What is Capitol Connection & Education Day?
Capitol Connection & Education Day is an opportunity for community members to connect with fellow early learning advocates and their elected officials. Our primary goal is to educate legislators about BrightSpark’s Legislative Priorities during the 2025 Legislative Session, and why they are important for our community. We are creating space for early learning advocates to come together and share potential solutions and lived experience. This is essential to advancing not only BrightSpark’s mission, but how we bring about change to meet the needs of our communities.
Capitol Connection & Education Day will take place on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. This year, we are offering both virtually and in-person opportunities to get involved. So please join us in Olympia or at one of our BrightSpark Offices (Lake City, Kent, Tacoma, and Renton).
What's new this year?
Historically known as BrightSpark’s Advocacy Day, Capitol Connection & Education Day was renamed in 2024 to embrace the true spirit of the day. The day is not just about advocacy. It’s about building relationships with lawmakers, educating the community about the legislative process, and sharing stories of lived experience to bring about collective change.
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This year, there will be multiple ways to participate in Capitol Connection & Education Day. The first is in-person in Olympia, and the second is by stopping by 1 of our 4 BrightSpark offices (find our locations here). We understand that going to Olympia can take community away from work and other priorities. We want to give everyone the opportunity to be involved with Capitol Connection & Education Day in the way that works best for them!
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Advocates that will be coming to Olympia will be meeting with legislators at the Capitol Campus! This is the best opportunity to connect face-to-face with your elected officials and enjoy a day at the Capitol. Meetings will be hosted at legislator offices in Olympia; space may be limited. Lunch and snacks will be provided for all BrightSpark Advocates in attendance!
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Advocates that stop by our BrightSpark Offices will meet our staff and patriciate in a few advocacy related activities ranging from creating videos for social media, emailing legislators, postcard making, and much more. Snacks and refreshments will be provided!
Join us in Olympia!
We will be meeting at 9:00am the St. John’s Episcopal Church (find directions here) to start Capitol Connections & Education Day in Olympia. Parking will be available, but please carpool as parking is limited.
Upon your arrival, advocates will check in, gather resources for meetings, pick up snacks and lunch, and meet with your teams to create a plan for your meetings with elected officials. After check-in and group meetings, advocates will be able to venture over to the Capitol Campus to meet with legislators. Advocates are allowed to leave their cars at St. John’s Church and walk over to the Capitol Campus; it is roughly a 7 minute walk to the Capitol Campus. If you wish to drive to the campus, you are welcome to do so, but know that parking near the Capitol is very limited.
Meetings with legislators will take place throughout the day. You are free to leave when your meetings are complete, or you may stick around and take in the sites. Consider booking a tour!
Our schedule for the day will be:
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9 – 10 AM: This time will consist of check in, resource gathering, snack and lunch pick up, as well as a chance for advocates to meet with their district teams to create a plan for their meetings with elected officials.
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10 AM – 2 PM: After check in and group meetings, advocates will be able to venture over to the Capitol Campus to meet with legislators.
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2 – 3 PM: The day will end with a rally on the Capitol Steps, with combined efforts from our partners at the Children’s Alliance and Kindering!
Or join us at any BrightSpark office!
At each of our BrightSpark offices (find our locations here), BrightSpark staff members will be hosting a range of advocacy related activities, ranging from creating videos, email introductions to your legislators, postcard making, and much more! Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Stay tuned for more information on advocacy activities available at each office location!
Who can participate?
Everyone and anyone can participate in Advocacy Day. And yes, that includes YOU!
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Child Care Providers and Family, Friend, & Neighbor caregivers: Legislators want to hear from you directly about what you are experiencing in your communities, and how BrightSpark’s priorities are going to benefit you, other providers and caregivers, and the children and families in your care.
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Families & Community Members: Legislators want to hear directly from their constituents! Your voice and stories of your every day experience can help influence BrightSpark’s priorities.
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Everyone! Whether or not you have children of your own, everyone has influence in the lives of children and the future of our communities. We want you to learn about the legislative process and learn how you can make change in your communities. Our Advocacy Team takes the time to help you understand the complex processes of lawmaking so that you can use these skills, knowledge, and tools to be an activist for your community!
Get in touch!
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions about Capitol Connection & Education Day, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our team is here to assist you and ensure you have all the information you need for a fantastic experience!
If you have inquiries, please get in touch with us at advocacy@childcare.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
BrightSpark’s advocacy efforts are almost entirely funded from private donations! Consider making a donation today to invest in our ongoing advocacy efforts throughout 2025 and beyond.