Policy and Advocacy are Not a Mystery: Anyone Can Change Systems!

Title: Policy and Advocacy are Not a Mystery: Anyone Can Change Systems!

Date: March 26th, 2024

Time: 10am - 12pm CST/11am - 1pm EST

Description:

Have you ever wanted to change systems and participate in policy and advocacy but don’t know how? Direct practitioners and families need to know more about policy and advocacy and policy/systems folks need to know more about direct practice and the wants and needs of children and families. This session explains advocacy and policy, highlighting examples from perspectives from all levels: systems, programmatic, and individual. Anyone can ensure that awareness is raised about the critical issues important in our communities.

Presenter(s):

Allison Lowe-Fotos, MSW, LCSW

Allison is a Policy Manager with Start Early, working on issues related to mental health, home visiting, child welfare, and families impacted by the criminal legal system. She has been an adjunct professor with the Erikson Institute since 2020 and has previously worked in direct practice in early childhood education programs. She has international experience working in programs and projects in China, Mexico, and Turkey. Allison has a B.S. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.S.W. from Loyola University Chicago, and is credentialed in Infant Mental Health.

Mayor Diana Merdian, MAEd

Diana's background is in Community Systems, with a Master's in Education specializing in Family and Community Services. She is the Family Education and Support Services Program Coordinator, Community/Data Systems Manager for the IRIS referral system, and an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant with the Regional Office of Education #47. She has been an active parent within her local Parents As Teachers Home Visiting program for three years. In May 2023, she was elected as Mayor of her hometown with a platform of supporting families, Early Childhood Education, and allowing young Hispanic women to see themselves within leadership positions.

Mykela Collins, B.S.

Mykela has been advocating for children since her own daughter was a tiny tot in an early Head Start program. She is the proud mother of two children. Mykela’s number one priority in life is ensuring a quality education for her children and advocating for systemic change in early care and education. As a fierce parent advocate, Mykela has an impressive track record of parent leadership in the Early Care and Education arena including: Parent Ambassador & Board Member (IL Head Start Association, 2020-current); Parent Ambassador for CCAC (Child Care Assistance Council, 2021-current); and Raising IL Family Leader (current); Co-Chair for Right To Chair Campaign(We the Village, 2022-current).

About AIMHiTN:

The Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee (AIMHiTN) exists to support infants and young children and the adults who impact their early relational health. Our focus is on prenatal care up to a child's sixth birthday because we know it's those earliest years that matter most. AIMHiTN delivers education, training, and resources to assist caregivers, educators, healthcare providers, and other professionals in their everyday interactions with infants, young children, and their families. Our work helps ensure healthy communities and a productive workforce for generations to come, creating a brighter future for all. Simply put, we support the workforce that supports our future workforce.