Policy & Government Relations

Jumpstart firmly believes that the most effective way to unlock the potential of every child is to ensure that high-quality early education and care, taught by qualified and effective educators, is available to all.

To achieve this, Jumpstart seeks to transform early care and education (ECE) by advocating for significant, measurable change throughout the field. By mobilizing our alumni base and national network of leaders and champions, we are working to advocate for urgently needed changes in the ECE sector, higher education, and national service. Our network of advocates has the potential to inspire public support and investment in high-quality ECE through their voices, stories, and experiences.  

At Jumpstart, we believe in a full-circle approach to early childhood education that recognizes the role of: 

  • Preschool children, their families, and their communities 
  • Early educators 
  • College students and other aspiring early educators 
  • Volunteers in preschool classrooms 

Click here to partner with us in our policy and advocacy efforts. 

Jumpstart, Kamala Harris, MLK, USC, Vice President Harris, service

Become An Advocate

You too can be a champion for early education! Click here for three easy ways to get involved.

Our Legislative Policy Positions and Priorities

Jumpstart believes in and advocates for the following:

  • Accessible, high-quality early education
  • A professional, stable, and well-compensated early education workforce
  • Affordable higher education that incorporates valuable workforce training opportunities
  • A commitment to national service

Learn more about Jumpstart’s Legislative Policy Positions and Priorities.

We know we can’t accomplish these lofty goals on our own. In addition, to support from our alums and network of leaders and champions, we benefit from our partnerships with Voices for National ServiceAmerica ForwardCommon Start CoalitionBlack Californians United for Early Care & Education, California’s Early Care and Education (ECE) CoalitionEmpire State Campaign for Child CareCity’s First Readers Coalition, and more, to advance a public policy agenda that champions innovative and effective solutions to our country’s most pressing social problems.

Our Policy Accomplishments

  • Waiver of the AmeriCorps grant match requirement for FY19 & FY20 grantees
  • Lifting of the charitable giving deduction for itemized taxes
  • Partial expansion of the charitable giving deduction for non-itemized taxes
  • Provision of $5.4 billion emergency funding for children & families
  • Inclusion of nonprofits in the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program
  • Extension to Jumpstart AmeriCorps members’ term of service
  • Safeguarding of Jumpstart AmeriCorps members’ Segal Award eligibility for the 2019-2020 school year
  • Suspension of student loan repayment

Policy News

Our Team

Demnlus Johnson

California Policy & Government Relations Manager

demnlus.johnson@jstart.org

Contact Demnlus for any California inquiries.

Adanech Makey

Director of Civic Engagement & Advocacy

adanech.makey@jstart.org

Contact Adanech for any general inquiries concerning civic engagement & advocacy.

Ryan Telingator

FAO Schwarz Fellow 

ryan.telingator@jstart.org

Please contact Ryan for any Massachusetts inquiries.

Jasmin Norford

FAO Schwarz Fellow

jasmin.norford@jstart.org

Please contact Jasmin for any New York inquiries.

Contact Us

For more information about Jumpstart’s policy advocacy initiatives and general inquiries, please contact policy@jstart.org

Together, we can help all children build the key language and literacy skills they need to take on the world.

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