Our 2012 Public Policy Agenda is being formed at this time.  There are many bills being introduced into the House and Senate that could have impacts (both positive and negative) on our profession.  Check back periodically, as the Agenda should be complete by the end of February! 

Public Policy Agenda 2011

In partnership with the Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children and our collaborative parent organization, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Southern Illinois AEYC has identified principles that our members believe must be considered when making policy and funding decisions.

The Southern Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children (SIAEYC) is committed to advancing our early care and education programs by:
· Providing Early Childhood Professionals with increased opportunities for attaining educational qualifications, certifications, credentials, degrees, and raising awareness of higher education opportunities and compensation programs to keep quality professionals in our profession.
· Providing all children and families with equal access to a high quality, affordable early childhood education program.
· Coordinating community approaches to promoting the importance of quality early childhood education programs and celebrating the diversity that exists within these communities.

Guided by the principles of Excellence, Access, and Equity, SIAEYC has adopted the following as its 2011 Public Policy Agenda:

Excellence
SIAEYC strongly supports the development and implementation of programs that provide ongoing support, including a professional development system, scholarship programs, non-traditional methods of education and training (on-line, telecourse, webinars) and career lattice.

SIAEYC supports valid program funding that corroborates our values, such as the Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map (IECAM) and Who’s Caring for the Kids? The Status of the Early Childhood Workforce in Illinois—2008, a research project conducted by researchers at National-Louis University's McCormick Tribune Center for Early Childhood Leadership and the Early Childhood Parenting Collaborative at the University of Illinois.

SIAEYC supports accreditation program expansion to provide opportunities for the advancement of professional growth such as the Gateways Scholarship Program which reimburses a percentage of costs based on the income of an eligible participant working in a child care setting; and advocates for articulation of coursework providing an easier transition from a two year to four year higher education program.

SIAEYC supports the Great START program, recognizing it as an effective strategy in attracting and retaining qualified early childhood practitioners and an effective tool in encouraging early childhood practitioners to further their educational attainment in the career lattice.

SIAEYC supports programs such as Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies Gateways to Opportunity Credentials and Training Registry, and the Quality Rating System and recognizes these programs as effective ways to increase quality in early childhood care and education programs.

Access
SIAEYC recognizes that all children deserve the same opportunity to attend high-quality care and education programs. Through its continued commitment to professionals in this field, SIAEYC strives to increase awareness of professional development programs and assist early childhood professionals in using these programs.

SIAEYC supports all early care and education programs including: child care center-based programs, family child care homes, early intervention programs, Head Start and the
Illinois Preschool for All Program.

SIAEYC supports and provides trainings about healthy living, including wellness and nutrition for all Illinois children and families.

Equity
SIAEYC strongly supports providing opportunities for all children to attend high quality programs with highly qualified, knowledgeable, and effective staff including administrators, teachers, family childcare providers, therapists, professional specialists, and support staff.

SIAEYC supports increased funding for tuition assistance programs and lowering parent co-pays so that all families have access to and can afford high quality care.

SIAEYC supports a child care budget that ensures services can continue for low income families.