What We Do

girl on jungle gym

Public Policy & Education

Our Public Policy & Education workgroup:

  • Supports parents and caregivers to become advocates for their children, at the local, county and state level.

  • Stays informed about legislation at the state, county and city level, related to young children and their families, and provides summaries and updates to the committee regarding issues that may impact local children, families and programs.

  • Provides members with opportunities for further engagement when we deem a need to present a unified voice to address concerns related to current or pending legislation i.e. letter writing, scripted calls to representatives, or similar call-to-action work.

  • Assesses the needs and concerns of the membership and makes decisions on when or how to represent the LBECE Committee’s stance on legislation and communicate that to the committee.

kids and moms at festival

Community Impact

Our comprehensive approach to social services includes integrating services of multiple programs based on participant needs to provide a full spectrum of personal and social solutions.

community events

Celebration of the Young Child

  • Annual event on the last Saturday of April from 10am–2pm with a variety of artistic performances by award-winning musicians, children’s authors and more!

  • A free, one day festival open to all Long Beach families and their children with learning and exploring opportunities for children 0-6 that informs and educates the community around early care and education.

  • Includes information booths and interactive activity booths in five developmental areas: STEM, movement and play, health and healthy living, arts and crafts and reading fun.

Early Learning & Kindergarten Festivals

The transition from preschool to kindergarten is one of the most difficult, critical, and yet exciting events in a young child’s life.

Providing a smooth transition for a preschooler from the home and/or preschool environment to the elementary school can make a significant difference in how well the child adjusts to a formal setting. The LBECE Committee aims to facilitate this transition process by providing families with the information and resources they need to support the health, safety, socio-emotional, and educational well-being of their child.

About the ELK Festivals

  • Offered 4 times a year (between January–March) at various elementary schools within Long Beach, including one virtual event

  • Attended by over 400 people annually

  • Educate families on kindergarten readiness and school registration

  • Provide information about access to and options to public health and social services

  • Include parent workshops (such as math and literacy workshops), free school supplies, dental screenings and lots of fun activities

  • Hosted in partnership with the Long Beach Public Library and the Long Beach Unified School District

educators meeting

Workforce Enhancement

Our Workforce Enhancement workgroup:

  • Enhances the quality of professional development

  • Supports the development of a stronger ECE workforce

  • Reduces barriers to professional development opportunities

Long Beach Early Childhood Education Symposium (ECE Symposium)

A one-day professional development conference attended by 550+ early educators annually supported by our partners: Long Beach Unified School District, Mayor’s Fund for Long Beach, City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services and various sponsors

Marketing & Membership Workgroup

Our Marketing & Membership workgroup:

  • Increases membership of the ECE committee, supports member involvement, and promotes ECE community events and activities with the broader community and partners through email alerts, social media, and printed collateral

  • Future and on-going projects include a Member Networking Mixer, monthly social media messages, website updates, community outreach, committee calendaring, building awareness campaigns, and branding