As part of our mission to cultivate child, family and community well-being, Child Care Resource Center recognizes the importance of creating equitable and supportive education and care environments for children of all races, especially historically marginalized minority groups. That’s why we’re proud to announce CCRC Government Relations Manager Patrick MacFarlane has been selected for The National Black Child Development Institute Policy Fellowship Program.
“I am honored to be invited to the NBCDI Policy Fellowship,” Patrick says. “My passion for early childhood policy comes from recognizing the opportunity we have to shape a better future for our children by addressing systemic inequities. I’m thrilled to strengthen my policy leadership and advocacy alongside colleagues from across the country and to bring lessons from elsewhere to our policy work in Southern California.”
The two-year program aims to elevate and accelerate Black leaders to ensure leadership at the national level more closely reflects the young children being served in education, health and social service systems. NBCDI Policy Fellows will develop new approaches to policies and reform systems in an effort to help Black children realize their full potential. As a Policy Fellow, Patrick will join NBCDI’s national network and call to action to advance equity for Black children and families through education and advocacy work.
“NBCDI’s commitment to equity in education and to supporting the health and wellbeing of Black children and families is the impetus for this Policy Fellowship,” the organization shared.
At CCRC, Patrick leads early education and child care advocacy in Los Angeles County. He began working at the agency in April 2019 and was in 2019 appointed by the California State Senate to the Early Childhood Policy Council Parent Advisory Committee, where he provided input on the California Master Plan for Early Learning and Care. He also serves on the Los Angeles County Child Care Planning Committee.
“I believe this experience will help provide me the tools to be a stronger advocate and I look forward to working with the NBCDI staff and this cohort of national leaders,” Patrick says.
