Focus Area: Advocacy in Early Childhood

Grant Amount: $10,000

Based in St. Paul, serves statewide. Think Small is a leading early education organization that supports families in accessing quality care and education, helps to build quality within the field, and improves the early learning system. It operates the Small Talk series, educating community and professionals about early childhood policy issues. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Think Small helped arrange for virtual testimony that was key in obtaining $30 million for Peacetime Emergency Child Care grants.

Grant supports Think Small’s Advocating for Young Children program, an introductory training in practical advocacy skills for early childhood professionals and parents. The goal is to incorporate their knowledge and perspectives into official policies and actions. The training, held virtually again this year, will cover ways to advocate for policies that improve conditions for children and childcare providers. Because the trainings will be virtual, they can more easily reach providers in both the metro area and greater Minnesota. Childcare is facing an existential crisis right now in Minnesota – it is estimated that over half of childcare providers could go out of business without support. Helping get childcare providers ready for an advocacy role is essential right now and in the times ahead.