Kid Governor helps advocate for early childhood learning programs


It was a press conference worthy of the highest-ranking public official. The media-laden affair included cameras, microphones, reporters and recording devices.
And a few color crayons.
When 5-year-old Sultan resident Sabella Johnson made her debut as Kid Governor last week, there was definitely excitement in the air. The event, which was orchestrated by the Early Learning Action Alliance, took place on Monday, Dec. 15, at the Refugee and Immigrant Family Center located in West Seattle.
The idea was to make an impact by having Kid Gov. Sabella share with Gov. Jay Inslee and the Washington State Legislators would she would do if she were in charge of the budget.
The message they were trying to impart? "Boost our kids and our economy by investing in high quality, affordable early learning opportunities for all kids.GÇ¥
Sabella's mom, Julianna, helped her develop a statement that was released to the media prior to the event.


"If I were Governor, I would make sure that all my friends and I got a great start in life and in our education with quality early learning,GÇ¥ said 5-year-old Sabella, with the assistance of her mom. "When I was three, I loved playing with blocks at my preschool. I didn't care then if it built my motor skills or developed my brain. Now that I'm grown, I know that those quality early learning opportunities made me what I am today, a successful kindergartener.GÇ¥
During the event, Sabella engaged with the media like a professional. She sang them her ABCs, talked about how she liked to earn badges in Girl Scouts, and let them know that her favorite color is pink. When they asked her what she would do if she was the governor, Sabella answered glibly, "Have fun!GÇ¥
One of the journalists pressed her further, "What's fun to you?GÇ¥
"Dancing,GÇ¥ said Sabella.
Sabella's mom, Julianna, is the one who recommended Sabella for appointment to the Kid Governor position. Julianna, who served as one of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP (WSA) parent ambassadors during 2014, now sits on the WSA Board of Directors.
Julianna was eager to become an advocate for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, otherwise known as ECEAP, because of her own positive experiences with the program.
ECEAP is a state-funded preschool program for low-income families. In addition to providing a comprehensive learning environment for kids, the free program provides extensive family support services. Sabella was able to work through her issues with separation anxiety while attending the Sky Valley ECEAP, located in Sultan. Sky Valley ECEAP also helped Julianna obtain speech therapy for Sabella.
Currently, Sabella attends kindergarten at Sultan Elementary School and is flourishing as a student.
"Sabella enjoys school and making new friends. She displays curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. She likes to help others and be the leader,GÇ¥ said Sultan Elementary School Counselor Dr. Patricia Hays. "She is not shy about standing up for herself and what she believes in. Sabella is a hard worker and sets goals for herself, which will result in future success.GÇ¥
Another program that Julianna is working to enhance is Washington State's Working Connections Childcare program, through which low-income families are eligible to receive state-subsidized childcare. Julianna testified twice in 2014 before Washington State Legislative committees, sharing her experiences navigating the deficiencies in the current policy and advocating for revision.
She was also given the opportunity to chat with legislative staff in Washington, D.C., during a WSA trip this fall.
Last week's press conference event was meant to advocate for numerous different aspects of early learning policy including Working Connections; ECEAP; the Early Achievers quality rating and improvement system; increased compensation for early learning teachers; dual-language programming; infant and early childhood mental health and more.
The Early Learning Action Alliance is a "dynamic, growing coalition of organizations representing a diverse array of Washington nonprofits, professional associations, businesses and industries.GÇ¥ The group is dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for children in their first five years of life.
WSA Executive Director Joel Ryan helped to facilitate Sabella's press conference. His daughter, Shoshanna, served as Kid Journalist during the event. Joel elaborated further on Sabella's early education budget proposal.
"Our budget proposal is broad-based,GÇ¥ said Joel. "We're hoping for an expansion of our state-funded ECEAP program, childcare and home visiting programs, among others.GÇ¥
"Kid Governor has several Democrats and Republicans in her administration, which is terrific,GÇ¥ he continued. "As you know, early learning is a bipartisan issue.GÇ¥
Joel said that, for every dollar that is invested in early childhood education, a return can be expected of up to $7 in savings from a reduction in the costs associated with welfare, special education and grade repetition, as well as a reduction in the costs associated with incarceration.
Additionally, Joel stressed the importance of discovering a new source of revenue to help fund early childhood education.
"We don't want to see investments in early learning at the expense of other human services, like health care and food assistance and housing,GÇ¥ said Joel.
Gov. Jay Inslee unveiled the 2015 GÇô 2017 budget proposal on Thursday, Dec. 18. The budget includes a $2.3 billion education plan, with the largest-ever investment in childhood early learning. The budget will be considered by the Washington State Legislature when the session convenes in January, in Olympia.
For more information on WSA Head Start and ECEAP, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/wsaheadstart/timeline or http://www.wsaheadstarteceap.com/. For more information on the Early Learning Action Alliance, please visit: http://www.childrensalliance.org/our-current-work/early-learning-now/early-learning-action-alliance.
 
 

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