Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie County

Be a Voice for Children

Child Care Support Services is a member of the Early Care & Learning Council (ECLC) and Child Care Aware. Their organizations are leaders in state and national early care and education advocacy efforts, and through them we support their public policy efforts.

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is about caring for an issue deeply enough to stand up and say that something needs to be done about it. It is about using that knowledge to cause changes in the way things are. It is arguing in favor of something such as cause, idea or policy. It is speaking out on issues that you care about, offering your opinion and suggestion for how to improve something to the people who are in control.

Who is an Advocate?

An Advocate is someone who is intensely committed to seeing a particular change happen. It is someone who is willing to gain knowledge and develop an understanding about all it is, someone who it’s not hesitant about going public with that understanding.

Taking Action

Contact your local representatives. Your legislators like to hear from the people that they serve. Hearing your story helps them make decisions on future decisions!

Action Centers

Public Policy Messages and Agendas

Empire State Campaign for Child Care: State and Federal Advocacy
Child Care Aware: Child Care Aware’s Action Network
Early Care and Learning Council: NY State Child Care Public Policy and Advocacy efforts

Data and Research

Child Care Aware: State Fact Sheets
Regional Economic Development Council: Mohawk Valley
Opportunities for Otsego: 2017 Community Needs Assessment
Opportunities for Otsego: 2020 Community Needs Assessment Update

Tell your story!

Contact your representatives

Whether you are a parent of a toddler, a child care provider or a business owner with employees who need high-quality child care, your “real life” story demonstrates the important need of high quality child care.  Tell your representatives your story.

US Senate
US House of Representatives
NYS Assembly
NYS Senate