Hear Our Voices from the Hilltop: Shma Koleinu Members Reflect on the NAEYC Public Policy Forum

On February 28, 2023, early childhood leaders from across the country collaborated to urge lawmakers to invest in substantial and sustainable federal child care funding. For two days leading up to the visit to the Hill, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) organized an informative and thought-provoking conference, which provided state teams with key tools and resources for effective meetings with their representatives.

Shma Koleinu Members (from left to right), Emily Hausman, Lisa Plotkin, Ilana Dvorin Friedman, and Kathy Pomer, pose in front of the NAEYC backdrop.

Five of us from Shma Koleinu attended the NAEYC Public Policy Forum and gained tremendous knowledge and strategies for optimizing advocacy opportunities. Empowered by our congressional visits on the Hill, we continue to shout our collective call to action from the hilltops: Tell Congress that affordable, high-quality child care is essential and requires ongoing federal investments. "Enough chatter," Lisa Plotkin, active Shma Koleinu member keenly asserts, "we need action, for our educators, our families, and our children." 


​We hope these reflections and pictures from our meaningful experience on the Hill empower those reading to take action with us!​

---

​​Our lived experience is expertise! We have to stop thinking that we need certain training or classes or degrees in order to speak to power. We have to lead with our lived experience, and there’s no one that can refute it. The people on the Hill need it, and we are doing a disservice when we don’t share. This is the Pirkei Avot text in action! We don’t need to complete the task but we must not withdraw from it (Kathy Pomer, Maryland).

Lisa Plotkin visits the Capitol Building.

It is all about relationships; showing up to a meeting is only the beginning or continuation of the process. I’m still struck by the disconnect between how the general population claims to value early childhood education but how our society and government do not support the field with adequate funding in a sustainable way, yet. We see in movies all the time: ancient townsfolk used to visit their kings and royal rulers, bow at their feet, and plead what they needed, explaining them their issues. That’s what it felt like on Capitol Hill. I have to believe, we can do better. Early childhood educators deserve so much more, It just doesn’t add up. Yet! (Lisa Plotkin, Virginia).

---

Lisa Plotkin and a few members of the Virginia NAEYC team enjoy their visit to the Capitol.

We all have the power of our stories and the power to elevate the stories' of others. As representatives of their constituents and future voters, legislators meet regularly with diverse advocates about various issues. It is normal to feel nervous, but our legislators and their staff members are people, too! Our state team came prepared with concise and accurate information. But, at the end of the day, it was our stories that illuminated current issues and, will hopefully resonate with decision-makers. With each new  engagement with our legislators, we build relationships and our advocacy and leadership skillsets. Trust your expertise and your passion! (Ilana Dvorin Friedman, Illinois).

Jill Cimafonte (left) with three other members of the NAEYC New Jersey team with United States Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (D-NJ).

​Meeting with Representative Kean, Jr. was an especially meaningful experience because lives near our Temple (Jill Cimafonte, New Jersey). 

Our Collective Call to Action

You may feel inspired to attend next years' NAEYC Public Policy Forum with us- and we look forward to advocating with you! BUT you do not have to wait a whole year to use your voice. 

​Contact your elected officials today:​​

---

• Because children deserve high-quality care and education.
• Because educators deserve respect and wages to thrive.
• Because families deserve affordable, trustworthy programs so they can go to work. 
• Because our society and economy deserve a better system for success.

Click here for contact information for your United  States Representatives.  
Click here for contact information for your United State Senators.

Click here to urge Congress to support President Biden's ECE Budget

Email Shma Koleinu aBOUT YOUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS AND BE FEATURED ON OUR WEBSITE!