Advocacy

A Unified Voice for Head Start

Now, more than ever, the voice of early care and education is critical not only in Washington, D.C but also in capital cities and communities across the southeast. RIVHSA represents the unified voice of the regional Head Start community to legislators in support of policies, initiatives and partnerships that positively impact our regional Head Start/Early Head Start community. RIVHSA is committed to telling your collective story in a compelling manner through direct campaigns, government relations strategists, multi-level networks, and coalitions with shared interests to achieve results.

Advocacy in Action

At each level, RIVHSA works diligently to increase the understanding and support for Head Start/Early Head Start among policymakers and the public through a wide range of education, advocacy, and public awareness activities such as a regional a public policy agenda, engaging government affairs experts, Capitol Hill visits, sign on letters, position papers, issue forums, as well as regular collaboration with the National Head Start Association on strategic initiatives.

Child Advocacy Fund Campaign

Fundraising is fundamental to our advocacy work, and we need your help. RIVHSA’s Child Advocacy Fund (CAF) campaign supports advocacy activities designed to move forward policy agendas at the state and national level through public campaigns, civic education, informational materials, outreach and other exercises. All campaign proceeds are used to support advocacy activities not association operating budgets. Our regional campaign goal is to raise one dollar for every funded enrollment slot in Region IV, and RIVHSA engages the active participation of its affiliates in the annual campaign drive. Get involved today!

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* Your charitable and tax-deductible donation will help RIVHSA fulfill its mission to Head Start and Early Head Start children and families across the southeast.

Policy Agenda

As the only national nonprofit dedicated to supporting the transformational work of Head Start, the National Head Start Association (NHSA) works diligently to make sure that policy makers and funders at all levels hear the voices and understand the stories of staff, teachers, parents and alumni. NHSA strategically develops a policy agenda that is position driven and nonpartisan in approach to address the challenges and uncertainties that accompany continual change in the Head Start community and early learning field.  As one of their regional affiliates, RIVHSA adopts their policy agenda to inform and expand our regional advocacy work.

Position Statements

Whenever there are issues related to Head Start for which there are controversial or critical opinions, the RIVHSA Board of Directors develops and adopts position statements to voice its perspective, opinion, or position. RIVHSA’s Board of Directors, comprised of representation from each state affiliate, develops the statements through a consensus-building approach to integrate diverse perspectives and areas of expertise related to the issue.

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