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Public Policy Priorities

Options for Learning is committed to advocating at local, state, and national levels so that all children and families in our service area — especially those who have historically been disenfranchised and under-resourced — have access to a mixed-delivery system of early care and education (ECE) and school-age programs that meet the needs of the whole child and family and uphold the values of all child development professionals.
 
We are fortunate to have an internal team, Advocates in Motion (AIM), that promotes our organization's legislative priorities. Comprising 15 dedicated and passionate staff, AIM does not lobby but rather raises awareness and educates legislators and the community about issues and bills that impact the child care field. Learn more about AIM.
We have some exciting news on several historic wins for children, families, and child care professionals during this budget season. We celebrate these victories and thank everyone for their advocacy efforts! In response to our collective calls to action, much of what we advocated for will be included in the budget. To learn more, view our 2023-24 state budget overview below.
Recap of AIM activities: 
October through December 2022 
  • Meeting with Speaker Anthony Rendon 
  • Meeting with Asm. Mike Fong 
  • Asm. Chris Holden Holiday Shoe Drive Event 
  • Asm. Mike Fong Holiday Event and Toy Drive
January through March 2023 
  • Meeting with Asm. Blanca E. Rubio’s appointed staff Taylor Valmores 
  • Sen. Portantino Holiday Event and Book Drive 
  • Meeting with Asm. Chris Holden and appointed staff Catherine Charles 
  • Meeting with Asm. Blanca Pacheco's appointed staff Kierra Paul 
  • Meeting with Asm. Juan Carrillo 
  • Meeting with Asm. Blanca Pacheco's appointed staff Fabiana Flores 
  • Meeting with Asm. Blanca E. Rubio's appointed staff Wendy Saavedra, Alexa Sanchez, and Denaee Amaya 
  • AIM virtual Read Across America events
  • Attended Duarte Chamber of Commerce San Gabriel Valley Women’s Summit 
  • Meeting with Congresswoman Norma Torres' appointed staff Sophia Siqueiros
  • Attended EveryChild CA Sub. 2 Budget Hearing, ECE Coalition Advocacy Day in Sacramento 
  • Meeting with Sen. Anthony Portantino’s appointed staff Katherine Squire
  • Attended Head Start Advocacy Day in Sacramento 
  • Meeting with Sen. Susan Rubio's appointed staff Paulina Rodriguez   
  • Meeting with Congresswoman Judy’s Chu's appointed staff Maile Plan
  • Meeting with Asm. Pilar Schiavo's appointed staff Miriam Farouk
  • Meeting with Asm. Josh Lowenthal's appointed staff Jessica Sam
  • Meeting with Congresswoman Linda Sanchez 
April through June 2023 
  • Meeting with Sen. Bob Archuleta 
  • Meeting with Asm. Mike Fong's appointed staff Sophia Kwong Kim 
  • Attended Child Care Alliance Advocacy Day in Sacramento 
  • Meeting with Sen. Scott Wilk's Fellow Bryce Pamer 
  • Meeting with Sen. Anthony Portantino's Fellow Katherine Squire 
  • Meeting with Asm. Freddie Rodriguez's Legislative Aide Byron Briones 
  • Meeting with Sen. Caroline Menjivar's Policy Analyst Kimberly Fuentes 
  • Meeting with  Asm. Wendy Carrillo's Legislative Aide Timothy Knox 
  • Meeting with Asm. Blanca E. Rubio's Legislative Director Daniel Folwarkow
  • Attended ECE Voices Advocacy Day in Sacramento 
July through September 2023 
  • Attended Asm. Mike Fong's Community Coffee Event 
  • Attended and hosted a resource table at Asm. Chris Holden’s Block Party 
  • Attended the National Head Start Association's Fall Leadership Institute and Advocacy Day 
  • Meeting with Congresswoman Grace Napolitano’s Deputy of Staff Jerry O’Donnell in Washington D.C.  
  • Meeting with Congresswoman Linda Sanchez appointed staff Rachel Chasalow in Washington D.C. 
October through December 2023  
  • Attended and donated toys at Sen. Susan Rubio’s Holiday Reception and Toy Drive 
  • Attended ECE Thrive LA in Los Angeles  
  • Attended and donated shoes at Asm. Chris Holden’s Holiday Open House and Shoe Drive 
  • Donated toys to Asm. Lisa Calderon’s Holiday Toy Drive 
For questions or additional information about AIM, please contact Zinnia Voong, external affairs manager and AIM coordinator, at 626-433-8516.