Betsy Carlin's role as an Advocate

•                     What motivated me to start advocating for very young children?

                To be honest I am not sure when I would say I became an advocate for young children, but I know my motivation was knowing that my actions could help an individual child, a program, families, my staff, the early childhood workforce, an early childhood system or all young children and families to be more able to thrive in their pursuits.

•                     Why is it essential to acknowledge and foster advocacy efforts at the micro as well as the macro level?

       

                Advocacy and speaking out for what you believe in is not always easy.  Many people equate it to conflict.  Fostering small, but important acts of advocacy, builds a person’s confidence and supports their effort.  Just like major policy change, becoming an advocate is a process that is developed over time.  Beyond that, macro advocacy or in other words major policy change, happens because of many micro efforts.  Large change can not happen in one step…. It takes many small steps to create major change.

•                     What does it take to be a community leader on early childhood issues?

                To be a community leader on early childhood issues you must be able to build relationships, relationships with the early childhood workforce, the families of young children, the media, and policy makers.  These relationships allow a leader to communicate across the community to build a common voice and support for policies that positively affect young children, their families and the field of early childhood.              

•                     What resources does it take to be a state leader on early childhood issues?

                To be a state leader on early childhood issues an advocate must be organized.  An advocate must have access to research and evidence to support their statements.  An advocate must have a network of like-minded leaders with whom to work.  An advocate must have a solid communication plan. A advocate must have policy makers who champion their issue.  And an advocate must have vision along with stamina.

•                     What tactics or strategies do I use to mobilize others?

                To mobilize others to advocate for young children, I use my passion, enthusiasm and facts.  I share stories of success and inequity.  I paint my picture of the future and the map to get there.  I provide them with small steps to get them started.

•                     What advice would I give to someone who was interested in taking a leadership role in advocating for young children and their families?

                Get to know the issues.  Find partners.  Take it slow.  Stick with it.  And enjoy the ride!