Participants complete a project at the end of each training course, such as giving testimony at a public hearing, planning and implementing a meeting, or writing an editorial. The second leadership training course, Building Parent Leadership in Quality Programs, trains teams of parents to be proactive and involved in the early care and education programs their children attend. The teams are responsible for designing a parent leadership plan for their child s program. PUCC not only teaches leadership, but gives parents many opportunities to use their new skills. Through the ACE Campaign, large groups of parents have been mobilized to advocate for increased funding for affordable child care in Boston.
Parents lobby state representatives by testimony at public hearings, phone calls, and post cards.
Recently, PUCC partnered with the Center for Survey Research at the University of Massachusetts to conduct a statewide survey on child care utilization patterns, barriers, and needs. The data collected will shape continued advocacy efforts for affordable child care and will lend parents advocacy efforts increased credibility. Change happens school by school, driven by parent voices. Foundation funds come from the Wallace Reader s Digest Fund, the Carnegie Corporation, the Thyde Foundation, the Shot Foundation, and others. Results PUCC has built an organized and effective constituency of parents who are succeeding in increasing attention to and resources for child care in Boston and other communities in Massachusetts.