The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) announces the appointment of seven new board members, who will contribute their expertise to advance the association’s mission of supporting the family child care sector.
These passionate advocates for family child care bring diverse perspectives that strengthen the mission to create impactful programs and resources. With their dedication, NAFCC can empower family child care providers and guarantee that children receive unparalleled care in the comfort of their homes. Their invaluable contributions will drive NAFCC’s efforts forward and help the association continue to set the standard for excellence in early childhood education.
We are proud to welcome:
Benu Chhabra, a licensed family child care educator in Contra Costa County California for more than 30 years, leads multiple organizations and is a dedicated advocate for family child care. Her tireless advocacy efforts have resulted in legislation, including SB234, “Keeping Kids Close to Home,” to expand child care opportunities for California families and reduce costs and red tape for home child care providers.
Crystasany R. Turner, PhD, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education in the Teaching and Learning department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, brings a deep understanding of the research and best practices that support high-quality care in the home.
Jonathan Paul, Ph.D, Chief Regional Operating Officer of OneGoal, is passionate about excellence, access, and inclusion from pre-K to postsecondary education. He specializes in fostering and strengthening educational equity, raising student completion rates, and closing funding gaps in American education systems. Jonathan Paul serves as the NAFCC Board Treasurer.
Marica Cox Mitchell, Vice President of Early Childhood for the Bainum Family Foundation, leads efforts to support the healthy growth and development of young children and their families through direct service and policy/advocacy. The foundation prioritizes five aspects of Early Childhood: early learning, mental health and well-being, health (including prenatal and perinatal), family economic security, and housing stability.
Mary Muhs, Ed.D., with three decades of early childhood education experience, has held multiple leadership roles with numerous organizations, including the Minnesota Licensed Family Child Care Association Board of Directors. She is a published author and a recognized Exchange Leaders subject matter expert, holding the MACMH-IEC Endorsement® Infant Family Specialist and the Relationship Based Professional Development (RBPD) Credential in Minnesota.
Tammy Dannhoff, a long-time licensed family child care provider in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, owns and operates Kids Are Us Family Child Care. She brings valuable insights into the experiences of families who rely on home-based care and the challenges they face. Tammy Dannhoff serves as the NAFCC Vice President.
Yessika Magdeleno, a licensed family home child care educator, facilitates Title 22 workshops for family child care providers across California. She also works with her state’s child care union negotiation team to improve working conditions for family child care providers, serves in leadership roles with several groups, and has founded Mamash Curriculum and the Child Care Business Institute.
Each new board member shares NAFCC’s belief that family child care is an essential part of the early childhood education landscape and is passionate about building programs and resources that empower family child care providers and ensure that children receive high-quality care in their homes.
NAFCC is thrilled to welcome these new board members and to work together to lead the next era of family child care. Together, NAFCC will continue to build programs, provide resources, and push for legislation and partnerships that support home-based early educators and the families they serve.
