Join us on the playground as we explore Policies in Play!
Think Small believes that placing a priority on children and their families through access to high quality early childhood education is critical to closing Minnesota?s opportunity gap, thus eliminating the state?s achievement gap. Policy decisions that are in the best interest of children are in the best interest of communities and thus Minnesota?s future economic development.The 2017 legislative session included several key changes to early care and education, including:
- Early Learning Scholarships Policy and Funding Changes
- Child Care Assistance Program Changes
- Department of Economic Development Child Care Grants
- Office of the Legislative Auditor Report (February 2018)
As a leader in early learning, Think Small is involved in the policy process in several ways. We educate lawmakers, mobilize stakeholders, and work with partners to advocate for children and families.But what does that actually mean for programs and parents? What do these policies look like in action? Over the next few months, we?ll take a closer look.We?ll share stories of people and programs across the state. And we?ll reach out to our partners to provide more context on what the changes mean for children and families in Minnesota.Please check back for new content often, and share it with your friends and colleagues. Let?s keep the early childhood momentum going in Minnesota and spread the word about the work still left to do.If you have a related story you?d like to share, please let us know! Send an email to policy@thinksmall.orgPolicy in Play Blog PostsEarly Learning Scholarships Are Critical For Children in Child ProtectionBy Rich Gehrman,?Founder and Executive Director of Safe Passage for Children ?The Triple Bottom Line of Child CareBy Cisa Keller, Senior Vice President of Early Childhood Quality Development?West Central Minnesota Child Care Providers Benefit from Forgivable LoansBy Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy CoordinatorNortheastern Minnesota Addresses Child Care ShortagesBy Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy CoordinatorFamilies First: Connecting Southern Minnesota Children with Early Learning ScholarshipsBy Jon Losness, Executive Director of Families First, and?Sara Stebbins, Coordinator of Early Learning Scholarships at Families FirstChildren Experiencing Homelessness Benefit from Early Learning Scholarship ChangesBy Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy CoordinatorChild Care Assistance Program ChangesBy Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Staff Leader
