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A L Consulting
Keeping the Promise
After many years of organizing parents, activists and others, Andy Lotrich has created his own private company to provide training, resources and lobbying support to the parents, owners and employees of early childhood education centers. Andy has created his own private enterprise to keep the promise to our New Mexico communities to create a lasting and viable coalition of early childhood education partners and activists.
A L Consulting's "Protect the Future" is a campaign to fight for high-quality education in New Mexico and to urge state lawmakers to adequately fund life-long learning opportunities. The campaign was launched to unite concerned citizens and organizations, including parents, teachers, center owners and community groups. "Our children get one shot at education, so we have to make sure we provide them with well-funded, high-quality educational opportunities." It is important early childhood speaks with a unified voice, but it is also vitially important the voice be a New Mexico voice.
As part of the effort to help train and teach educators, parents, and community groups on how to become advocates for early childhood education, A L Consulting, in collaboration with the New Mexico Alliance for School-Based Health and Media Arts Charter High School, have developed an on-line tutorial for the novice advocate, as well as the experienced advocate:
Keeping Track of the Legislative Process
One of the most difficult tasks for educators, families and community groups is to keep track of the legislative process. In even-numbered years, it is only a 30-day session that convenes from January to February. During this short period of time, there are numerous bills introduced that might impact early childhood education. To help keep track of the legislative process, A L Consulting has linked this page to the New Mexico Legislature to make it easier to access information. Because we all have limited time, A L Consulting has included linds to the main committees where early childhood education-related legislation will be reviewed (education committees and Senate Finance Committee). Additonally, by selecting the committee calendars, you will be able to view the legislation to be reviewed by the education committees (normally meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday) to then select the bill locator information to actually view the proposed legislation and fiscal impact reports.
A New Vision for a New Future
A L Consulting has endorsed the importance and value of high-quality education for children at their earliest age. A L Consulting is proud to support early childhood educators, parents and owners in New Mexico's movement to improve and support high-quality early childhood education for all. The mission of A L Consulting is to:
1. Help construct a process to unify the collective early childhood voice;
2. Support developmentally appropriate early learning for all children from birth through success;
3. Lobby for affordable, funded and accessible high-quality, developmentally appropriate early care and education for all families;
4. Support early childhood education that builds and supports existing, high-quality programs;
5. Support a comprehensive service system that supports all families;
6. Support a seamless transition from early childhood programs to public education;
7. Lobby for worthy compensation for the early childhood workforce that isn't to the detriment of families or owners; and
8. Lobby for a long-term and sustainable funding source for early childhood education.
The voice of the early childhood education workforce has been strengthened through the numerous programs, activities and actions that call attention to the needs and rights of the children, parents, owners and workforce. Together, we can continue to bring attention to the importance of funding high-quality, early childhood education.
This time of year is often a time for reflection and the making of new goals. Last year, our early childhood providers, owners, educators and parents felt the continued and painful cuts to early childhood education and care. Early childhood education cannot withstand any more cuts. A L Consulting is here to help the early childhood community become united and say, "Enough cuts have been made to early education. The current cuts are threatening the services and early education our working families, small businesses and communities rely upon to function effectively." A L Consulting is here to help everyone say, "Cutting education and essential services to our children and families is not the answer. Legislators must find a balanced approach to balance the budget to support New Mexico's working children, working families and small businesses."
A New Choice for Parents and Community Partners
In the coming months, A L Consulting will be working closely with TEACH New Mexico (a recently developed professional union for educators and parents in New Mexico) to develop a membership program geared specifically for parents. The goal of TEACH New Mexico is to empower and train local leaders to work in conjunction with their parent and community allies to deal with issues at a local level.
With the help of A L Consulting, TEACH New Mexico is striving to be a professional union that is structured with the individual in mind and based in New Mexico. As a state Union, TEACH New Mexico has the ability to make autonomous decisions because we, as New Mexicans, understand best the unique dynamics and unique qualities that unite all New Mexicans. In recent years, we have been asked to do more with less. It is time to turn things around. It is time we invite parents and community alliances to become partners in our educational institutions.
Please stay posted to this website for additional information about TEACH New Mexico's attempts to unite all educators, parents and community partners across New Mexico. TEACH New Mexico is attempting to create an opportunity to allow all educational partners and stakeholders to focus more of their limited resources on the direct education and guidance of our future.
The innovations of tomorrow must begin today.
Please direct any questions or comments to:
A L Consulting
Andrew Lotrich, President
10308 Arvilla Ave, NE 87111
TEACH New Mexico
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