Running head: LP5 ADVOCACY SUMMARY & PROJECT

LP5 Advocacy Summary & Project

Katy DeBroux
Family & Community Relationships

Instructor: Julie Baumann

LP5 ADVOCACY SUMMARY & PROJECT

LP5 Advocacy Summary & Project

Advocacy is a person or an organization who has a voice for someone or a community

that does not have the ability to speak for themselves. One organization that advocates for
families and children is The Wisconsin Council on Children and Families.
The Wisconsin Council on Children and Families of Wisconsin (WCCF) provides
research, education, and policy analysis to improve the end-result for children. These outcomes
involve health, economic security, safety and education.
The WCCF has 10 members on staff and work under a state board of directors whom
include school representatives, businesses, social services, health care, the faith community and
the judiciary.
As an educator, I strongly agree with this organizations goals. They are a non-profit,
non-partisan organization and therefore, truly have children and families in their best interest.
One project the WCCF is currently working on is Early Education. The Wisconsin Early
Learning Coalition works to make high quality early care and education a priority for
Wisconsin's children. With that said, the WCCF is a supporter of the Youngstar program.
Youngstar is a program of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families that
evaluates and rates the quality of care given by childcare providers. In addition, Youngstar gives
providers the tools and training needed to provide high quality childcare. Therefore, it is
extremely important to WCCF that the Youngstar program continue to be supported and
strengthened.

LP5 ADVOCACY SUMMARY & PROJECT

As a firm believer in quality education and early learning environments, I also support
the Youngstar program. Consequently, I will work to support Youngstar by becoming a member
of the Wisconsin Early Learning Coalition.

LP5 ADVOCACY SUMMARY & PROJECT

Project

The purpose of this activity is to help advocate for children and quality early learning
programs. The first step I must take is to join the campaign. The actual campaign name is Great
Start. To sign up, I will go to the following link:
http://statevoices.salsalabs.com/o/81/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=59
67. The membership is free and just requires a name and email address. Once a member, I have
access to ways I can help advocate. I would like to voice my opinion to my state representatives.
The following page within Great Start provides access to a pre-completed letter I can send to
representatives to voice my concerns: http://hqstatevoices.salsalabs.com/o/81/p/dia/action/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=556 The letter is sent
directly to Representative Gary Hebl and Senator Mark Miller and reads:
"Please adjust the Governor's budget proposal to prevent a loss of $35 million in funding
for child care. These funds are needed to strengthen the success of YoungStar and
Wisconsin Shares.
We support:
1. A significant increase in the payment rates for Wisconsin Shares after seven years of
frozen rates and end the policy of docking providers for child absence and illness.
2. Restore the YoungStar tiered reimbursement schedule approved by the Joint Finance
Committee in December 2010. This would help programs improve quality by rewarding
advancement as opposed to the current system of punitive payment cuts.
3. Invest more in YoungStar to help programs improve, including funding for
scholarships, micro-grants, and technical assistance.
Investing in quality early education for disadvantaged young children yields a
remarkable return on investment."
In addition to sending this letter, I can inform my colleges of my position regarding early
learning and send them the links so they can get involved.

Scoring Guide Criteria

Self-Score

Summary includes an overview of what the organization is and

who its members or supporters are

Instructor
Score
3

LP5 ADVOCACY SUMMARY & PROJECT

Summary includes a description of the purpose and goals of the

organization
Summary includes a description of the main activities of the
organization
Summary includes a conclusion with your reactions and opinion of
the organization, and a description of your personal view of what it
means to be an advocate
Advocacy project includes an appropriate explanation of the
purpose of the activity
Advocacy project includes appropriate steps to take to complete it

Advocacy project includes who you will enlist in the activity

Advocacy project includes who your target audience is

Advocacy project includes appropriate goal

Paper is neat and well organized, and applies standard rules of

language structure including grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Scoring guide and self-assessment is included with submission of
assessment. (Copy and paste this scoring guide or save it and
type in this document. Highlight, bold, or type in the number you
think you have earned in the next column).
Document is saved with the students name as indicated in syllabus
and correctly submitted to the grade book through the learning
plan.
Assessment was submitted on time. Additional points may be
deducted for late work as indicated in the syllabus.
Extra credit reflection on carrying out advocacy project
Total Points and Comments if necessary:

No 0 Yes 1 2

No 0 Yes 1 2

No 0 Yes 1 2

No 0 Yes 1 2

No 0 Yes 1 2

No 0 Yes 1 2

No 0 Yes 1 2

No 0 Yes 1 2

10 points
__30______/44

________/44