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Legislative hearings, community events, and advocacy opportunities.
Legislative Community
Everything you need to effectively advocate for early childhood education in Tennessee — partners, guides, scripts, and process explainers.
Advocacy Allies
Save the Children Action Network
Child Advocacy
SCAN is the political advocacy arm of Save the Children. They mobilize advocates to push for early childhood education, health, and nutrition policies at the state and federal level.
TQEE advocates for evidence-based early childhood policy in Tennessee. They provide data, research, and policy recommendations to improve outcomes for children birth through third grade.
A statewide, nonpartisan commission that advises the Governor and General Assembly on policies to improve the well-being of Tennessee's children and families.
National Association for the Education of Young Children
NAEYC is the nation's leading voice for early childhood education. Their public policy and advocacy work focuses on federal and state legislation affecting young children, families, and the early learning profession.
Understanding how a bill becomes law in Tennessee helps you time your advocacy for maximum impact. Here's a simplified overview of the process:
01
Bill is Filed
A legislator drafts and files a bill in either the House or Senate. A companion bill may be filed in the other chamber.
02
Committee Assignment
The bill is referred to a committee (e.g., Education, Finance). This is the best time to voice your opinion — before the committee votes.
03
Committee Hearing
The committee reviews, debates, and may amend the bill. Citizens can testify or submit written comments. The committee votes to advance or kill the bill.
04
Floor Vote
The bill goes to the full chamber (House or Senate) for debate and a vote. If passed, it moves to the other chamber and repeats steps 2-4.
05
Conference Committee
If the House and Senate pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles them into one bill that both chambers must approve.
06
Governor's Desk
The Governor signs the bill into law or vetoes it. If no action is taken within 10 days of session adjournment, it becomes law automatically.
Pro Tip: The committee stage is where your voice has the most impact. Bills are most vulnerable here — a single call to a committee member can make the difference.
How to Advocate
Calling Your Legislator+
Step-by-Step
Find your legislator — Use the Tennessee Legislator Finder to identify your state Senator and Representative.
Call their office — Introduce yourself, state your name and that you're a constituent. Keep it brief — 2-3 minutes is plenty.
State your ask — Be specific: "I'm asking you to support HB0001 because..." Focus on how it affects kids in their district.
Be polite but firm — Thank them for their time and ask for a follow-up on how they plan to vote.
Follow up — Call again before key votes. Staff track constituent calls — volume matters.
📞 Phone Script
"Hi, my name is [Your Name] and I'm a constituent from [City]. I'm calling to ask that [Senator/Representative Last Name] support [BILL NUMBER] — the [bill name]."
"As a parent/caregiver/educator, I know how important [early childhood education/child care/trauma-informed care] is. This bill would [brief description of what the bill does], and it would make a real difference for families in [district/area]."
"I'd really appreciate knowing where [Senator/Representative Last Name] stands on this bill. Thank you so much for your time."
💡 Tips for Phone Calls
You'll usually talk to a staffer, not the legislator — that's normal. Be just as polite and clear.
Write down the name of who you spoke with and their response.
If you're nervous, practice your script once before calling.
Calling is the single most effective form of constituent outreach. Staff count calls on each issue.
Emailing Your Legislator+
Step-by-Step
Write a clear subject line — Use "Constituent Request: Support HB0001" so it gets categorized properly.
Introduce yourself — Name, city, and that you're a constituent. Mention if you're a parent, childcare provider, or educator.
Make your ask — One issue per email. State the bill number and what you want them to do.
Add a personal story — Why does this matter to you? Personal stories are more persuasive than stats alone.
Keep it short — 3-5 short paragraphs. Staff read hundreds — make yours easy to scan.
✉️ Email Template
Subject:Constituent Request — Please Support [BILL NUMBER]
Dear [Senator/Representative Last Name],
My name is [Your Name] and I am a constituent from [City, ZIP Code]. I am writing to urge your support for [BILL NUMBER], [bill name].
As a [parent/childcare provider/educator/concerned citizen], I have seen firsthand how [describe the issue the bill addresses]. This bill would [brief description of what the bill does], and it would directly help families in your district.
[Optional: Share a personal story — 2-3 sentences about your experience.]
I respectfully ask that you support [BILL NUMBER]. Please let me know how you plan to vote. Thank you for your service to our community.
One bill per email — Don't bundle multiple asks; it makes tracking harder for staff.
Use a real email address — Form letters from advocacy orgs are often deprioritized. Personal emails carry more weight.
Send before committee hearings — Timing matters. Emails sent 3-5 days before a hearing are most effective.
Follow up with a call — A quick call after sending your email doubles your impact.
Social Media Tips+
Best Practices
Tag your legislators — Use their official handles. Public posts get faster responses than private messages.
Keep it positive — Thank supportive legislators publicly. For others, ask questions rather than attack.
Use hashtags — #TNKids #EarlyChildhood #TNGov #ChildCare are common ones for Tennessee education advocacy.
Share your story — Posts with personal stories get 3x more engagement than dry policy posts.
Time it right — Post during session (January–April) when legislators are active and paying attention.
Reshare official posts — When SCAN or TQEE share action calls, reshare to amplify the message.
📱 Sample Social Media Posts
Support a bill: "As a mom in [City], I'm asking @TNRepLastName to support #HB0001. Child care providers deserve fair compensation, and families deserve access to quality care. This is an investment in our kids' futures. #TNKids #EarlyChildhood"
Thank a legislator: "Thank you @TNSenLastName for supporting #SB0005! Trauma-informed care saves lives and gives our youngest kids the support they need to thrive. Proud to have you fighting for Tennessee families. 🎉 #TNKids"
Call to action: "Did you know? Only 1 in 3 eligible Tennessee families can access publicly funded child care. It's time for change. Join me in contacting your legislator today — link in bio. #EarlyChildhood #ChildCare #TNGov"
Attending a Committee Hearing+
Before You Go
Check the calendar — Use the Calendar page here to see when committee hearings are scheduled.
Know the committee — Find out which committee is hearing the bill and who the members are.
Dress professionally — Business casual. You want to be taken seriously.
🎤 Testifying
1. Sign the witness card when you arrive.
2. You typically get 2-3 minutes. Practice and time yourself.
3. Structure: Who you are → Why you care → What you're asking → Thank you
4. Stay calm and factual. Stick to personal experience.
5. Provide a written copy of your testimony to the committee clerk.
📝 Testimony Script
"Chair [Name], committee members, thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is [Name] and I'm a [parent/educator/child care provider] from [City]."
"I'm here to support [BILL NUMBER] because [explain your personal connection — what you've seen, experienced, or know needs to change]."
"In my experience, [share a specific, brief story — 2-3 sentences]. This bill would help by [explain what the bill does]."
"I urge you to vote yes on [BILL NUMBER]. Thank you for your time and your service to Tennessee families."
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A curated list of policies we are actively tracking. These represent the most relevant and impactful legislation right now.
