July 31, 2025 Applications Open for Trying Together’s 2026 ECE Advocacy Fellowship Trying Together’s 2026 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Advocacy Fellowship aims to elevate the voices of early care and education professionals, parents, researchers, and other key contributors to the early learning ecosystem that are catalysts for meaningful change. Trying Together envisions a future in which caregivers feel valued and empowered to promote diversity, equity, racial justice, and a sense of belonging. We recognize the critical role of early childhood in shaping lifelong success and are committed to advocating for inclusive, high-quality learning experiences while addressing systemic inequities. The 2026 Early Childhood Education Advocacy Fellowship invites passionate individuals from across the field to apply and become strong advocates for investing in young children. Applications are open online and will be accepted until Wednesday, October 1 at 11:59 p.m. Apply now. About the Fellowship The 2026 Early Childhood Education Advocacy Fellowship is a 12-month program designed to empower participants through the following core components: Strengthening Advocacy Skills: Build the ability to advocate effectively for policies that support early care and education. Fellows will explore policy systems, practice storytelling, and engage in hands-on activities to grow their advocacy confidence. Cultivating Change-Makers: Grow as leaders and advocates within the early childhood field. Through reflection and peer collaboration, fellows will identify their leadership styles and explore their role in driving systemic change. Enhancing Leadership: Develop essential leadership skills to create lasting, positive impact. Sessions will focus on communication, decision-making, and community engagement. Mastering Communication: Learn strategies to craft compelling, equity-centered messages that resonate with diverse audiences and drive policy influence. Applying and Showcasing Learning: Complete a final project that reflects your advocacy journey and outlines your future impact. Projects will be shared in a public, interactive setting with organizational leaders and community partners. Fellows and their employer will receive a stipend for their dedicated time. The program is offered at no cost to fellows or their places of employment. Dinner is provided during each session, and travel stipends are available on a case-by-case basis. Intended Audience Trying Together’s 2026 Early Childhood Education Advocacy Fellowship is designed for professionals actively engaged in the early care and education field, including but not limited to: Parents Relative care providers Family child care home Group child care home Child care program administrators and educators – such as Head Start teachers, infant/toddler educators, pre-k educators, etc. PK-4 teachers and principals Home visitors School-age child care providers Trainers Professors in higher education Child care resource and referral professionals Researchers Session Details The Early Childhood Advocacy Fellowship is an immersive, yearlong program from January to December, featuring monthly in-person meetings supported by small group and individual work between sessions. Each session is led by the Trying Together Policy team, with support from influential voices in early childhood, public policy professionals, and community leaders. These sessions draw on insights from regional, state, and national experts. They focus on the latest research, policy updates, and strategic approaches to advancing early childhood, while helping fellows strengthen their advocacy skills, expand their networks, and position themselves within the early learning system. Beyond learning, the fellowship offers valuable opportunities for networking, professional growth, and community building. Fellows also have the chance to travel to Harrisburg to visit the Pennsylvania Capitol Building and meet with legislators. The program culminates in a final project that showcases each fellow’s advocacy journey and vision for future impact. Application Details Online applications are being accepted through Saturday, Nov. 1 at 11:59 p.m. Our selection committee aims to create a well-balanced cohort, considering factors such as geography, diversity, experience, and interests. Notifications to all participants will be sent during the first week of December. More Information For more information about the 2026 ECE Advocacy Fellowship at Trying Together, contact Hailee B. Roye by email at hailee@tryingtogether.org or by calling 412-692-0573.
December 10, 2024 Trying Together Community Honors Advocacy Fellows The Trying Together community recently held an event to honor the 22 fellows who completed their 11-month journey of advocacy, creativity, and dedication through the Early Childhood Education Advocacy Fellowship. A total of 77 attendees gathered to celebrate the fellows’ accomplishments and reflect on their work. The fellows showcase projects that addressed early intervention, staffing recruitment, child care advocacy, mental health support, and more. The fellows demonstrated their creativity and commitment to driving change through posters, brochures, and PSA videos they created. They also shared their next steps in advocacy, highlighting how their passion and hard work will continue to make an impact beyond the fellowship. “A huge ‘thank you’ to our fellows for their unwavering dedication and to everyone who made this night so memorable,” said Hailee B. Roye, Trying Together’s policy and practice manager. “Your efforts have shown the power of advocacy and the importance of building a brighter future for children, families, and educators.” About the Fellowship The Early Childhood Education Advocacy Fellowship is committed to equipping early childhood professionals, parents, families, and caregivers of young children with the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively advocate for policies that enhance the quality and accessibility of early care and education.
June 27, 2024 Trying Together Meets With State Legislators on Importance of Early Care and Education On June 25, advocates from the Early Childhood Education Advocacy Fellowship visited the capitol to share their stories with 20 legislators. Representing parents, providers, and community members, they emphasized the importance of Early Care and Education in policy discussions. Learn More Trying Together’s key campaign asks included: Increasing child care subsidy rates to the 75th percentile to help providers with rising costs Investing $284 million in state funding to recruit and retain child care teachers through wage increases, bonuses, and benefits Supporting a $30 million investment in Pre-K Counts and $8.8 million for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program to address workforce challenges Backing the proposed $16.6 million increase for the Early Intervention program to serve 3,000 more children and address key sector issues The visit ensured that these critical issues were highlighted during the last week of budget negotiations.
