First Up, Champions for Early Education, is commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month by rolling out new programs and resources for Spanish-speaking families and early childhood leaders across the region.
The nonprofit, which supports educators, parents, and childcare providers, is using the month to highlight Latino voices in early childhood education while expanding access to leadership opportunities, advocacy training, and family support services.
“Our Hispanic and Latino communities play a vital role in early childhood education,” said Carol Austin, Executive Director of First Up. “This month is not just about celebration, but about creating opportunities for leadership, advocacy, and resources that will continue to make a difference year-round.”
Among its offerings is the ECE Advocacy Fellowship (Información en Español e Inglés), a bilingual program that trains emerging childhood leaders in advocacy and policy engagement. The program culminates with a visit to Harrisburg in 2026, where fellows will meet with policymakers to address issues facing childcare providers and families. An information session for interested applicants is scheduled for Oct. 15. Registration for the session can be found at firstup.org
Other initiatives include:
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ECE Latinos Roundtable (Mesa Redonda para Educadores Latinos): Monthly virtual meetings where Spanish-speaking providers exchange resources and discuss legislation and budget issues. These meetings provide a vital space for Latino early childhood educators to connect and collaborate.
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Getting Ready for Kindergarten (Preparándose para Kinder): A workshop aimed at helping families prepare children for the transition to kindergarten.
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Advocacy FOR and WITH Immigrant and ESL Families (Abogacía PARA y CON familias inmigrantes y ESL): An in-person workshop on Oct. 4, at 9 a.m., that is focused on empowering immigrant and English as a Second Language (ESL) families through advocacy. Interested participants can register online at firstup.org
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Leadership Empowerment Action Project (LEAP) (Proyecto de acción para el empoderamiento del liderazgo): A leadership development program that encourages participants to build on existing strengths, share personal stories, and identify steps toward change in their communities.
To improve accessibility, First Up has also launched a Spanish-language section on its website, featuring bilingual information on fellowships, trainings, and events, as well as a redesigned event calendar with filtering options.
For more information on Hispanic Heritage Month events or the ECE Advocacy Fellowship, visit firstup.org.
