Your Voice Matters

As providers, we are encouraged to advocate and become involved in issues that affect children and families.  But what does that look like exactly for a busy family child care provider?

When I started this journey many years ago, I had no idea what advocacy was.  What I did know, was that I needed a support system. So, I set out to find one.  It started out small. I reached out on a local Facebook group and asked local providers to meet me for coffee.  We then started meeting monthly and the group slowly grew. Before we knew it, we had a group of over 40 providers on Facebook networking and supporting each other.  Now our small group has grown to over 150 members and our goal is still the same: family child care providers supporting and networking daily to help each other through this crazy life of being a family child care provider.  

I was starting my advocacy journey and I didn’t even realize it.  During this time, I met a member of the Child Care Providers Coalition of Kansas, and she encouraged me to join.  This lit a fire under me.  I was working with strong and educated women working towards the same goal: to support family child care providers.  Over the years I have learned how to become an advocate and what that looks like for a family provider.  I am going to be honest with you, I will not be the one that will stand up in Topeka to talk to my representatives. I am not that brave.  But I will lead the charge and gather the troops, I will attend the meetings, organize the zoom chats, share information on social media and educate my families and friends on the importance of family child care.  

Being an advocate is going to look different for each person.  We need to have a voice for the children in our care, the families that we support, our profession, and ourselves.  We need to support causes that have personal meanings to us, provide input towards a solution, and promote change.   What does that mean for you?  You need to become involved. You can’t sit back and let things happen.  You need to stand up, speak out, and let your voice be heard.   Join local and state organizations like CCPC or NAFCC. They will help you stay informed on current issues facing our profession. Attend child care events at the local and state level. This will help you network with providers in your area and help build a support system.  Make sure to stay connected: check your emails, answer surveys, and connect with Child Care Aware through their website to stay informed about advocacy issues and grant opportunities.  You can also become involved at the state and local levels by reaching out to your representatives and attending events in your area or at the state level. 

There are so many ways YOU can become involved.  It is not a one size fits all!  You can make a difference!