Children's Equity Fund

Every child, regardless of background, deserves access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education. This means taking action to improve the existing child care system by advocating for new state and federal legislation. We must transform our ideal policies into real, sustainable change that is tangible and universal.   Where do we start? WeVision EarlyEd, an initiative of our sister organization, the Bainum Family Foundation, highlights four ways we can shift our messaging to align our advocacy with what families want in a reimagined child care system. Find it here: https://lnkd.in/evgipnrQ

As we work to strengthen democracy across the United States, we are deeply grateful for our partner, Alliance for Youth Action. Their unwavering commitment to amplifying community voices and empowering young people has ignited a powerful movement for innovative, people-centered policies.   Every voice counts, and together we can forge a brighter future. If you're ready to make your voice heard, take the first step and plan your vote today: 

The Children's Equity Fund strongly supports the Under 3 DC coalition and stands in strong solidarity with DC Action's call for the DC Council to pass the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund emergency legislation tomorrow, October 15.   As Kimberly Perry rightfully points out, the failure to fully fund the Pay Equity Fund at $87 million a year (vs. the current $70 mil) and meet the ongoing needs of the early learning sector threatens the needed expansion of affordable, high-quality child care in our city. The District's early childhood educators have long been underpaid despite their essential role in society, especially in providing developmental care to children.    While we are relieved to see recommendations that protect educators' pay from deeper cuts, the current solutions still fall short of what is truly needed. We must not lose sight of the broader picture. Let’s continue to fight for the respect and security our early childhood educators deserve, ensuring they can focus on what matters most — supporting the children and families who depend on them.

Today is National Voter Registration Day! The voices of our community can influence the policies that impact the early childhood sector, and registering to vote is the first step in making them heard. Ensure you’re ready for the next election by checking your registration status or signing up today: https://lnkd.in/g_3vePg #NationalVoterRegistrationDay

At the Children's Equity Fund, we know there is tremendous power and expertise within our communities. And to change our inequitable systems, the people most affected by them must be able to make their voices heard and advocate for their needs.    For us, that means helping our communities feel more empowered to use their voice and protecting their voting rights. Voter protection and education are essential for a healthy democracy and ensure that all eligible voters can exercise their rights and make informed decisions that reflect their true preferences.

Encouraging progress in the early childhood education sector as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced its new ruling — increasing wages, benefits, and mental health support for early childhood educators working in Head Start-funded programs. This ruling not only gives overdue acknowledgment and appreciation to the crucial role educators play but also aims to improve the quality of services for children and families. This is just a step in the right direction. Let’s leverage this development to fully fund a more robust child care system that gives all families access to the child care options they want — options that include quality early childhood education programs with well-compensated, supported, and competent early childhood educators.

We want to express our appreciation to the DC Council for reversing the elimination of the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund (PEF) from the budget and commend them for restoring $70 million for early childhood educators in fiscal year 2025. While it’s reassuring to see the DC Council recognize the importance of the PEF, we still must address the concerning issue of pay cuts to early childhood educators. It is unacceptable that educators — one of our most vital and vulnerable workforces — continue to face the stress of significant salary reductions. This uncertainty is intolerable and undermines the critical role they play in supporting children, their families, and our broader society. We call on Mayor Muriel Bowser to follow the lead of the Council by prioritizing these educators and ensuring their financial stability now, and at all points in the future. At the Children's Equity Fund, we are steadfast in our commitment to supporting early childhood educators to ensure they never have to endure such financial instability again. We celebrate the hard work of everyone who fought to preserve the PEF while recognizing that this outcome is far from what early childhood educators in the District deserve. Together, let's advocate for the respect and security our educators deserve.

As our partners advocate for the overturn of D.C.'s proposed budget cuts toward the early childhood sector, we understand the importance of collective action and the visibility it requires from us.   Our CEO and President, David Daniels, formally introduces the Children's Equity Fund, highlighting some of our work-to-date and the relationship with our sister organization — Bainum Family Foundation. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eJqBJjbZ

We know that compensation is a critical piece in reimagining an equitable and effective child care system. As we seek to create comprehensive policy solutions on behalf of children and families, early childhood educator compensation — across all settings — has been and will continue to be a priority for us. We're honored to be one of the 44 organizations urging the D.C. Council to reverse the proposed budget cuts and will continue to strive for a society where all children and families thrive. 

We’re currently looking for an External Affairs Manager to join our team!   At CEF, we strive to advance policies that support children and families. In this position, you will develop and implement a strategic outreach plan, build networks, and nurture connections between CEF and those who share our mission. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/et3j-sK4