Engage in Advocacy At Home During the Congressional Recess
Advocacy at Home
Our members of Congress are back in their home districts for two more weeks. This is a prime time for us to personally reach out and ask for their support for early childhood and IDEA funding.
How You Can Advocate at Home
Invite your members of congress to an in-person meeting or attend a town hall- invite them for coffee, to visit your community, school or program, or to meet with you and the children and families you serve. Meeting in person is a great way for members of congress to see firsthand how children and families benefit from additional funding, to make a connection with you as a resource on IDEA and early childhood issues and put a human face to the decisions they are making in DC.
At the very least, we can all call or email to share our stories.
Ask for their commitment to support the early education of young children.
Share how increased funding will benefit those we serve.
Find Your Elected Official
Visit CEC’s Legislative Action Center and enter your zip code under “Find your Elected Officials”.
Prepare
Read up on the issues and the position of your member of Congress. CEC has put together Issue Briefs (hyperlink https://www.cec.sped.org/Policy-and-Advocacy/Current-Sped-Gifted-Issues/Issue-Briefs) to make it easy for you to educate yourself and your members of Congress.
Have Your “Ask” Ready
Ask your House Representative to support the bipartisan bill H.R. 4107 Funding Early Childhood in IDEA is the Right IDEA, which creates new authorization levels for IDEA Part C and Part B Section 619 (preschool) programs.
Ask your Representative and Senators to support Full Funding of IDEA. The House bill is H.R. 1878 and the Senate bill is S. 866.
Follow-Up
Always end on a positive by thanking your member of Congress for their time and efforts. Provide them with your contact information should they have questions.
Interested in Learning About Division for Early Childhood's Advocacy Efforts?
