2022-2023 Activate! National Early Childhood Advocacy Network Application

What is the Activate! National Early Childhood Advocacy Network?

The Activate! National Early Childhood Advocacy fellowship allows parenting adults and early childhood (EC) practitioners to come together to reimagine and reform equitable and inclusive systems for families.

The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) is uniting its community-based family leadership and advocacy programs in communities across the country to form Activate! National.

Application Requirements

The application must be completed by both a parenting adult of an EC student and an EC staff member who is a decision-maker in the organization who can commit to the program details outlined below. The parenting adult and EC staff member must belong to the same school/organization and fill out the application together. NCFL will not pair up parenting adults with EC staff members.
The organization must provide programming for young children between the ages of 0-5 and the parenting adult must have a child within the 0-5 age range living in their place of residence to be eligible.
Parenting adults and practitioners will commit to working together to advance equitable practices in their organizations. Examples of equitable practices can include language justice, reducing/eliminating suspensions and expulsions in early childhood programs, increased family engagement opportunities, among others.
Fellows will have the opportunity to work with EC organizations from across the country to drive forward conversations and ideas on a national scale.
Applicants (parenting adults and practitioners) must show a commitment to parent and community leadership, anti-racist practices, and equitable and inclusive EC programming.

Program Details

Fellows must commit to monthly convenings, travel (pending COVID restrictions), an evaluation process, and the design of an early childhood equitable practice guide between November 2022- November 2023.
The opportunity is ideal for early childhood centers seeking opportunities to deepen their knowledge on equitable practices and increase family engagement.
The program builds knowledge of early childhood systems, families’ first hand-experiences, and hands-on application that can lead to policy changes for children and families.
Monthly sessions feature presentations and allow fellows to workshop relevant topics while working toward the completion of the early childhood equitable practice guide.
Fellows receive a $1,500 stipend (per person) for their time commitment and expertise.

Convening and Events

October 24-28, 2022
Attend one 45-minute virtual onboarding session (five different times will be available)

November 12-13, 2022
In-person convening for new inductees of 2022-2023
Activate! National Early Childhood Advocacy Network Cohort 2
Location: Louisville, Kentucky

For more information, contact Patricia Bebe, Senior Family Content Specialist, Family Leadership

pbebe@familieslearning.org

The application deadline is Friday, September 16, 2022 at 11:59 PM EDT.

Parenting Adult Section*

*Please note: To be considered a "parenting adult", you must have a child in your care within the 0-5 age range in your personal place of residence. Also, in order to be eligible, each application must be completed by a parenting adult of a child within the 0-5 age range AND an Early Childhood practitioner. NCFL will not pair up parenting adults and practitioners.

1. Name (First and Last name)

2. Email Address

3. Phone Number

4. Mailing Address

5. City

6. State

7. Zip Code

8. School or Program

9. Do you currently parent or care for a child in your personal place of residence between the ages of 0-5?

10. Preferred Language

11. Why are you interested in participating in this fellowship program?

12. What does equity in education mean to you?

13. Are you willing to promote the practices you learn through the fellowship to support teachers and other parents and caretakers at your school/program/center?

14. Can you commit to two in-person convenings (November and June) and monthly Zoom meetings until November 2023? Travel costs, food, and lodging will be covered through the fellowship.

15. Are you able and willing to travel (pending COVID and travel restrictions)?

16. Do you have access to a computer (not a Chromebook) and reliable Internet? Not having a computer or reliable Internet does not affect eligibility for the program.

17. Are there any accessibility needs or preferences that we should be aware of?

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please note your needs or preferences here:

18. How did you learn about Activate! National?

Early Childhood Practitioner Section*

*Please note: Each application must be completed by a parenting adult of a child within the 0-5 age range AND an Early Childhood practitioner. NCFL will not pair up parenting adults and practitioners.

19. Name (First and Last name)

20. Email Address

21. Phone Number

22. Mailing Address

23. City

24. State

25. Zip Code

26. School or Program

27. Does your school/program provide services for children ages 0-5?

28. What is your role within your organization?

29. Why are you interested in participating in this fellowship program? *This question is required.

30. Preferred Language?

31. What does equity in education mean to you?

32. List the ways in which you have advanced or advocated for equitable practices in your current role:

33. How will you promote the practices you learn through the fellowship to support teachers, staff, and other parents and caretakers at your school/program/center?

34. Can you commit to two in-person convenings (November and June) and monthly Zoom meetings until June 2022? Travel costs, food, and lodging will be covered through the fellowship.

35. Are you able and willing to travel (pending COVID and travel restrictions)?

36. Do you have access to a computer (not a Chromebook) and reliable Internet? Not having a computer or reliable Internet does not affect eligibility for the program.

37. Are there any accessibility needs or preferences that we should be aware of?

If you answered “Yes” to the previous question, please note your needs or preferences here:

38. How did you learn about Activate! National?