Check out the latest updates from the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). This month, our staff members have been on the move, working diligently to further our mission and strengthen our connections with child care educators and advocates across the country.
Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow
Congratulations, Erica Phillips, Executive Director of NAFCC, for being named a 2023 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow.
The Ascend Fellows are a group of trailblazers dedicated to improving the vitality and wellness of families in a multitude of ways. From reimagining care and learning systems to unlocking capital for economic inclusion and justice, and pioneering research that reshapes the policies and practices that impact our communities – this is the kind of work that sparks meaningful change.
Over the next 18 months, Erica and her fellow Fellows will embark on an exciting journey filled with growth and learning. They’ll participate in four fellowship forums, create and execute action plans that amplify their visions for children and families, and receive invaluable leadership coaching and peer group support.
Check out Erica’s journey and her inspiring message here.
Erica Phillips Will Join The November 7 Hunt Institute Panel
Over the past year, a diverse group of early childhood leaders has convened as the U.S. Early Years Climate Action Task Force, exploring the impact of climate change on the world’s most vulnerable citizens: its young children.
Earlier this month, the Task Force Released its final report: Flourishing Children, Healthy Communities, and a Stronger Nation: The U.S. Early Years Climate Action Plan.
On Tuesday, November 7 at 2 PM ET, The Hunt Institute will host a special edition of its Early Efforts web series, speaking to Task Force leaders about their findings and their important implications for American and global policy.
Yesy Robles-Brown, Chief of Staff, and Rosa Valenzuela, Executive Assistant – Accreditation and Quality Standards, attended and presented a session on NAFCC Accreditation Process at the NYC Bilingual Family Childcare Provider Conference.
Francia Wisnewski, Director of Membership at NAFCC, attended the Opportunities Exchange National Shared Service Technical Conference in Phoenix, AZ along with Susan Randolph NAFCC Arizona State Rep., and Michael Bachman, Immediate Past Chair, NAFCC Accreditation Council.
Dezire’e Mattocks Ed.S., Director of Professional Development for NAFCC, sparking connections at the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) Annual Conference in North Carolina. #NBCDI2023
“NAFCC was so honored to be present and build community with all the remarkable people in attendance! People stopped by our booth and won prizes, and some just came by to chat! NAFCC was All The BUZZ! The synergy was real at this remarkable conference,” said Dezire’e Mattocks.
Erica Phillips participated in the CDA Council for Professional Recognition Opening General Session: Cultivating Changemakers Leadership: A Call to Action from National Leaders in Early Childhood.
She was joined by Michelle King, The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Dr. Calvin Moore, CDA Council for Professional Recognition, Dr. Leah Austin, National Black Child Development Institute and Natalie Vega O’Neil, Chair of NAEYC Governing Board.
NAFCC held its Observer Training in partnership with the Florida Association for the Education of Young Children and the Florida Family Child Care Home Association, Inc. at the FLAEYC conference in Florida.
“National Family Child Care Observers are the vital bridge in the accreditation process. Their dedication to supporting our FCC Educators’ success is truly remarkable,” Zakenya Neely, Director of Accreditation for NAFCC.
Francia Wisnewski, in collaboration with the United Way of Connecticut, represented the CT Association for the Education of Young Children on October 28th. Also a big thank you to the CT Office of Early Childhood OEC for their commitment and strong support to the family child care sector. Pictured: Judith Goldberg and Nicole Villanueva.
Francia Wisnewski presented on October 25th at the Family Child Care Summit in Massachusetts, hosted by the SEIU Local 509 and the SEIU Education and Support Fund. She was instrumental in building connections in the community, contributing to a collective vision for family child care, and learning about resources, and training opportunities.
FCC Educators on the Move
Cynthia Davis attended the Grassroots Assembly in Washington, DC.
“The sharing of stories, camaraderie, and especially the training on the history of early childhood care was exceptional. Learning and participating in events like these promotes unity and ways to participate in future advocacy efforts. Also, it provides opportunities to experience learning about current events in the early childcare space,” said Davis.
Katie Baker, NAFCC West Virginia State Rep at the Family Child Care Conference in Huntington, WV.
Tiffany Jones, NAFCC state rep, attending the Maryland State Family Childcare Association Conference in Ocean City, MD.
Svitlana Uniyat, Minnesota state rep at the Shaping the Future Family Child Care Conference.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to spread the word about NAFCC and a great way to promote the power of family child care and encourage family child care educators to become part of our national network,” said Uniyat.
Vantoinette Savage, North Carolina state rep attended the NBCDI conference in Charlotte, NC and served as a tour guide, making sure guests were safe and happy on the tour of Charlotte.
Bev Lee, New Jersey state rep, representing NAFCC at the NJAEYC Annual Conference.
Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA) and NAFCC are recruiting family child care educators to improve strategies to understand FCC costs and compensation.
Providers who are selected to participate will be compensated $60 for participation in a one-hour video or phone interview. The interview will include a conversation about your compensation (salary and benefits) as a family child care educator. Topics will include what you consider your compensation, what your compensation is, the time you spend working on your child care program, benefits (such as insurance and paid time off), and employees, among other things. The information we gather from this project will help inform our work to advance child care compensation, supply, and quality through advocacy and policy change.
If you are interested in participating, please complete this prescreen form by November 30, 2023, to share more information about yourself and your program. If you meet our selection criteria, we will be in touch to schedule the interview.
Share your story!
Have you recently contemplated making changes to your child care program due to the challenging financial conditions we’re currently navigating? This might include considerations such as increasing rates, reducing the number of children served, or even the difficult decision to close your family child care program.
Have you had families express concerns about their ability to cover the cost of child care, given the economic pressures they’re facing?
We invite you to share your experiences, insights, and challenges with us.
Please share your story at storytelling@nafcc.org Subject: Family Child Care Story Entry
