DCAEYC at NAEYC’s 2026 Public Policy Forum: Strengthening Our Advocacy for Early Childhood

DCAEYC was proud to participate in NAEYC’s Public Policy Forum this week in Washington, DC, alongside early childhood leaders and advocates from across the country. Being in a space dedicated to policy, collaboration, and action was a powerful reminder that our work in the District is connected to a broader national movement to strengthen early learning systems and protect what children, families, and early childhood care professionals need to thrive.

Our Executive Director, Berna Artis, represented DCAEYC as a panelist and helped elevate a critical priority for DC: protecting and sustaining the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund. The discussion was direct, solutions focused, and grounded in what it takes to compensate early childhood care professionals as the professionals they are. It was also an important opportunity to ensure that DC’s perspective, progress, and ongoing challenges remain part of the national conversation.

DCAEYC members were present throughout the Forum as well, contributing to meaningful conversations about stable investments in child care and early learning, the workforce realities programs are facing, and the policy decisions that shape access and quality for families. We left with stronger relationships, clearer priorities, and renewed momentum to keep advancing pay equity and system level solutions here at home.

We are grateful to everyone who represented DCAEYC this week and to the many leaders who continue to move this work forward with persistence, clarity, and shared purpose.