DC Action

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A just-published blog by Mathematica shares some exciting new data on the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund that demonstrates the value and possibilities of the program, even at the early stages of its implementation. In a study of federal employment data, Mathematica found that by the third quarter of 2023, Pay Equity Fund payments were associated with a seven percent increase in the number of early educators or more than their best estimate of teacher employment levels if the Fund did not exist.

DC Action Early Childhood Policy Director Ruqiyyah Abu-Anbar said in reacting to the blog, "These findings confirm that the Pay Equity Fund is achieving one of its goals: retaining the early childhood educators that are a critical part of families' villages, the learning and development of the young children in their care, and the workforce that makes all other work possible. In this context, it is astounding that Mayor Bowser proposed eliminating the program in her budget. The Council of the District of Columbia must restore and fully fund the Pay Equity Fund in FY 25. Read the blog: https://www.mathematica.org/blogs/washington-dcs-early-childhood-educator-pay-equity-fund-supports-workforce Under 3 DC

Findings Show Washington DC’s Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund Supports Workforce Washington, DC's Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund (PEF) has boosted the wages of over 4,000 educators. We find that the PEF increased the size of DC’s early educator workforce by 7% in its second year. These findings inform ongoing fiscal debates that will determine the PEF’s future.

We’re so proud of our family 💜

Slashing funding for child care is short-sighted & harmful. The PEF is DC’s promise to early childhood educators. We applaud Chairman Phil Mendelson and the for their dedication to righting this wrong and ensuring a more equitable future for all.
Read our statement on our website.

DC : a reminder of promises unfulfilled for Black Washingtonians. While strides have been made, economic freedom remains elusive. The battle to preserve the Pay Equity Fund symbolizes the ongoing fight for equity.

Today is ‘s Black Youth Agenda Town Hall from 5-7pm at the Thurgood Marshall Center! Listen to young leaders share their experiences and solutions to address social inequities. from the BSA candidate forum earlier this year!

350+ members of the coalition- comprised of educators, teachers, parents, & advocates showed up bright and early and rallied to in response to ’s budget threatening to eliminate the Pay Equity Fund. Cuts for educators and working families is NOT a move towards a thriving city! Thank you to for your support.

To everyone observing Ramadan, may this month bring you peace & blessings!

We teamed up with to talk to staffers & share the budget platform asks for FY25. Read more: bit.ly/SafetyIsPlatform

What a busy week! We had from testify before DHS to talk about their needs to

Last night at the Mayor’s budget forum members showed up to share that affordable & accessible is essential in the FY25 budget

We partnered with the DC LGBTQ+ Budget Coalition for a lobby day, talking to officials about how to ensure our most marginalized can access the resources they deserve!

We are proud of all the insights we heard from the 's Youth Summit last night ✨!

On this day, we remember Dr. King's tireless efforts to fight for civil rights and equality for all. Let us honor his legacy by promoting justice and equity for young people and their families in .

Merry Christmas! 🎄

❄️Winter is here, and the Grinch-like decisions of leaders cast a cold shadow on the city. Prioritizing arenas over residents during the holidays is a disappointing choice. It's time for Mayor Bowser to reconsider and put people first.

Today is World Children's Day 🌍!
Let's stand together to advocate and honor children's rights, including: a safe home🏡, food 🥗, health care🩺, & education 📚

Explore how the District fares in these aspects for children at dckidscount.org.

As DC Public Schools teachers prepare to head back into the classroom next week, many say they're concerned about an uptick in violence they saw last year.

The Washington Teachers' Union recently released survey results that show the violence teachers experienced and witnessed.

DC teachers worry about safety as first day of school approaches The Washington Teachers' Union surveyed teachers on their experience with violence and sent recommendations for change to DCPS.

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is our nation's second independence day, yet thousands of Black and families still face the negative impacts of our system's historical racial inequities, particularly in . We're proud of the work we do, but we're far from finished.

The Council of the District of Columbia could reduce District residents’ barriers to accessing SNAP by funding the legislation it passed a few months ago.

Read more: https://www.wearedcaction.org/blog/feds-are-undermining-food-safety-net-so-dc-should-give-snap-raise

Many have called this year's budget a . It's also a budget filled with broken promises. The DC Council can still keep its promises with the second FY24 Budget Vote.

Read more: https://www.wearedcaction.org/dc-council-can-still-keep-its-promises-second-fy24-budget-vote

Thank you to everyone who attended last night's Renaissance Awards Reception ✨. We were delighted to honor many inspiring advocates who work hard to make a better place for & .

To learn more about our honorees, read: https://www.wearedcaction.org/2023-honorees

To see more of the event, take a look at our Instagram story highlights!

Join us for a special night honoring the contributions of the youth, young adults, residents, and District leaders who are blazing new trails in advocacy.

You'll get to tour the Humanities Truck learn about our Youth Voices Youth Power project, and watch a performance by Imagination Stage!

There's still time to get your ticket: http://ow.ly/s9wu50Osqll

All parents deserve to go to work knowing their kids have a safe, nurturing place to go. Policymakers can ensure this is the case if they fund the workforce that supports the workforce.

If we believe that children are our future and want to be remain a leader in early childhood education it is imperative that we fund early childhood education today, tomorrow, and forever.