The tour makes a virtual stop in Birmingham, where host Gloria Riviera learns how local advocates successfully lobbied lawmakers to make a historic investment in funding for both voluntary pre-k as well as initiatives that bolster the quality of early childhood education. This week we meet Catrice Pruitt, the director of programs at Childcare Resources, and Allison Muhlendorf, the executive director of the Alabama School Readiness Alliance, both of whom are leaders in movements to increase access to high-quality early childhood education in Alabama. Catrice and Allison speak with Gloria about the importance of working across the aisle to get buy-in from fiscally conservative governors and legislatures in order to improve childcare across the country. They also talk about how care is a multigenerational occupation, the importance of early brain development in children, and how advocates demonstrated that investing in child care would expand the state’s economy.   Show Notes Presented by Neighborhood Villages. Neighborhood Villages is a Massachusetts-based systems change non-profit. It envisions a transformed, equitable early childhood education system that lifts up educators and sets every child and family up to thrive. In pursuit of this vision, Neighborhood Villages designs, evaluates, and scales innovative solutions to the biggest challenges faced by early childhood education providers and the children and families who rely on them, and drives policy reform through advocacy, education, and research. This season was made possible with generous support from Imaginable Futures, a global philanthropic investment firm working with partners to build more healthy and equitable systems, so that everyone has the opportunity to learn and realize the future they imagine. Learn more at www.imaginablefutures.com We also thank the Women’s Foundation of Alabama and the Prosper Foundation for their partnership and sponsorship of this event. Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Visit Childcare Resources to find education resources for Alabama families and to learn about efforts to expand early childhood education. Learn about the Alabama School Readiness Alliance’s statewide work to expand access to high-quality pre-k education. Learn more about the Women’s Foundation of Alabama’s effort to support women and expand opportunities for their families. Visit the Prosper Foundation to learn more about their work in Alabama. Laugh, cry, be outraged, and hear solutions! Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nooneiscomingtosaveus.  Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.