Advocacy Day

Every year Head Start/Early Head Start/ECEAP parents and staff from around the state descend on the capitol for Advocacy Day.

This usually entails a meeting before hand where parents get pointers on how to talk to legislators in a very short amount of time about whatever issue we're focusing on that year. (Usually money!) Then we get a decent boxed lunch.

From there everyone converges on the legislative buildings! We all wear red so that everyone can see that there is a large group of us to contend with! Staff has already set-up 15 minute appointments (that's all legislators give) with legislators from the parents' districts. Parents talk to them about why the program is important for their family and the community and usually ask for their support in the upcoming budget votes.

Then the fun part! We all head out to the capitol steps and have a rally! We have parents, staff, and legislators come talk about why our programs are so great (yea us) and usually get a few chants going so that the powers-that-be in their offices hear us loud and clear! Last year, Governor Gregoire even came out and spoke to us for a while and bent down to say "Hi there" to Tucker as she passed us.

It's always a fun day (I get to take Tucker with me)

and a great way to empower parents!

Tucker at the Advocacy Day Rally

(not bad for a cell phone shot!)