In this edition of On the Move, we’re excited to highlight the key events and accomplishments of NAFCC in January and February 2025. From advocating for home-based child care on the national stage to hosting celebratory receptions for family child care educators in Austin and Hartford, NAFCC continues to lead the charge in elevating the field. Our policy team has been active in Washington, D.C., engaging in discussions to build equitable systems, while our staff has been strengthening connections with educators through meaningful gatherings. These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting and amplifying family child care educators across the nation.
Leading the Charge: NAFCC Advocates for Home-Based Child Care Nationwide
NAFCC’s Board President, Dr. Ellaine Miller, & NAFCC Staff Members, Erica Phillips, Andrea Maldonado, Dezire’e Mattocks and Jocelyn Jones, meeting in Atlanta to kick off another great year for NAFCC.
Advocating for Family Child Care: NAFCC Policy Team Leads the Charge in D.C.
NAFCC Policy and Advocacy Team has hit the ground running, making waves in Washington, D.C.! This dynamic team recently represented family child care educators at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation convening, collaborating on strategies to build equitable systems for families and communities.
The team also attended a Toast to Women Leaders, celebrating the remarkable contributions of women in leadership across the nation. NAFCC remains committed to elevating family child care voices in national discussions.
On the Move Blog-Austin Texas Celebratory FCC Reception
NAFCC recently supported Tamitha Blackmon & Nehemiah School with a successful FCC Celebratory Reception in February in Austin, Texas, honoring family child care educators in Travis County. This event commemorated the dedication and hard work FCC educators devoted to their community and the advocacy they showed leading to the passage of a ballot amendment for affordable child care in Austin Texas. The event, which featured NAFCC’s Director of Professional Development, Dezireé Mattocks, included speeches and discussions with key stakeholders and policymakers from both the state and local levels. The event was also supported by a generous grant from the Powell Foundation.
Hartford FCC Association Celebration
NAFCC Director Erica Phillips attended the Hartford Family Child Care Association (FCC) Celebration, where she had the opportunity to connect with local family child care providers and celebrate their contributions to the early childhood education field. Erica’s presence at the event highlighted NAFCC’s commitment to supporting FCC educators at the grassroots level and fostering a strong sense of community within the field.
NAFCC Meet & Greet in Washington, D.C.
NAFCC recently hosted a Meet & Greet for family child care educators in the Washington, D.C. area and those attending the NAEYC Policy Symposium, creating a space for connection, shared experiences, and community-building. These gatherings provide FCC educators with opportunities to network, discuss challenges and successes, and engage in meaningful conversations about the future of family child care. As we continue to strengthen our advocacy efforts, these in-person connections are invaluable in elevating educator voices and fostering collective action.
NAFCC Staff Attends NAEYC Public Policy Forum NAFCC Staff and FCC Leaders Advocate for Change in DC.
NAFCC staff members Ronald Jarrett and consultant Jerletha McDonald and attended the NAEYC Public Policy Forum, where they engaged in important discussions on policy issues affecting early childhood education. Their participation allowed NAFCC to stay informed on key legislative developments and further advocate for the needs of family child care educators. NAFCC also co-hosted the Child Care Means Business reception. Many FCC leaders were also in DC including Corinne Hendrickson who participated in a small business fly-in with the Main Street Alliance.
NAFCC Joins Forces with First Five Years Fund to Advocate for Child Care Tax Reforms
The NAFCC co-sponsored the First Five Years Fund’s “Child Care Means Business” Reception, which drew a full house of Members of Congress, staffers, state Chamber of Commerce representatives, and early learning advocates from across the nation. The focus of the event was to spotlight how enhancing child care-related tax provisions could ease the financial burden on working families, providing them with access to quality child care while fostering a more stable workforce and a stronger economy.
NAFCC Participates in WeVision EarlyEd Solutions Labs Gathering in Washington, D.C.
In February, NAFCC staff joined at least 10 of our members in attending the WeVision EarlyEd Solutions Labs Gathering in Washington, D.C., led by the Bainum Foundation. This initiative is dedicated to developing innovative demonstrations of how early education can be delivered with the comprehensive support it needs to thrive.
