On Tuesday, November 12th, member organizations of the Children’s Policy Coalition co-hosted a showing of the No Small Matter documentary.
The Mid-Iowa Chapter of the Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children, in conjunction with Unity Point Health, Every Child Matters, and Save the Children Action Network, brought the viewing to 111 attendees, ranging from child care professionals, to health providers, to advocates and elected officials.
According to their website, “No Small Matter is a feature-length documentary film and national engagement campaign that brings public attention to this vital question – when the importance of quality early care and education is so widely accepted, do we continue to fail so many – by sharing powerful stories and stunning truths about the human capacity for early intelligence and the potential for quality early care and education to benefit America’s social and economic future.” The group viewed the film, and then had time to discuss the their reactions to the documentary in small groups.
After the post-viewing discussion, members of our coalition gave short advocacy trainings to small groups to help equip attendees with actions steps to bring the message of the film to a wider audience. CPC co-chair Jill Applegate informed attendees on how to participate in the Iowa caucuses and demystify the process, E.J. Wallace of SCAN educated a group about earned media and how to write a letter to the editor, and Caucus for Kids project coordinator Emilee Harris talked with her group about the different ways to contact your legislator.
Jill Applegate leading attendees in a brief mock-caucus 
Emilee Harris leading a how-to contact your state legislators
Those in attendance said that the movie helped to further motivate them to make changes in the early learning world.
View more photos of the event here: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3771332699559123&id=748379258521164
This event was organized in-part by the following people:
Crystal Abbe, State Governing Board Member of IAEYC
Leslie Stonehocker, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Donna Kennebeck, Unity Point Health
Jillian Herink, Executive Director of IAEYC
EJ Wallace, Save the Children Action Network
Jill Applegate, Every Child Matters
The Children’s Policy Coalition is calling on every presidential candidate to address the issues affecting children and families. Candidate responses are shared here for informational purposes only. The Children’s Policy Coalition does not endorse candidates or parties. We’re caucusing for kids!
