The ECEC visited Capital Hill in Washington, DC, during the recent National Indian Head Start Directors Association Management Conference.
ECE Leader Tami Brungard, Preschool Assistant Program Manager Barbara White, and Policy Council Member and parent Felicia Toya did a great job representing the ECEC and AI/AN Head Start programs.
The trio met with Arizona House Representative David Schweikert, as well as Senator Kyrsten Sinema's staff, to share the American Indian/Alaska Native Head Start Advocacy Priorities:
- Flexibility for Tribes to establish the criteria for participation in AI/AN HS programs.
- Increase funding to pay staff a competitive salary based on the required credentials.
- Increase funding for HS facilities and infrastructure and streamline and simplify the process for construction and improvement of early childhood facilities.