Governor Christie has not yet articulated his administration's position on New Jersey's high quality Abbott preschool program, but supporters of early childhood education have wasted no time in advocating for the program and other early childhood initiatives. Outreach to the new governor, acting Commissioner of Education Bret Schundler, and state legislators began just after the November gubernatorial election and is ongoing.

Over 100 individuals and organizations signed a December 15 letter in support of New Jersey's high quality early learning system. The letter was the brainchild of the Early Care and Education Coalition and the Build Initiative and was sent to then Governor-elect Christie.

When word of the letter reached other advocates and organizations, many more asked to sign on. Because the original letter had already been sent, the Association for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) composed a template letter that early childhood program supporters could customize and send to the governor. Our Children/Our Schools helped circulate the template, and member organizations participated in the campaign.

ACNJ has created another advocacy tool that can be used by parents and organizations to express support for early childhood initiatives. The toolkit available on the ACNJ website offers a series of template letters: for parents with children in Abbott preschools, for parents making use of wraparound services for children, for preschool providers and teachers in Abbott programs, for teachers and administrators in district preschool settings, and for those who want to express support for non-school childcare.

Toolkit letters are intended to be downloaded and customized with senders' personal stories, then sent to the governor, Mr. Schundler and/or legislators. Information on where to send letters can be accessed through links in the toolkit. The goal is to help Trenton lawmakers understand the immense value of quality early education and care for NJ families and children through the letter-writers' authentic stories about their own experiences.

ACNJ is also part of the New Jersey Council for Young Children, which was created by former Governor Corzine in his last executive order. The council is a requirement under the federal Head Start statute and is expected to receive $1.6 million to support its activities. Council members met for the first time on February 5; they are charged with assessing and making recommendations to strengthen the state's early learning and care systems for children from birth to age five. The council, which is chaired by Ellen Wolock, Director of the New Jersey Department of Education's Office of Preschool Education, must develop a plan to be submitted to the federal government by summer.

Finally, preschool advocates are investigating what other states around the country are doing to help parents, teachers and others advocate for early childhood programs with an eye to adopting some of those strategies in New Jersey.

Prepared: February 15, 2010