• Established client's credentials with new Administration
• Developed position papers on early childhood education complementing Administration policy
• Coordinated fly-in of sector leadership to meet with top Administration officials and congressional leadership of education committees
• Coordinated grassroots letter-writing to key Members of Congress and organized leadership meetings with Members of Congress during congressional recess periods
• Built out key contacts among congressional staff involved in education policy
• Drafted specific bill text for provisions involving funding for early childhood education and after-school funding

Our efforts in support of the CCC's advocacy efforts have also resulted in the extensions through fiscal years 2000 through 2003 appropriations of a $125 million reimbursement program for meals served to children enrolled in center-based child care. This reimbursement represents the second largest source of federal program dollars supporting center-based child care. This strategy of leveraging appropriations to extend the program's authorization has also positioned the CCC to secure a permanent extension of the program during the upcoming reauthorization of the major federal child nutrition programs.

We also have secured over 15 provisions in the 2003 House-passed Head Start reauthorization bill. These amendments will strengthen the service provision opportunities of private providers of early childhood education. In 1998, our efforts opened up Head Start for the first time in its 30-plus year history to allow private providers of early childhood education to compete for Head Start grants.