Public Policy
ERC Resource & Referral, Inc. d/b/a Child Care Aware of Northeast & North Central Kansas supports policies that:
- Recognize parents as their child’s first and most important teacher
- Connect families with resources in their community that support their child’s development
- Promote high-quality child care in every setting, including family child care, center-based care, preschools, Head Start, and license-exempt programs
- Encourage families to build strong partnerships with their child care provider
- Give families child care options that are accessible, affordable and of high-quality
- Empower families to advocate for the needs of their child and family
K-12 Education
Brain Development
Ninety percent of a child’s brain development occurs before age five. High-quality early childhood services reach children during a crucial period when foundational brain architecture is formed and experience shapes social competency, cognitive ability and mental health (Mustard, 2008).
Return on Investment
Decades of research have shown that for every $1 invested in high-quality early childhood programs, society will save $7 down the road in the form of reduced demand on the social welfare system, decreased juvenile crime, and improved participation in the economy (Calman & Tarr-Whelan, 2005).
Action and Information Center
We encourage you to visit the Kansas Action & Information Center --
where parents can receive information on children's issues that they are
passionate about. It is easy to be involved and to receive the information you
need to make informed decisions on child care issues.
State Regulations
Kansas is ranked in the bottom ten worst overall states for child care center program requirements and oversight. State child care licensing requirements
govern health, safety and learning opportunities for children. State oversight requirements
monitor compliance with state policies. In most states, current state child
care center program requirements and oversight do little to protect the health and safety of
children or to promote school success. To learn more, read the Naccrra 2011 Update and the profile for Kansas.
Congress
To view key
legislation that is affecting children and families, background issues related to child care, federal legislative terms and
key Senate and House Committees, visit Naccrra’s Public Policy Page for
up-to-date information on the issues that concern you.
State Policy
Kansas Action for Children influences public
policy that provides Kansas children with the opportunities they need to achieve
their full potential. In their work to improve the lives of Kansas
children and their families, KAC focuses on both state and federal
policy issues in the areas of health, education and economic
stability. Click here to read more about
the Children’s Initiatives Fund and other key issues important in our state.
Advocacy Toolkit
Advocacy is an attempt to influence public
policy in a way that brings about legislative action or change. When you’re
passionate about an issue and ready to take action, it’s important to
understand the legislative process, to be strategic in the relationships you
develop and to utilize methods that effectively communicate your position or
cause.
An advocacy toolkit is your "one stop
shop" for taking action to strengthen child care policies..
Make sure you are equipped with the resources necessary to work toward safe,
quality, affordable child care for our nation's children. Ready to learn more
about how you can effectively advocate on children's issues? Download the KAC's Intro to Advocacy Guide and access more advocacy resources from Naccrra (National Association of Child Care
Resource and Referral Agencies.)
Important Dates
Nacrra 2012 National Child Care Policy Symposium March 6-10.
KAC Kansas Children's Advocacy Day, Topeka, KS January 2012.
