We are excited to announce that we are accepting applications for Cohort 6 of Strategies for Children’s Advocacy Network for Early Childhood.
The Advocacy Network is a year-long immersive experience that creates a cohort of advocates by including people from all regions of the state. Participants in the program will get to build their skills, knowledge, advocacy expertise, and peer networks. The program’s goal is to develop strong advocates whose work benefits young children and families. Cohort 6 will run from October 2026 to August 2027.
To learn more, read our flyer and our meeting schedule and expectations. You can also join one of our online info sessions on Tuesday, July 21st – click a session time to RSVP for a session at 1:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.
When you’re ready, apply here. And share this application opportunity with your professional networks.
Currently, members of the Advocacy Network, as well as program alumni, bring their unique perspective to local and state policy discussions in ways that advance meaningful systems change for early childhood in Massachusetts.
Once they join the program, Advocacy Network members are expected to dedicate an average of 10 hours per month. This includes attending meetings, engaging in activities, developing independent advocacy projects, making guest appearances on The 9:30 Call, being interviewed for the Eye on Early Childhood blog, and other professional development opportunities.
Participants will receive stipends for their time.
Funding for the Advocacy Network is generously provided by Boston Children’s Collaboration for Community Health.
To learn more about the Advocacy Network, check out the experiences of Cohort 5 on our blog. You can also hear from them directly by watching recordings of their appearances on The 9:30 Call.
Together, our Cohort 5 advocates have been building connections across Massachusetts to grow their professional networks. They have also had the opportunity to learn, practice, and develop stronger advocacy skills and support each other along the way. They are using this experience to connect with legislators, dig deeper into policy, and push themselves to use their voices to share their stories.
Individually, these advocates are finding opportunities for change through their projects, which include prioritizing support for language access, engaging communities in trauma-informed instruction, teaching others how to advocate, emphasizing relational care, highlighting the importance of learning through play, supporting families of children with special needs, bringing art into communities, supporting people experiencing homelessness, and collecting data to inform and strengthen their efforts.
You can hear directly from these advocates by joining us Tuesday, August 11th, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for our annual, virtual Reception for Reflection to honor and celebrate the Advocacy Network’s 5th Cohort. Everyone is welcome. Please register here.
And, once again, if the Advocacy Network sounds interesting to you, apply today!