As native Angeleno, Elsa Jacobsen currently serves as the Director of Public Policy at Child360, an early learning non-profit based in DTLA. In this role, she works to further policies that advance equity in early childhood education at the local, state and federal levels. Through budget advocacy, candidate forums and a host of other measures, she and her team seek to increase access to early childhood programs and to support the early care and education (ECE) field. Before joining Child360, Elsa served as a law clerk at Young, Minney & Corr, LLP, where she worked on critical education law issues for charter school clients. Prior to law school, she served fellowships at the California Department of Education and in the office of the late Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), worked on the field staff of a congressional campaign in New England, and earned an MA and a BA from Stanford University. Fun Fact: Once upon a time before COVID, Elsa performed with a salsa dance troupe here in Los Angeles, but is now finding other happy outlets in biking, surfing and trying out new recipes on her parents during Sunday dinners.
When VICA asked a few additional questions, these responses were shared:
Tell us about your belief in VICA, how has VICA been most valuable for you?
VICA is an incredible “connector” and consistently provides Child360 and other members with terrific opportunities to speak with and hear from legislators about pressing issues affecting our region. In addition, participation in VICA’s Education Committee has enabled me and my Child360 colleagues to strengthen relationships with other members and to receive information from education experts, advocates and administrators that informs our policy work.
If you were to share an experience about VICA, what would that be?
I would mention the time that VICA’s team worked with Child360 to draft a formal email to the Governor’s office about a critical budget issue impacting child care providers, who are also small business owners. The email (which came from VICA’s president) was sent at a time when the Governor’s office had indicated a need to hear from partners outside the early childhood field. Ultimately, the budget issue was favorably decided, and we were grateful that VICA had served as an ally on this important matter.
What do you believe to be the greatest accomplishment VICA has achieved?
Consistently serving as a leading voice for business and providing its members – year after year – with a plethora of excellent opportunities to expand their professional networks, to meet directly with legislators, and to stay abreast of policy and political developments in a host of sectors.
What was your organizations and/or your greatest accomplishment in 2020?
For Child360’s public policy team, one of our greatest accomplishments was running a census education campaign that reached over 89,000 residents from hard-to-count LA County neighborhoods, diverse partner organizations, and local, state and federal legislative offices.
Can you share what VICA has meant for you and your business during COVID?
During the pandemic, VICA hasn’t missed a beat in providing opportunities for Child360 and other VICA members to connect with local, state and federal elected officials about a variety of policy issues. During a time when most in-person meetings aren’t possible, it has been invaluable to hear directly from legislators about their policy priorities during VICA After Darks and other virtual events. Personally, I’ve also looked forward to and enjoyed VICA’s banner events – such as the State Officeholders Dinner – which are always executed with signature humor and good food, and provide an especially welcome respite from the sameness of quarantine.
