"I was incredibly impressed with the people I met and the advocacy they were doing. I wanted to be a part of it!” recalls Carol Von Brandt, who joined the California Child Development Corps by attending last year’s retreat. Six months later, she’s speaking out on key issues—including the importance of CARES funding and an upcoming ballot measure that would cut First 5 funds.

First 5 at risk

The Corps is campaigning against Prop. 1D, a measure on the May ballot that would use First 5 funds to pay for programs now funded by the state (see below). “First 5 has really stepped up to every plate that concerns young children—and is one of the only funding streams for early childhood workforce development,” says Sara Hicks-Kilday, staff support to the Corps. “I received a (First 5) grant for a literacy center,” adds Von Brandt. “We’ve taken pictures of that literacy center and have been getting the word out to parents and others that this is a great program.”

CARES improves quality

“Quality through education is my number one issue,” Von Brandt says. “The more education you have, the better the quality, and the better the pay and benefits.” CARES stipends—funded mostly by First 5—help Von Brandt improve her program, she says. “(In previous years) I spent (the money) on a gathering drum and percussion instruments, literacy (materials), a climbing structure outside.”

Without CARES, most other providers would no longer be able to pay for professional development classes, she adds.

Learning more—and reaching out

Before joining the Corps, “I was very limited in my knowledge of public policy,” says Von Brandt, a long-time Shasta County family child care provider. “I have become so much more aware of what’s going on in the legislature. It has been a great opportunity to get more educated.”

“I’ve been talking about the Corps at college classes, family child care provider association meetings, and the local planning council,” she adds. She also wrote about the Corps in her association newsletter. “I attached the Corps flier and mailed it to 300 people.”

The Corps endorses a NO vote on Prop. 1D!

• Find out what 1D would really do!
  www.NoOnProposition1D.com
  
  Prop. 1D would take $268 million every year from First 5 Commissions—up to 65% to 70% of funds—including funding for teacher and provider training. Keep the few dollars California invests in early childhood teacher workforce development!
  
  
• Register to vote! Make sure you, colleagues, parents, and others register by May 4. This election will be decided by a small number of voters.
  
  
• For voter information, go to:
  www.sos.ca.gov/elections
  (For Children’s Advocate election coverage, see http://www.4children.org/issues/2009/may_june/)
  
  

For more information, contact:

• Alameda:  Marva Lyons, 510-521-3997
  and Margaret Costello-Chevis, 510-226-9414
  
  
• Butte: Jennifer Ferrini, 530-893-2443
  
  
• Contra Costa: Donna Daly, 925-833-0834
  
  
• Humboldt: Danielle Koren, 707-443-2497
  
  
• Los Angeles: Catherine Scott, 562-572-9939
  
  
• Riverside: Tamara Dobson, 951-340-3186
  
  
• San Diego: Katy Kenshur, 760-436-3725
  
  
• San Francisco: Valentina Feldman, 415-861-5361
  
  
• San Joaquin: Bettina Engleman, 209-601-9467
  
  
• San Mateo: Silvia Espinoza, 650-359-4675
  
  
• Santa Barbara: Christine Fleenor, 805-937-0675
  
  
• Shasta: Carol VonBrandt, 530-365-1931
  
  
• Solano: June Regis, 707-439-0876
  
  

If your county is not listed above, contact Sara Hicks-Kilday at cares@caccwrc.org, 415-808-4393. For Spanish, contact Teresa Calle-Streicker, 415-821-7871.