The Cultural Richness of FFN Providers

by Jaimi Flores | Nov 9, 2023 | Child Care, ECE, FFN, Parents, Uncategorized

The Cultural Richness of FFN Providers

Nurturing a Richer Experience for Children

In the vibrant mosaic of our communities, Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers bring a wealth of diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences to the world of early childhood education. These dedicated caregivers play a vital role in shaping the lives of children, offering them a unique opportunity to learn and grow within a culturally rich environments.

Why Cultural Richness Matters

Cultural richness refers to the wide array of cultural backgrounds, traditions, languages, and experiences that FFN providers bring to their caregiving roles. The families who entrust their children to FFN providers often come from diverse cultural backgrounds. Embracing and celebrating this cultural richness can have numerous positive effects on child’s development.

Here are some compelling reasons why recognizing and appreciating cultural diversity in FFN caregiving is important for families:

1. Respect for Diversity: Our communities are a mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions. Culturally competent caregivers and families embrace this diversity, fostering an inclusive atmosphere for everyone.

2. Effective Communication: Understanding cultural nuances enhances communication between caregivers, children, and families. It promotes clear and empathetic interactions that strengthen relationships.

3. Tailored Care: Cultural competence allows caregivers to provide care that aligns with a child’s cultural context. This tailored approach can positively influence a child’s sense of identity and belonging.

Shared Cultural Backgrounds: Strengthening Bonds

In some beautiful instances, FFN providers share the same cultural background as the families they help. This connection can create an even more profound opportunity for your child to solidify their cultural identity. When FFN providers and child families come from the same cultural heritage, there’s a shared understanding of traditions, values, and language. This shared cultural experience can help children feel more connected to their roots, speak their native language fluently, and truly understand the richness of their own culture. It’s a heartwarming aspect of FFN caregiving that not only fosters cultural pride but also strengthens the bond between the caregiver, the child, and the family.

The Impact on Children

By actively embracing and celebrating the cultural richness of FFN providers, you provide your child with a profound opportunity for growth and enrichment. They will develop a broad worldview, cultural sensitivity, and a deep appreciation for the diverse world around them.

In the rich mosaic of early childhood education, FFN providers can be some of the the pieces that form the big picture of cultural understanding and acceptance. As families, let’s cherish and celebrate this diversity, recognizing the invaluable contributions that FFN providers make to our children’s lives.

Together, we can ensure that every child’s journey is enriched by the vibrant cultural tapestry that surrounds them, fostering a generation that truly appreciates and celebrates the beauty of diversity.

Jennifer’s Graduation Speech

by Jaimi Flores | Oct 29, 2023 | Child Care, ECE, FFN, Uncategorized

Jennifer’s Graduation Speech

A Tale of Passion and Empowerment

The journey of an early childhood educator is marked by determination, passion, and unwavering commitment. It’s a path filled with invaluable lessons and inspiring mentors that shape the educators of tomorrow. In this installment of our “Amplifying FFN Voices” series, we introduce you to Jennifer Chavez, a remarkable individual who embarked on her journey towards becoming an Early Childhood Educator with the help of the Providers Advancing Student Outcomes (PASO) program.

Jennifer’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education and the profound impact it can have on individuals, families, and communities. Her graduation speech encapsulates the essence of her journey, highlighting the role of her teacher, the significance of PASO, and her unwavering dedication to nurturing young minds. As we delve into Jennifer’s heartfelt words, we invite you to join us in celebrating the aspirations and accomplishments of future educators like her.

2023 Spring Graduation Speech

Good Afternoon fellow classmates or should I say fellow graduates, teachers, Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Staff members, families, and friends. My name is Jennifer Chavez and it is an honor to stand in front of you all. Class of 2023 we made it! So please take this opportunity and look at all of our classmates. I not only want you to celebrate each other and acknowledge all we have accomplished to this day. But also look at and remember these faces. These are the faces of winners, achievers, and lastly future Early Childhood Educators. I would also like to thank God for guiding us through all these steps we took to accomplish our goal in becoming successful Early Childhood Educators.  

  I want to thank my wonderful teacher Cesiah Hernandez. I am so grateful you were my instructor. You helped me see that I can be and do more in my career. You gave me the confidence and inspiration to dream big and fight for what I want. So thank you. I will always remember your beautiful smile especially when I deal with any of my students’ challenging behaviors. Advice you shared with me to succeed and that I am grateful for. My gratitude to you for all you have done, which I will never forget. I truly appreciate you and your time you spent helping me and my classmates on many occasions. Thank you very much for your time and passion for teaching this course. I enjoyed every minute of your lecture as well as your marvelous sense of humor and stories.

 I would also like to thank all of the administrators, coordinators, and all staff members that are part of Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition for providing us with PASO (Providers Advancing Student Outcomes). This course helped us become and prepare ourselves as educators to keep the children under our care safe, healthy, and educated before they transition into school.

