DCAEYC Returns to the Wilson Building as the Conversation Turns to Sustaining Early Childhood Investments

Earlier this year, DCAEYC stood alongside early childhood education professionals, families, partners, and advocates throughout the FY27 budget process, working to protect critical investments in DC’s early childhood education system.

This month, that work brought us back to the John A. Wilson Building. Represented by our Executive Director, Berna Artis, DCAEYC joined parents, partners, and advocates for DC Action’s Revenue Lobby Day (on September 23rd), continuing conversations with DC Council offices about the resources needed to support children, families, and early childhood education professionals across the District.

The visit came at an important point in the District’s budget conversation. The FY27 budget restored significant funding for early childhood education, including $73.5 million for the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund. Of that amount, $61.5 million was restored by the Council for educator compensation, but that funding was provided on a one-time basis.

That distinction matters as DC begins looking toward FY28. The progress achieved during the FY27 budget process protected important investments for another year, but sustaining that progress will require continued attention to how the District funds its priorities over the long term.

Ahead of the Lobby Day, DC Action and coalition partners examined the financial landscape facing the District and the growing importance of recurring revenue. Their analysis identified substantial funding needs beginning in FY28, including the resources necessary to continue supporting the Pay Equity Fund and other programs serving children and families.

For early childhood education, the stakes are particularly significant. DC Action estimates that more than $90 million annually would be needed to return the Pay Equity Fund to pay parity. The coalition has also identified additional funding needs within the early education subsidy program.

These discussions provided the context for our return to the Wilson Building. During Revenue Lobby Day, DCAEYC stood alongside parents and partners to bring the early childhood community into conversations taking place with Council offices. Our participation reinforced a message that has remained consistent throughout this year’s advocacy: decisions about the District’s revenue and budget directly affect its ability to maintain a strong and stable early childhood education system.

Parents brought the perspective of families who depend on access to quality early learning opportunities. Partners brought their experience working across the District’s communities and policy landscape. DCAEYC brought the perspective of early childhood education professionals and our continued commitment to ensuring their experiences remain part of the decisions that affect the field.

Throughout the FY27 budget process, DCAEYC participated in coalition meetings, Council engagement, rallies, walkarounds, public education, and community mobilization around early childhood education funding. The final budget restored funding that had been at risk and preserved important investments for educators and families.

Protecting an investment for one fiscal year and ensuring that it can be sustained in future years are different challenges. As DC begins preparing for FY28, questions about recurring revenue, long-term funding, and the financial stability of programs such as the Pay Equity Fund will remain central to the discussion.

For DCAEYC, this means standing alongside parents, partners, educators, and advocates as new budget and revenue decisions take shape. It means bringing the experiences of early childhood education professionals into conversations with policymakers. And it means continuing the work beyond a single hearing, budget vote, or visit to the Wilson Building.

We are grateful to DC Action for bringing partners together for Revenue Lobby Day and to the parents, advocates, and organizations who continue to contribute their voices and experience to this work.

The decisions being discussed today will help determine whether DC can sustain the early childhood investments our community has worked to protect. DCAEYC will continue to show up, engage, and advocate for a strong early childhood education system across the District.

Source: Data referenced in this article was provided by Under 3 DC and the DC Action coalition through their Fall 2026 tax and revenue advocacy materials.