coordinator, at (802) 348-9879 or use our contact form.
Purchase Options
- Training Manual: $500.
(Quantity discount available)
- Training Manual with three hours of technical assistance by phone: $725.
- Training Manual with on-site training: $500 for the Manual and $600/day plus expenses for the trainer.
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