Report to Membership: FY 2020
What is the Mission of the Alliance?
The mission of the tiny-k Alliance is to promote high quality services and sound public policy for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities, through advocacy, resource development and strategic partnerships (tiny-k.org).
What has the Alliance done this past year?
Why Membership Fees?
Membership fees support advocacy and the creation of a unified voice to achieve mutual benefit for all tiny-k programs. A focus of the Alliance is to specifically spotlight the work, accomplishments, and challenges of the tiny-k Programs in Kansas.
What do Membership Fees support?
Costs associated with the work of the tiny-k Alliance include:
Are there other Sources of Income?
What does Ad Astra do for tiny-k?
Click here to download a PDF copy of this report.
The mission of the tiny-k Alliance is to promote high quality services and sound public policy for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities, through advocacy, resource development and strategic partnerships (tiny-k.org).
What has the Alliance done this past year?
- Developed a plan, with specific strategies and rationale, to put forward a request for increased funding for tiny-k to KDHE, the legislature, and governor. This request was for an additional 6 million in funds for tiny-k services.
- Met with KDHE staff (7.16.19) to discuss and inform of the Alliance request to the Governor for additional funds. Also discussed were the general supervision needs of KDHE ITS and the Alliance request that KDHE consider requesting that additional funds be put into the KDHE budget when the agency submitted their budget to the governor.
- Met with the Governor’s policy staff (8.2.19) to request the Governor include additional funds in the 2021 budget for the tiny-k programs.
- Met with the Kansas Action for Children staff (8.5.19) to inform KAC of the actions of the Alliance and of the meetings with KDHE and the Governor’s staff for additional funds in the 2021 budget for the tiny-k programs.
- Met with the Governor and senior staff (11.15.2020) to discuss the Alliance request for additional funds for tiny-k services.
- Supported testimony to the House Social Services Committee (2.12.2020) and to the Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee on the KDHE Budget (2.20.2020). Also, written testimony was provided by local tiny-k programs and parents and submitted to the Senate Ways and Means subcommittee.
- Expanded the tiny-k Alliance board by two members for broader representation from the tiny-k programs.
- Expanded and updated information on website.
- Supported/organized a training session at the KDEC conference on advocacy (2.28.2020).
- Conducted a survey of all tiny-k programs exploring the role of the Alliance, importance of activities conducted by the Alliance, and the Alliance as a voice of advocacy for tiny-k programs.
- Provided a weekly legislative update to all tiny-k programs during the legislative session.
- Secured a $2 million increase in funding for the tiny-k program with support of local tiny-k programs and advocacy activity by Ad Astra.
Why Membership Fees?
Membership fees support advocacy and the creation of a unified voice to achieve mutual benefit for all tiny-k programs. A focus of the Alliance is to specifically spotlight the work, accomplishments, and challenges of the tiny-k Programs in Kansas.
What do Membership Fees support?
Costs associated with the work of the tiny-k Alliance include:
- Reproduction of information materials (e.g. 1-page information sheet, information packets on Part C for advocacy activities)
- Ad Astra Contract
- Board of Directors Insurance
- Banking/accounting costs associated with online accounting management
- Annual website hosting fee
- Website maintenance (in Ad Astra fee)
- Annual fee associated for filing required state corporation paper/report
- Annual costs associated with filing of tax reports (e.g. 1099, 1096 forms)
Are there other Sources of Income?
- A very small income from Amazon purchases ($<30 year)
What does Ad Astra do for tiny-k?
- Works with tiny-k to develop specific legislative priorities and goals;
- In consultation with tiny-k Board, supports the development of a legislative strategic plan each session;
- Generates legislative support for tiny-k priorities, including needed policy or budget changes;
- Assists tiny-k with messaging related to tiny-k brand, identity, and legislative priorities;
- Monitors legislative committees relevant to tiny-k priorities, with particular focus on those impacting tiny-k appropriations;
- Assists members with preparing and delivering legislative testimony;
- Provides counsel regarding the tiny-k’s legislative activities and communications;
- Coordinates messaging and activities with other early childhood advocates, as appropriate, to support tiny-k goals; and,
- Communicates/reports regularly to the designated tiny-k liaison, including a weekly written update during the legislative session and as needed when the legislature is not in session.
- Volunteer to be a Board Member.
- Contact Board Members with specific recommendations/advocacy messages.
- Make suggestions at the annual meeting.
- When tiny-k day is held in Topeka -- send representatives.
- Communicate with your local and state government representatives.
Click here to download a PDF copy of this report.
