Action Day is Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Registration OPEN! Click HERE to register for Action Day today!
Join us this year as we seek to continue the momentum for quality early childhood education and afterschool programs.
Every spring, parents, caregivers, providers and advocates from across Pennsylvania descend on Harrisburg to visit legislators and talk with them about the importance of quality early childhood care and education.
Quality early learning and child development open the doors of opportunity for every child to do well in school, in the workforce, and in life! But quality early learning requires the commitment of families, teachers, and the community in order for children to reach their promise.
Have questions or want more information on Action Day? Follow this link to find answers to FAQ's about Action Day.
Don't let your legislator miss this important message by raising your voice all year! Follow the ROAD TO ACTION DAY to raise awareness about early childhood education every month.
Can't Make it to Harrisburg? Join us for Virtual Action Day from home or work!
Register to let us know you'll be participating in Action Day from home or your program. Your registration helps us know which legislators are receiving the message that early childhood education and afterschool programs are an investment, not a cost, in Pennsylvania. Invest in Pennsylvania's future!
Consider the following the methods to participate in Action Day or use your creativity and tell us how you sent the message that early childhood education and afterschool programs are an investment for Pennsylvania’s future!
Online Action
Send an email message via DVAEYC’s legislative action center (follow the link here) to your legislator on Action Day. Or use your imagination to create an activity that delivers the message quality early childhood education and afterschool programs are an investment, not a cost, for the success of Pennsylvania's children and future!
Hands-on activity for providers/parents/children
Have children and parents complete the “Piggy Bank” activity (dowload here) and deliver to legislators’ district offices in your region. Or create your own activity to deliver the message that early childhood education and afterschool are an investment for Pennsylvania's children and future.
Phone Bank
Establish a phone bank in your program and have parents and staff call legislator's office to deliver the message that early childhood education and afterschool programs are a priority for Pennsylvania's children and future. Find your legislator's contact information here.
Action Day at Home
Draw inspiration from Child Care Director Aliya Johnson-Roberts’ story (download here) of Action Day at Home and consider hosting an Action Day at Home for your staff, parents, and children.
Prep for Action Day
If you've already registered for Action Day or Virtual Action Day, dive into these materials to prep for April 23:
- BRING ARTWORK: Bring or send artwork from your classroom sending the message that high quality early care and educaiton is an investment -- not a cost -- in Pennsylvania's children and future. Feel free to use this "Piggy Bank" template to get started or create your own ideas!
- READ PARTICIPANT PACKET: If you are attending Action Day in Harrisburg, read through the Participant Packet to get familiar with the Capitol Building, Action Day agenda, professional development opportunities and more.
- TELL YOUR STORY: Begin praticing telling your story of how quality early childhood education and/or afterschool programs have made a postitive impact in for your children, families, and community.
- ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION: Need transporation to Harrisburg from the Southeast? Fill out this form and return to DVAEYC to get more information on buses leaving from the Southeast region, and to reserve your spot.