Native children and families deserve strong, well-funded child care and education programs—but ongoing policy changes and federal staffing cuts threaten their future. That’s why last week, we took action in Washington, D.C., meeting directly with policymakers to advocate for meaningful change.
We also participated in the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Executive Council Winter Session and the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Hill Week, where we joined Tribal leaders, educators, and advocates in powerful discussions about the urgent needs of Native children and families.
Key Advocacy Efforts in Washington, D.C.
During our meetings with members of Congress, we focused on three critical priorities:
🔹 Increasing Funding for Tribal Child Care – Stable, long-term funding ensures Native children receive high-quality care and educational support. We urged lawmakers to prioritize sustained investment.
🔹 Improving Data Collection and Sharing – Comprehensive, accurate data is essential for securing funding, measuring impact, and advocating for necessary policy changes. Tribal programs need better data infrastructure to strengthen their efforts.
🔹 Streamlining Background Checks for Providers – Current federal and state systems create unnecessary delays, making it harder to hire child care providers. We called for a solution that respects Tribal sovereignty while ensuring efficiency.
How You Can Advocate
📢 Call or Email Congress – Urge lawmakers to protect and expand funding for Native child care programs. Let them know how these programs impact your community. Find and contact your Congressional leader here.
📢 Share Your Story – Real experiences from Native families and providers make a difference. Personal stories help policymakers understand the real-world impact of their decisions.
📢 Stay Informed & Take Action – Policy changes happen fast, and staying informed is key to effective advocacy.
👉 Get involved today—subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates, advocacy tools, and action alerts delivered straight to your inbox! Subscribe now!
Together, we can make sure Native children and families receive the support and resources they deserve. Stay tuned for more updates from our advocacy efforts!