Broadcasts.com - "Funding and Advocacy for ECE, Across All 50 States with Cindy Lehnhoff" (Child Care Rockstar Radio)

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Funding and Advocacy for ECE, Across All 50 States with Cindy Lehnhoff

Published: June 8, 2023, 9 p.m.

Kris welcomes a special guest, Miss Cindy Lehnhoff, the director of the National Child Care Association. With over four decades of experience in the industry, including various roles within the learning care group, Cindy is passionate about strengthening and professionalizing the field. Cindy and Kris explore the world of advocacy and how to be our own best advocates. They discuss the importance of staying informed about policy changes and share insights on leveraging our political power as business owners or leaders. Cindy addresses misconceptions and fears around advocacy, debunking the notion that it requires an excessive time commitment, along with the vital role of engaging parents and teachers in this journey.

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Key Takeaways:

[10:48] Cindy\\u2019s background in child care and the path that got her into advocacy and the NCCA.

[14:40] Cindy is now the Director of the NCCA.

[16:49] Cindy and her high school sweetheart are still married and living in Florida, with three incredible adult children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren!

[18:40] Fun Fact: Cindy didn\\u2019t choose a career in child care \\u2014 it chose her!

[21:02] How early childhood professionals aren\\u2019t often comfortable with advocating for themselves, and why it\\u2019s important.

[22:34] Advice for people to build up confidence towards advocating for themselves using the three Cs: collaborate, connect, and communicate.

[30:50] The CHIPS Act, and how we can do better with funding and creating a better ecosystem for education.

[37:52] How do we engage more people in our communities?

[39:20] What types of things does the National Child Care Association provide for its members?

[45:38] There\\u2019s no industry more essential than child care if we want to get America back to work fully.\\xa0

[50:52] Options for accreditation, including NECPA.

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Quotes:

\\u201cWe want our providers to be able to thrive so they can do their best work for families.\\u201d \\u2014 Cindy [16:15]
\\u201cI never really pursued a career in early care and education. It pursued me.\\u201d \\u2014 Cindy [18:28]\\xa0
\\u201cFor the most part, early childhood professionals, they simply just don\\u2019t get involved in advocating for themselves.\\u201d \\u2014 Cindy [20:57]
\\u201cWe actually say there\'s three C\\u2019s in, in advocacy, and it\\u2019s to collaborate, connect and communicate.\\u201d \\u2014 [Cindy 25:23]
\\u201cThere\\u2019s no industry more essential than childcare if we want to get America back to work fully.\\u201d \\u2014 Kris [45:57]

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