We are delighted to launch our “First Years Tour.”

It’s an event that Strategies for Children does every two years, going to the State House and meeting with the new class of newly elected, first year, state legislators. We congratulate them on becoming state leaders, and we run an early education 101 crash course.

This year, as it is every year, our goal is to build positive relationships with our elected officials.

But, of course, this year, there’s the pandemic, so our tour is actually an ongoing series of Zoom meetings. Last month, to kick off the tour, Strategies’ staff and Representative Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley) co-hosted a legislative briefing for all 17 newly elected House members.

We’ve also invited the legislators to our daily 9:30 calls. And we’re asking everyone in the field to do their own outreach to these new lawmakers.

On the tour, we’re sharing information on the pandemic:

On the salary gap:

And on challenges and solutions:

To “join” us on the tour, read more about the new class on MassLive.com. The article has brief bios and links to their websites.

Then go to the Secretary of State’s website and enter your address to see if you are represented by any members of the new class. If you are, please reach out and say hello and congratulations. And get to know your representatives’ staff people.

Tell everyone in the Legislature that you speak to your story whether you are an early educator, parent, or advocate. Offer to be a resource and ask them to, Stay tuned for more advocacy updates in the weeks ahead, as Massachusetts works on its new budget for fiscal year ’22.

Here’s a list of the new class. The incoming state Senators are:

John Cronin, D-Lunenburg

Adam Gomez, D-Springfield

The incoming state Representatives are:

Rob Consalvo, D-Boston

Kip Diggs, D-Barnstable

Patricia A. Duffy, D-Holyoke

Jessica Giannino, D-Revere

Vann Howard D-Lowell

Sally Kerans, D-Danvers

Meghan Kilcoyne, D-Northborough

Michael Kushmerek, D-Fitchburg

Brandy Fluker Oakley, D-Boston

Jake Oliveira, D-Ludlow

Steven Owens, D-Watertown

Kelly Pease, R-Westfield

Ted Philips, D-Sharon

Orlando Ramos, D-Springfield

Adam Scanlon, D-North Attleborough

Erika Uyterhoeven, D-Somerville

Steven Ziarhos, R-Barnstable

Your voice can help these “first years” become more effective leaders for young children and families.