Advocacy is Action 2026

Family Child Care Advocacy Starts with You

Advocacy is Action is NAFCC’s annual national advocacy campaign that mobilizes family child care educators, allies, and advocates to influence federal policy and strengthen the future of family child care.

Throughout August, educators across the country will elevate their voices, meet with Members of Congress, share their stories, and demonstrate why family child care must be a central part of our nation’s early care and education system.

As Congress returns home during the August recess, educators have a unique opportunity to engage directly with federal elected officials in their communities and ensure family child care is represented in federal policy conversations.

Building on the Momentum of 2025

Last year’s campaign demonstrated the power of educator-led advocacy.
In 2025, NAFCC supported:

18 family child care educators

12 states and the District of Columbia

15 congressional meetings with Members of Congress and legislative staff

1 statewide Family Child Care Walkathon in Washington, D.C.

Meetings held in family child care homes, district offices, and on Capitol Hill

Educators from California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia shared firsthand experiences about operating family child care programs and the policies needed to sustain them.

The campaign also supported the D.C. Family Child Care Walkathon, hosted by the D.C. Family Child Care Association under the leadership of Executive Director Cynthia Davis. The event united educators, families, and community partners to celebrate family child care while raising public awareness and demonstrating the collective strength of the profession.

Together, these efforts elevated family child care voices, strengthened relationships with policymakers, increased public visibility, and laid the foundation for continued advocacy in 2026.

Our 2026 Priorities

Family child care remains essential to children, families, employers, and local economies, yet educators continue to face workforce shortages, rising operating costs, burdensome regulations, and inequitable funding.

Through Advocacy is Action 2026, NAFCC is urging Congress to:

Increase funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to address immediate child care needs while building toward a fully funded, equitable, and universal child care system.
Expand access to essential benefits for family child care educators, including affordable health care, retirement savings opportunities, paid leave, and other economic supports that strengthen long-term stability.

Support stable payment practices for small child care businesses through enrollment-based and prospective payments.
Ensure family child care educators have equitable access to funding opportunities, contracts, technical assistance, professional development, and business support.

Ways to Participate

There are many ways to raise your voice during Advocacy is Action.

Contact Your Members of Congress

Use the NAFCC Action Center to contact your U.S. Senators and Representative and share why family child care matters.

Schedule or Participate in a Legislative Meeting

Join educators across the country in meeting with congressional offices during the August recess, or invite your elected officials to visit your family child care program.

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Share Your Story

Your experience is one of the most powerful advocacy tools. Tell policymakers how federal and state decisions affect children, families, and your business. Contact us at policy@nafcc.org to share your story.

Community engage

Engage Your Community

Use social media, talk with families, partner organizations, and community leaders, and encourage others to participate using #AdvocacyIsAction.

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Become an NAFCC Member

Membership strengthens our collective voice and helps advance policies that support family child care nationwide. Join now.

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Explore NAFCC Policy Resources

Visit the NAFCC Policy Center for research, policy updates, advocacy tools, webinars, and additional resources to support your advocacy throughout the year. View current resources.

Why August Matters

During the August recess, Members of Congress are working in their home states and districts, which makes it one of the best opportunities to engage directly with policymakers.

Whether you invite an elected official to your program, participate in a district meeting, attend a community event, share your story online, or send an email through NAFCC’s Action Center, your voice helps shape the future of family child care. Want to join us? Submit an interest form.

Together, We Create Change

Every conversation. Every meeting. Every story.

Advocacy is Action is about ensuring that family child care educators are seen, heard, and included in the decisions that shape our profession.

Join us this August as we continue building a stronger, more inclusive future for family child care.

Because when family child care speaks with one voice, policymakers listen.