When is the Right Time to Use Personal Stories and Vivid Examples?
How To Effectively Communicate About Early Childhood

At one time or another, most of us have used a child's personal story (or a family's story) to pull at the heartstrings of the public, potential donors, or policymakers in an effort to convince them to pay attention. It is a commonly used tactic, and we see it everywhere - in newspaper articles and TV news reports, advocacy materials, political campaigns, and fundraising. With so many industries using this strategy, it must be successful, right? Well, not always, and this is why we need to delve into the communications research to understand what is happening when we communicate using such vivid personal stories.

This new article in the framing series takes this communications challenge head-on: Is it really effective to include the stories of specific children or families in our communications and advocacy efforts? Drawing on research from the Frameworks Institute, we focus on an analysis of personal stories and vivid examples to inform our advocacy and communications practice. Read the new framing article now!

Download the June Advocacy Developmental Milestone Calendar!

Summer is here! In the advocacy world, it is a great time to lay the groundwork for the next legislative and fiscal year. Your advocacy challenge in June is to make the most of this “summer break” by (1) meeting with your state legislators while they are in their home district and (2) attending summer hearings and meetings in preparation for the next legislative session. Download the June calendar now!

State Policy Update
California Voters Defeat Proposition to Redirect Early Childhood Funds

On May 19th, Californians voted to defeat two key pieces of the state's budget agreement that would have significantly reduced state funds dedicated to early childhood and mental health services. Proposition 1D, an amendment to the California Children and Families Act of 1998 (Proposition 10), was defeated by a vote of 66% to 34%. Proposition 1E, an amendment to the Mental Health Services Act of 2004 (Proposition 63), was defeated by the same margin. Both propositions would have redirected funds away from local programs serving young children and their families to help reduce the state's sizeable deficit. Click here to read the full state policy update now!

Federal Policy Update

Last month, members of the House and Senate introduced several bills which, if enacted, would impact infants, toddlers, and their families. Click here to learn more about the Starting Early Starting Right Act, the Child Care Facilities Financing Act of 2009, the Family Tax Relief Act of 2009, and the Family Income to Respond to Significant Transitions (FIRST) Act.

Additionally, ZERO TO THREE's Navigating the Opportunities for Families with Young Children in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has been updated with new information and resources for states and local communities looking to maximize the impact of the stimulus funds for infants, toddlers, and their families. Download the updated interactive tool now!

Publications & Resources

FAQs about State Early Childhood Advisory Councils
The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices is now featuring a new brief which addresses frequently asked questions regarding State Early Childhood Advisory Councils. Creating a Comprehensive State Early Childhood Advisory Council addresses common questions on starting new councils, as well as the new requirements for existing councils put forth in the 2007 Head Start Act. For more information about state early childhood advisory councils, click here.

More Children At-Risk From Lack of Food
Even Very Low Levels of Food Insecurity Found to Harm Children's Health is the first policy action brief in a new series from Children's HealthWatch. Data indicate that more children are at-risk for health and developmental problems due to insufficient food than is often recognized. Children and families classified as "marginally food secure" by the USDA are at significant risk for health problems, developmental delay, and impaired school performance compared to those in "food secure" households. This brief advocates for nutrition programs that reach a wider spectrum of children and families in need.

How to Use Data to Design Comprehensive Systems for Young Children
The New York Council on Children and Families designed, Using Data to Build Comprehensive Systems for Infants and Families, a set of materials to provide guidance to early childhood coalitions in states as they attempt to improve systems of care for infants and families. The Facilitator Guide steers coalition members through a community assessment process, and the Resource Guide provides coalition members with information and tools to effectively use data and devise strategies to improve early childhood networks in their communities.

Improving Service Coordination for Young Children
In a new report, Improving Care Coordination, Case Management, and Linkages to Service for Young Children: Opportunities for States, the National Academy for State Health Policy and the Commonwealth Fund explore how states can promote and support the healthy development of young children through improving service coordination. The report spotlights the roles states can play to facilitate and support improved linkages by: 1) maximizing the use of personnel; 2) undertaking quality improvement initiatives; 3) supporting data, information, and technology; and 4) supporting individualized care plans and cross-systems planning.