Chicago, IL

Public Relations
Media Outreach ▪ Press Conferences ▪ Editorial Board Meetings ▪Community Events
A Case Study
Affordable Child Care Expands for Illinois Residents

Strategy
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Created a story bank of human-interest stories on the impact of the state child care subsidy on working families and child care providers
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Pitched media on our advocacy events, rallies at the Illinois State Capitol and stories of families impacted by child care policy
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Published newsletters revealing the struggles of low-income working families
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Arranged editorial board meetings
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Coached a statewide network of child care providers on media strategies
Challenge
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3,000 plus Illinois families at risk of losing their child care subsidy, and 30,000 families on a waiting list
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Persuade the Illinois General Assembly to adopt Illinois Action for Children's (formerly called The Day Care Action Council of Illinois) proposed solution to the state's child care crisis
Note: This case study is from Yolanda Y. Harris' early years in PR, but it was one of her most rewarding, memorable experiences.
Results
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$100 million added to state of Illinois’ child care budget in 1997
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A revised child care policy for Illinois
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Elimination of the state's waiting list for child care assistance
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More than 150 favorable media placements statewide
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A WPWR-TV $25,000 Advocacy Award
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Increased momentum for child care advocacy in 1998.