The Rooms Where it Happens: Where the Big Decisions on Early Childhood Policy Will Happen and How to Influence Them

On July 4, President Trump signed One Big Beautiful Bill into law, which slashes multiple vital programs that serve children and families, including health care and child nutrition programs. ECFC, Alliance for Early Success, and the Prenatal to 5 (P-5) Network are collaborating to host a funder discussion series to: illuminate the consequences of reconciliation bill and other proposed/enacted cuts/changes affecting P-5 population (both direct and projected indirect impacts); glean lessons learned from the fight; and learn about grantee efforts to advance wins for children and families. Funders will gain a better understand of policy context, topline priorities and the importance of advancing federal and state work in advancing these priorities.

The Budget Reconciliation Act’s Impact on Young Children and Families Series

Session 2: October 1, 2025

The Rooms Where it Happens: Where the Big Decisions on Early Childhood Policy Will Happen and How to Influence Them

In this second discussion in our series on how the Reconciliation Act impacts the prenatal to 5 population and their families at the Federal and State levels, ECFC, the Alliance for Early Success, and members of the Prenatal to Five Network funders learned:

• Where decisions and actions that will be unfolding at the state and national levels in the coming months, based on our dramatically changed funding and policy environment;
• The kinds of organizations and strategies working on navigating these choices at the national and state levels; and,
• Opportunities for funders to support those looking out for young children and families this process.

Speakers:

• Mario Cardona | Partner, EducationCounsel; Facilitator, Prenatal to Five Network
• Representative Lorena Garcia, Colorado General Assembly & CEO, Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition
• Amber Wallin, Executive Director, State Revenue Alliance
• Sara Vecchiotti,  Executive Director, Couch Family Foundation