A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR
PARTNERSHIP RELEASES 2022 SESSION PRIORITIES With the General Assembly convening earlier this month for it's 2022 session, the Partnership has been hard at work tracking and speaking out on legislative and budget items that will impact Virginia’s child care and early education system. Since the start of session, we've been excited to see progress made on several important bills and budget requests that aim to increase child care access and affordability as well as stabilize the child care sector. As we continue outreach efforts, the Partnership released our session priorities outlining what we support and will advocate for in order to reach our bold goal. Check out our two-pager through the "2022 Session Priorities" button below! Along with our 2022 session priorities, don't forget to review our "2022 General Assembly Tracker" for the latest updates on legislation and budget amendments impacting Virginia’s child care and early education system. This year's legislative session will run for 60 days and is expected to conclude in mid-March. We will continue to update our legislative tracker throughout the term and look forward to sharing updates on progress made toward our bold goal!
INCOMING EDUCATION SECRETARY HIGHLIGHTS EARLY EDUCATION The January 15 inauguration of Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin marked the start of the new administration and transition to a new slate of cabinet officials, including Virginia Education Secretary-designate Aimee Guidera. Administration nominees like Guidera have been meeting with relevant General Assembly committees to share their backgrounds and introduce the Administration's policy priorities.
This month, Secretary-designate Guidera spoke before the House Education Committee and Senate Education and Health Committee. During both meetings, Guidera reiterated her support for investing in early childhood education. Virginia Education Secretary-designate Guidera underscores the importance of early childhood education before the Senate Education and Health Committee on Thursday, Jan. 27. "We can't wait until kids are in 8th grade. We have to start investing in children - the minute they are born - to make sure they have every single opportunity and are prepared to be successful in life," Guidera said before a January 17 House Education Committee meeting. Guidera previously worked for the National Governors Association, where she ran a school readiness task force with Governors and business leaders studying the economic arguments for investing in early learning.
We look forward to working with Secretary-designate Guidera and the Youngkin Administration along with members of the General Assembly to achieve our goal of quality, affordable child care for all Virginia families!
HAVE YOU HEARD? The Virginia Promise Partnership launched our exciting new podcast, Promise Insider, focused on child care and early childhood education advocacy in Virginia!
SUBSCRIBE TODAY to hear from experts and learn how we can give children the future they want, need and deserve!
CALLING ALL CHILD CARE ADVOCATES! Check out two exciting opportunities to get involved in Partnership efforts and help us work toward our goal of quality, affordable child care for all Virginia families!
PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION The Partnership's Policy Committee convenes to discuss bills and budget amendments up for consideration during the 2022 General Assembly session.
The Policy Committee meets on a weekly basis throughout session to establish 2022 priorities, review General Assembly updates, and decide on how best to advocate for Virginia's child care system.
CHILD CARE IN THE NEWS
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