2026 NAFCC Elections

As a family child care provider and CEO of my own program, I understand firsthand the dedication, resilience, and heart this work requires. Earning a Quality First star rating was not just an achievement, but a reflection of my commitment to providing high-quality care and continuously growing as an educator and leader.

Along the way, I saw the need for stronger connection and support among home-based providers, which led me to found the Arizona Network for Home-Based Childcare. What started as a vision to bring providers together has grown into a supportive network where we share resources, uplift one another, and build collective strength.

My advocacy extends beyond my program. Through my work with the Child Care Advocacy Group of Casa Grande and partnerships with organizations like Southwest Human Development, Candelen, and First Things First, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with others who are equally committed to improving outcomes for children and families. These experiences have shaped my understanding of the challenges we face and the possibilities ahead when we work together.

I am seeking to serve again because I believe in the power of our community. I believe every provider deserves to be heard, supported, and valued. I am committed to continuing to advocate, connect, and lead with purpose—ensuring that family child care providers across Arizona have the voice and resources they need to thrive.

It would be an honor to continue this work and to serve our community once again.

I have also attached my current photograph. Please let me know if you need any further information.

With gratitude

Erma guides them toward services that support their children’s physical and mental development, providing early interventions that are crucial to their success. She also helps connect families to housing programs, assisting them in finding safe, affordable homes that bring stability into their lives. Beyond that, she offers respite for parents who are overwhelmed and in need of a space where they can breathe and regroup. For those in need of necessities, she has created a revolving closet filled with clothes for both adults and children. Her aim is to empower these families holistically—not just by focusing on their immediate needs but by encouraging them to further their education. Erma assists with filling out FAFSA forms, online applications, and writing resumes.

Whatever is needed, she strives to provide support, encouragement, and empowerment to help them move forward. But her work doesn’t stop with families. She has also devoted herself to supporting other early childhood educators because she knows how isolating the field can be. Erma says that “although we work during the most formative years of children’s lives—raising the future doctors, lawyers, scientists, educators, and leaders of the world—our contributions often go unrecognized and undervalued. It’s essential that we, as early childhood educators, are seen for the vital work we do”. That’s why she works tirelessly, both independently and with her association, ACPN, to empower, encourage, and educate other educators. It is important to her that she leaves a legacy of purpose and impact. Her focus is on guiding the next dynamic group of early childhood educators so that they can continue providing excellent care for families in the years to come. Erma is deeply passionate about this work, with over 45 years of experience in educating and empowering others. Whether it is through her ministry in Christian Education or her leadership in Early Childhood Education, she is committed to helping others realize their full potential.

From the U.S. and British Virgin Islands to Kenya, Africa, she has had the privilege of teaching adults, youth, ministry leaders, and laypeople, helping them grow in their spiritual journeys and leadership roles. In her home church, where she has served in the area Christian Education for over 40 years, and through her roles as Dean of Christian Education for the Illinois National BaptistState Convention and her district association. Erma has developed programs that help others deepen their faith and strengthen their leadership. In the same way, she has helped countless educators open and operate their own childcare facilities, mentoring them through every step of the process. It has been a rewarding journey, watching these educators succeed and create environments where young children can thrive. Whether through Christian education or early childhood education, her purpose has always been to equip others with the tools, knowledge, and encouragement needed to flourish. And as Erma looks to the future, she is committed to ensuring that the next generation of educators are empowered to make an even greater impact.

She is the owner and operator of The Foundation for Creative Life Home Child Care in Columbus, Ohio, where she implements child-centered, developmentally appropriate practices that foster confidence, creativity, and lifelong learning. Trina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from Columbia College Chicago and has earned multiple certifications in early childhood development and community mental health, including a leadership certificate from Georgetown University.

She serves as the current Ohio State Representative for the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) and is a community organizer with the CEO Project, where she builds power among early childhood educators and families through leadership development and civic engagement. Trina has served as a panelist with The First Five Years Fund, speaking with congressional staffers on the importance of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), and has provided testimony at the Ohio Statehouse advocating for child care reform and increased public investment, including ARPA funding

She has also been a keynote speaker for family child care at Starting Point and serves as an MC for DWOCC and other grassroots efforts. Her advocacy is informed by firsthand experience navigating the financial instability caused by delayed public child care payments, driving her commitment to securing equitable and timely compensation for providers. Guided by the principle “Learn, grow, advocate, give, and repeat,” Trina continues to champion policies that strengthen families, uplift educators, and transform communities.

Since beginning her career in 1990, she has remained committed to providing high-quality, nurturing care for children and families. She achieved national accreditation in 2000 and has since been a strong advocate for excellence in family childcare.
Mrs. Baker holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and an Associate’s degree in Applied Science with a concentration in Child Development. She has completed extensive professional training, including the Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist, and serves as a registered West Virginia STARS trainer, delivering training and support to early childhood professionals across the state.

In 2023, Mrs. Baker was appointed as the West Virginia representative for the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). As one of the first nationally accredited family childcare providers in West Virginia, she has played a key role in promoting accreditation and raising awareness of quality standards within the field. She regularly participates in conferences and professional development events, where she provides resources, mentorship, and guidance to fellow providers pursuing accreditation.

Through her leadership, advocacy, and dedication to professional development, Mrs. Baker continues to make a meaningful impact on the family childcare community. She remains committed to advancing the quality of care and supporting providers in achieving and maintaining national accreditation.