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A2.1 One way we can expand #EarlyEd in rural America is to offer multiple service delivery options for families. This means providing child care in centers, through #homevisiting programs, and through family child care. #EarlyEdChat

A2. To expand #EarlyEd programs and opportunities, families can advocate to their local, state and federal lawmakers to allocate funding. #EarlyEdChat

58% of kids in rural areas live in child care deserts- we need to invest in child care infrastructure to ensure they have access to high-quality early learning programs #EarlyEdChat https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/early-childhood/reports/2017/08/30/437988/mapping-americas-child-care-deserts/ …

Recent changes in federal policy--including ESSA--make it clear that progress in early education depends more than ever on the states. #EarlyEdChat

Also, for families in rural areas, Head Start is often the only option for affordable child care and other important services #EarlyEdChat https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/early-childhood/reports/2018/04/10/448741/a-compass-for-families/ …

A2.1 Families should know their voices count. #EarlyEdChat

A2: Focusing on increasing $ for CCDBG and Head Start, supporting the Child Care for Working Families Act & increasing state money for preK could ensure rural communities have the strong foundation they need. #EarlyEdChat

A2: Governments can increase the share of budgetary allocations for #EarlyEd through a variety of financial innovations. @Theirworld found that allocating 10% of nat’l education budgets to ECD programming dramatically expands access, improving outcomes for children. #EarlyEdChat