Public Policy or News

Find your State Representative & Senator

You can find your state elected officials at http://maps.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/website/districts.

You may also find your legislator by calling House Information at 651) 296-2146 or (800) 657-3550, and Senate Information at (651) 296-0504 or (800) 234-1112. For new homes and subdivisions (as of 1994), call your local County Auditor’s office – they will best be prepared to help you.

Or, search by city or zip code at http://www.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/gis/html/gismaps.html

Minnesota School-Age Care Alliance &
Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children

Public Advocacy Committee

Who we are

Through grassroots advocacy efforts, we support early care and education and quality out-of-school time programs and the development of early care and education and out-of-school time professionals.  We are youth and early childhood service providers that help to shape the advocacy efforts of MnSACA/MnAEYC.

What we do

We meet once a month to:

• Collect data that supports your work
• Communicate with public officials about the needs of school-aged care and early childhood providers
• Engage everyone, including providers and parents, in public awareness and educational efforts
• Educate members on the legislative process and priorities

How you can help

• Sign up to receive email alerts.  Get up-to-date info and find out how you can help!
• Check out the MnSACA Advocacy Handbook.  It contains some easy tools to help you communicate with public officials.
• Join the Public Advocacy Committee.  We are currently accepting new members.  Contact us for more information.

Child Care Works
Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children
Minnesota School-Age Care Alliance &
Ready 4 K

2010 Legislative Agenda

We Advocate for Access and Quality

Quality child care, early childhood education, after school and community learning programs yield one of the best returns on public investments, and prepare children for success in school and life. Tough economic times are exactly the wrong time to cut your best performing stock; Minnesota needs to support investments in children and youth.

In the 2010 Legislative Session, Child Care Works, MnAEYC/MnSACA and Ready 4 K recommends:

• Maintaining current investments in quality early care and education, after school and community learning programs and services
• Supporting the ongoing development of the voluntary Quality Rating and Improvement System (SF 2505/HF 2760)
• Encouraging the establishment of community partnerships to coordinate and leverage investments in children’s and families’ success (SF 2909/HF 3200)
• Seeking funding for the Early Childhood Facilities Grant Program and local early childhood bonding projects (SF 2343/HF 2458)

Learn more about Public Policy efforts in Minnesota

1. Child Care WORKS: "Child Care WORKS, a statewide coalition of organizations and individuals since 1983, educates about and advocates for quality care and education for all Minnesota's children and their families."

2. Children's Defense Fund - MN: "The mission of the children's Defense Fund is to Leave No Child Behind® and to ensure every child a Healthy Start at Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities."

3. Ready 4 K: "Ready 4 K is a campaign working to bring about comprehensive policy change on behalf of Minnesota's children, their parents, and their caretakers."