Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy kicks off in January 2019

by | Oct 18, 2018

When I think about communicating the importance of early childhood education with major influencers, policymakers and community leaders, I get energized!

I get even more energized when I think about working with citizen leaders to build their skills and grow in their knowledge about how they can engage with influencers, lawmakers and key business leaders in their communities.

The Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy has been developed to help shape the public conversation about early childhood education in Nebraska. That means great things are ahead for our state’s youngest children and communities!

The Policy Leadership Academy is a non-partisan project designed to help citizens learn about the importance of children’s earliest experiences and develop skills to engage lawmakers and major influencers effectively on early care and learning issues.

Academy participants will:

  • Educate themselves on the early childhood infrastructure in their communities and how it affects key social and economic factors important to local development and quality of life
  • Learn how to build community interest and ownership in early childhood issues
  • Work with public policy experts to develop a robust understanding of how state and local government operates
  • Learn techniques to communicate effectively with the decision makers who are best positioned to directly shape public policies affecting young children

Begins January 2019
The Policy Leadership Academy kicks off our inaugural year in January 2019 with five monthly meetings through May, including three in-person meetings and two virtual meetings.

The in-person meetings, in January, March and May, will be in eastern, central and western Nebraska. Members will be reimbursed for mileage, lodging and meal expenses associated with attending the meetings.

Virtual meetings in February and April will be online discussions lasting 1-2 hours each. Attendance requires a computer and Internet connection.

The first year’s class of the Policy Leadership Academy will be recruited primarily from communities currently participating in Nebraska Children’s “Communities for Kids” initiative. This includes Columbus, Gothenburg, Grand Island, Lexington, Lincoln, Norfolk, Omaha, Pender, Red Cloud, Schuyler and York, as well as the greater Nebraska Panhandle area.

Applicants from other communities may be considered based on available space in the inaugural class and at the discretion of the Academy’s director.

Participants in the Policy Leadership Academy should expect to attend all online and in-person meetings and demonstrate an active interest in different aspects of community development, early childhood policy and government affairs.

If you’re interested in being a part of the Policy Leadership Academy or know someone who would, discover more information on the meetings and download the application to apply.

If you need any additional information, please feel free to contact me via email.

Tammy Ward
Director
Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy

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