Lessons Learned from 2023

The Power of Coalition Work. MAC has learned that working in coalition and leveraging individual organizations’ strengths is essential to advancing policies to support the child care sector. MAC came together in advance of the legislative session to prioritize policy proposals and met weekly during the session to share information, gather feedback on policy negotiations, and assign outreach, communication, and policy strategies.

Personal Stories Matter. Personal stories from parents and providers affected by early childhood policies are very important in the policy process. There are barriers to engagement for parents and providers, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t interest. MAC recognized that it must meet people where they are and provide a menu of ways to engage. MAC set aside some resources to help support child care workers and providers to compensate for their time. MAC will continue to prioritize supporting families, providers, and workers in advocating. 

Child Care is an Economic Issue. There is a real interest by the business community to engage in child care policy, but it does take outreach work. MAC members successfully engaged individual businesses, local business associations, and partner organizations.