It’s been a busy year for CCRC’s government relations department. From our first Legislative Breakfast in San Bernardino to Board of Directors Day at the Capitol, a lot’s happened in 2016. And there’s no slowing down now. The New Year’s going to start off with the release of the Governor’s 2017/18 Proposed Budget in early January.

Here are the highlights from 2016:

January We hosted our first Legislative Breakfast in San Bernardino County in partnership with First 5 San Bernardino at the California State University San Bernardino Campus. Speakers included State Senator Connie Leyva

February CCRC’s Director of Government Relations spoke at on a panel at the California Budget and Policy Center Annual Conference on the implications of proposed changes in the early learning system and the need for reimbursement rate increases.

March We held our 25th Annual Legislative Breakfast at CSUN. In addition to looking at the challenges facing the child care and early learning sector based on the increasing minimum wage, we were also thrilled to recognize State Senator Carol Liu for her many years in the California Legislature as an advocate for lifelong learning.

CCRC leadership traveled to Washington DC to attend the Child Care Aware of America Policy Symposium and to meet with our Congressional Delegation to provide updates on child care and early learning services in their districts.

April CCRC’s Director of Government Relations worked in collaboration with child care and early learning stakeholders around California to develop a unified voice for child care in concert with the California Legislative Women’s Caucus request to make major investments in the Early Learning System focused on Reimbursement Rates.

May CCRC held Board of Directors Day at the Capitol. This May, CCRC Board members met with seven elected officials and delivered key budget priority information related to investments in child care.

In June, CCRC’s CEO and President, Dr. Michael Olenick, advocated on behalf of parents to help them become self-sufficient — before losing their child care subsidy benefit. CCRC advocated for an increase to the maximum allowable income to 75% or more of the 2015 state median income of $70,231.

In July-August CCRC encouraged everyone to help shape their community by registering to vote and casting a ballot in local, state, and national elections — and finding out where candidates stand on the critically important early care and educational programs.

In September, CCRC covered three important child care bills that passed the Senate floor this year: AB2231 Calderon, AB2036 Lopez, and AB1712 Olbernolte.

CCRC helped parents and providers understand election issues. In October, CCRC reminded voters to do their homework and take time to learn the issues before making critical decisions in the 2016 election.

In November CCRC shared information on the 2017-18 legislative session. As in every year, the Legislature will begin their bulk of their work after the first of the year. CCRC explained that each member will introduce a package of legislative proposals, which will undoubtedly include issues important to California children and families.