Good Beginnings Alliance in partnership with the state's Keiki Caucus held it's annual Champions for Children's Breakfast at the State Capitol in Honolulu last Thursday (1/31/08). Hundreds of early childhood education professionals attended the event.
Over 75 families and staff from the Keiki Steps program participated in a simulated playmorning on the fourth floor. The playmorning gave legislators an opportunity
to experience how a Family Child Interaction Learning Program (FCLIP) operates.
"We want legislators to know that Family Child Interaction Learning Programs are a viable option for parents and caregivers," said Kanoe Naone, Chief Executive Officer of INPEACE.
After the breakfast, Senator Suzanne Chun-Oakland and Representative John Mizuno along with several other officials and professionals unveiled the Keiki Caucus legislative package for this term. Some of the highlights from the package were Affordable Housing, Teacher Quality, Child Safety and Sex Education.
Kathy Murphy from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) spoke on behalf of the Act 259 Task Force. Murphy urged politicians to support the Keiki First initiative, which is a ten year comprehensive early childhood educational plan for the state. The plan calls for nearly $170 million in state funds.
"We must continue this journey now, we can not afford to wait," said Rae DeCoito, Chief Operating Officer of INPEACE.
If the plan is adopted by the state, implementation would start next year.
