Smart Start Advocacy, How to Get Involved
You have a key role to play in supporting Smart Start and in helping to make North Carolina the best place to be and raise a child. As a parent, child care provider, early care and education specialist or as a concerned citizen, your voice goes a long way with policy makers both in your home town and in Raleigh!
Being an advocate for children is engaging, educational and fun! And, it’s a great way to become involved in our great democratic process. The staff at the The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., and those at your local Smart Start partnership are ready to help make your voice heard.
Below you will find a variety of proven, effective, time-limited ways for you to make a difference.
Write a letter, make a phone call, send an email.
There is no substitute for your voice and no other can take its place.
The first step to communicating directly with a legislator is to know their contact information. Click on the following link and follow the simple instructions to find the contact information for your state or federal representatives: http://capwiz.com/cwncc/state/main/?state=NC
If you are sending an email you can do so directly from the Covenant web site. Click on the following link for some examples of short email messages you can send. Link to sample email messages.
> View a sample letter or sample post cards if you want to write to your legislators. |
> If you are making a phone call, or want other strategies to reach your legislator. |
Getting Involved — In Person
There are a number of ways you can meet public officials in person: either in your own community or in Raleigh. Smart Start staff are ready to help you get directly involved.
Tuesdays for Tots
“Tuesdays for Tots” is how we help you meet legislators during General Assembly sessions in Raleigh. Each Tuesday during the legislative session local partnerships come to Raleigh to educate lawmakers on Smart Start and to discuss important issues relating to young children and their families. More Information . . .
Become an E-Advocate for Children
During any legislative session there are key times when votes of critical importance to Smart Start and young children are made. At such times it is often important for legislators to hear from advocates before they cast their vote.
As an “e-advocate” for children, you will receive alerts and other time-sensitive information asking you to send an email or make a phone call at a crucial time in the legislative process. Click on this link to sign up to be an e-advocate for children (make sure "Smart Start Advocacy e-Alerts" is checked, plus any other e-newsletters you wish to receive, on the signup page.)
Tuesdays at Home
“Tuesdays at Home” is how we help you reach out to public officials in your community. Your local Smart Start partnership has events scheduled throughout the year that provide an opportunity for you to meet face to face with policy makers. Contact your local partnership for information on events they are holding in your community by clicking here.
Tuesdays at Home is how we build support in local communities prior to the legislative session each year.