Policy Begets Practice—You Can’t Have One Without the Other! Policies lay the foundation, and daily practices bring them to life! Effective policies shape impactful practices, especially in early childhood education. That’s why advocating for smart, child-centered policies is critical—especially when those affected, like young children, can’t speak up for themselves. In March, executive directors from Educare, including our own Cindy Decker, took to Washington, D.C., meeting with key Congressional representatives to advocate for vital early care and education funding, SNAP, and Medicaid—ensuring the wellbeing of the whole child and family. Cindy continued the conversation back home, giving Senator James Lankford's Tulsa County Field Representative, Quinton Gray, a firsthand look at Tulsa Educare. Seeing high-quality early learning in action speaks louder than words! Let’s keep pushing for policies that support children and families! #EarlyLearning #AdvocacyInAction (fb)

After years of dedication to early childhood education, Ms. Melodie Benish had $75,000 of her student loans forgiven through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. This federal program is designed to forgive certain student loans after 10 years of qualifying payments while working for an eligible non-profit employer, like Tulsa Educare. After earning her bachelor’s degree in education, Ms. Melodie started working as a Head Start teacher. After a few years, she returned to school and earned her master’s degree in early childhood education. She has spent the last 11 years shaping young minds at Tulsa Educare. While she initially didn’t qualify for the PSLF Program, a special waiver in 2023 changed everything – wiping away her remaining student debt. The special waiver program has since expired, but Ms. Melodie encourages fellow teachers and colleagues, “You should look into it and apply right away. It is well worth it!” Learn more at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service. #Education Matters (fb)