Advocating for Delaware's Children

ADVOCACY

The Family & Workplace Connection (FWC) is committed to its involvement and leadership in public policy at the national, state, and local levels. Issues affecting the care and education of children birth through twelve years revolve around quality and access. One of the most pressing issues in Delaware is financing of the early care and school-age system. Opportunities for Delawareans to become involved in setting the agenda related to the care and education of young children can be found through FWC. There are committees, task forces, and councils working to impact the financing and quality of early care and education and after-school policy related to reimbursement rates, compensation and education levels, and achieving quality for all children and families throughout the state.

Becoming Involved
You can support advocacy work, help set the course of action, and promote high quality early education for all of Delaware’s children. To learn about and become involved in the Coalition for Early Learning, print this form, fill it out, and return it to FWC. For more information, contact us or call Melanie Stancell at 302-479-1677.

Helpful information:

Early Success and the Delaware Early Care and Education Council
In 1998, a Steering Committee of more than 40 Delaware early childhood experts, policymakers, and advocates gathered to create a research-driven, long-term plan for an early care and education system to serve all of Delaware’s children. The group developed a vision called Early Success: Creating a Quality Early Care and Education System for Delaware’s Children.

In 2001, the Delaware Early Care and Education Council (DECEC) was created to carry out Early Success. Each year, the Council reports its progress to the Inter Agency Resource Management Committee and sets its agenda. The Council began their work in 2002 and is comprised of parents and volunteers from the fields of higher education, early care and Head Start, and business. In addition, representatives from state departments with oversight and funding and other community representatives have an advisory or ex-officio role.

In 2006, Early Success: The Plan was updated and expanded to include health and emotional wellness, released October 2006.

Wilmington Early Care and Education Council
In 2001, Mayor James Baker appointed members of the community to the Wilmington Early Care and Education Council (WECEC). They include representatives from early care and education, school districts, higher education, state departments, and community-based organizations. In 2003, the City of Wilmington received the Early Learning Opportunities Act Grant to establish a Teacher’s Resource Center, scholarship program, and activities through Parents As Teachers. Additional funding through Social Venture Partners has supplemented the federal grant and expanded the Reading Is Fundamental Care to Read program.

Better Baby Care Campaign
In 2005, FWC received a grant from Zero to Three to support a quality early care and education system for children birth to five years. This campaign has supported efforts of the Coalition for Early Learning and DECEC. Through a partnership with the Delaware Early Childhood Center, FWC is working on a project to improve the quality of infant and toddler care and education, called R.E.L.A.T.E. (Relationships Empowering Learning and Affirming Teaching Excellence). This project included a director's training series and the creation of an infant/toddler practitioner certificate. Coursework began in January 2007.

Delaware Public Policy

Early Childhood Task Force - In 2003, StateRepresentative Melanie George established an Early Childhood Task Force to investigate best practices, current research and financing around full-day kindergarten, quality pre-school, and establishment of a comprehensive early care and education system. With assistance from broad community representation and her colleagues in the State Legislature, Ms. George has secured $1 million to pilot full-day kindergarten in ten elementary schools across the state. The Task Force (HJR9) continues to meet monthly to discuss legislative action regarding early childhood issues: system building; education, compensation and retention of staff; program financing; and facility funds.
Purchase of Care (POC) Task Force - This task force has been meeting to review policy and procedure regarding the child care subsidy program. Three sub-committees meet to study rates, communication, and policy. A report will be issued in Spring 2005. Through efforts over the past two years, there was an increase of $1.1 million in infant and toddler reimbursement rates in FY05. Efforts continue to seek support to achieve a reimbursement rate closer to the Fair Market Rate as determined by the Market Rate Survey completed in 2003. Delaware is fortunate to have no waiting list for families who qualify for some child care assistance (those living within 200% of the federal poverty level) and to have a commitment from the Division of Social Services to offer subsidy through a POC contract or self-selection.
Regulation Revision - The Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing has a draft of the proposed regulation revisions for early care and education and school-age centers. The proposal went out for public comment in the winter of 2004 and is now waiting a collection of comments so that the task force for rule revisions can reconvene and review those comments. Family child care regulations are not due to be revised for a few years.
Kids Caucus - A bi-partisan group of state senators and representatives fomally joined together to promote the health and welfare of Delaware's children.

Federal Public Policy
To review federal programs, visit the National Association for the Education of Young Children or the Children’s Defense Fund.