Come join us for coffee and breakfast on the House Lawn! Early childhood champions are gathering to raise awareness of the importance of the early years at Early Childhood Day at the Capitol.

Network with friends and legislators, as we show how early childhood development and health contribute to healthy children, third grade literacy, enhanced economic development and strong communities!

This is a vital opportunity to show policymakers how early childhood links to their priorities and the impact early childhood investments have made in communities across our beautiful state. If you like, you can choose to participate in several activities including visiting with your legislators and viewing a House or Senate committee in action. Participants can learn how to schedule legislator visits by watching this brief power point presentation.

To find out what district you are in and who your legislators are (click the link below) TAKES YOU TO ANOTHER WEBSITE Find your legislator

When you get there, be sure to stop by the information area in the House Lawn for a schedule of events and information you can share with legislators and staff.

Schedule of Events:

8:00 AM- Check-In and Registration, Coffee and Breakfast begins

8:30 AM- Welcome from AZECA Leadership Team

8:50 AM- Meet at the Liberty Bell for group photo!

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM- Break Out Sessions and Activities Choose One

1. Senate Health and Human Services Committee Meeting

2. Break Out Session One, How to Use the Request to Speak System (RTS) (Senate Room 2)

3. Tour of House and Senate, How a Bill Becomes a Law- Meet at Liberty Bell)

9:30 AM Capitol Museum Tour Meet at TBD

9:50 AM Strolling Thunder Parade and Participant Photo

10:00 AM-11:00 AM- Break Out Sessions and Activities, Choose One

4. Breakout Session 2, Next Steps for Advocacy (Senate Room 3)

5. Legislator Panel (LIMITED SPACE, FIRST COME FIRST SERVED- Old Senate Room)

6. Tour of House and Senate, How a Bill Becomes a Law (Meet at Liberty Bell)

11:00AM-12:00 PM- Break Out Sessions and Activities, Choose One

7. Breakout Session 1 (repeat), How to use the Request to Speak System (Senate Room 1)

8. Breakout Session 2 (repeat), Next Steps (Senate Room 3)

9. Breakout Session 3, Early Childhood Bills 2020 (Old Senate Room)

12:00 PM Capital Museum Tour

*Facilitated Legislator Visits will occur throughout the day

*Please note: this is a regularly scheduled committee meeting. Spectators can come and go as appropriate. The agenda for the day can be found at: Hearing Schedule

Legislator visits (facilitated or on your own) will occur throughout the morning.

** If you schedule a facilitated legislator visit, someone from the AZECA team will contact you by email a few days before the event to give you more information and instructions.

STAY TUNED! Also happening this year! We will add a link to registration when it becomes available!

2nd Annual AZ Early Childhood Public Policy Forum

Attention Arizona early childhood educators, administrators, students, parents, family members, and system partners!

Save the Date: Saturday, March 7 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. You are invited to attend the 2nd Annual Arizona Early Childhood Public Policy Forum sponsored by AzAEYC in partnership with SAZAEYC and Child Care Resource & Referral - Arizona. The Public Policy Forum will be held at community locations in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma.

Hear from experts on why early childhood education is so important for our future. Learn about policies and laws that impact children and families in Arizona. Develop the skills to advocate for quality early learning. Network with other families, educators, and community members. Find out how you can elevate your voice! More details soon at AZAEYC

AZECA is an alliance of 40 cross-sector partners statewide who are working together to give every Arizona child a great start in life. Together, we are Arizona’s shared and unified voice on early childhood, providing informed messages and credible resources that help leaders create positive change for our children. These efforts are designed to ensure that all Arizona children are prepared for Kindergarten and are on track to succeed by the end of third grade.