 It is a pleasure to express my passion for teaching and becoming an Early Childhood Educator. In the words of Sidney Hook  “ Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system”. I want to be the teacher I needed as a child to support my students in becoming successful learners.  So that means advocating, teaching and modeling as I have been doing. I hope to continue to grow and achieve this with all the great experiences I gained through this course. Especially from all of the knowledge I obtained from the following theorists we learned from. Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive, comprehensive and physical development that begins in such valuable years of childhood. Erik Erikson who corresponds to Psychosocial Development. His role has taught us the emotional development in creating positive experiences and stable relationships to help children develop social skills, and create a concept of self and healthy self-esteem. Next, Lev Vygotsky with his theory in Sociocultural Development showed us how children acquire higher cognitive functions through interactions with the world that surrounds them.

 Our last theorist Lawrence Kohlberg. His theory helps us analyze and understand that every human being from an early age goes through different stages in which their thoughts and moral values are changing, depending on the stage where you are, you are influenced by culture and the environment. How interesting, right. As you can see we were born to make a difference. So classmates, so much we’ve learned, so much we’ve worked, So many Thursdays, So many Saturdays, our class had to meet, we will finally get a good weekend sleep! So class of 2023 the future awaits us. Before I leave you I’d like to say. In the words of Hannah Montana;” I always knew this day would come. We’d be standing one by one with our future in our hands. So many dreams, so many plans. I always knew after all these years, there’d be laughter, there’d be tears. But never thought I’d walk away with so much joy and so much pain”. So families, teachers, staff and friends please give a round of applause for our future Early Childhood Educators of Class 2023!

Jennifer Chavez

Jennifer Chavez’s graduation speech serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of programs like PASO in empowering Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers. It exemplifies the dedication and passion that FFN providers bring to their roles as early childhood educators, impacting the lives of children in profound ways.

As we applaud Jennifer’s achievements, let her story inspire us all to recognize the potential within FFN caregivers and the importance of supporting their educational journeys. The future of early childhood education is brighter when we empower individuals like Jennifer, who are committed to providing safe, nurturing, and enriching environments for the youngest members of our communities. Join us in amplifying the voices of FFN caregivers and celebrating their dedication to early childhood education.

The Power of FFN Providers

by Jaimi Flores | Oct 23, 2023 | Child Care, ECE, FFN, Policy, Uncategorized

The Power of FFN Providers

Unlocking the Potential of Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Providers Through PASO

The formative years of a child’s life are pivotal for their overall development and future success. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) have a profound impact on a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth. While childcare in licensed centers or licensed family childcare homes are valuable options, there exists another, often underestimated group of caregivers who wield tremendous influence: Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers.

FFN providers are individuals who extend childcare services within their homes or social circles for children in their families, in their neighborhoods or for their friends. This compassionate network of caregivers includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and close family friends. They serve as a lifeline for many families, particularly in underserved communities. Unfortunately, their pivotal role in early childhood education often escapes the notice of policymakers for investment in sustainability or professional development.

Enter the PASO (Provider advancing Student Outcomes) program, a transformative initiative from the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, that recognizes the significance of FFN providers in the early education ecosystem and empowers them to deliver high-quality care.

Empowering FFN Providers

PASO equips FFN providers with the training and resources necessary to offer developmentally appropriate care and education to the children under their care. Through PASO, these caregivers gain insights into child development, best practices in early education, and the science of creating enriching environments for young learners.

Promoting Equity

PASO serves as a powerful tool for promoting equity in early childhood education. Many FFN providers cater to children from marginalized communities, largely immigrant and refugee, families living with limited resources, children with disabilities, and in rural communities. By enhancing the quality of care they provide, PASO helps level the playing field for these youngsters.

Supporting Families

FFN providers are often trusted allies for the families they serve, especially for Dual Lanugage Learners (DLL) and children with disabilities. They offer culturally sensitive care that respects each child’s unique background and needs. PASO strengthens this bond by imparting FFN providers with the skills needed to effectively engage with families and connect them to additional community resources when necessary.

Why Policymakers Should Take Notice:

Expanding Access: By investing in training programs like PASO and other effective, community-based FFN training programs, policymakers ensure that FFN providers possess the skills and knowledge to provide outstanding care to children under their care. investing in the sustainability of FFN providers through thriving wages, materials, and access to subsidy programs will secure a strong early childhood network for years to come.

Improving Outcomes: Extensive research indicates that children who receive high-quality early education are more likely to excel in school and life. Supporting FFN providers through programs like PASO can lead to enhanced outcomes for the children they nurture, benefiting society as a whole.

Addressing Disparities: FFN providers often represent the sole affordable childcare option for many families, especially in low-income and rural communities. Recognizing and supporting FFN providers can help alleviate disparities in access to quality early education.

Economic Benefits: High-quality early childhood education has been associated with increased workforce participation and reduced reliance on social services. Policymakers can realize a return on investment by supporting FFN providers and ensuring they deliver quality care.

The PASO program transcends education; it signifies empowerment, equity, and an improved future for children and families. Policymakers wield a pivotal role in acknowledging the significance of FFN providers and supporting programs like PASO that enable these caregivers to offer top-tier early education.

Understanding the influence of FFN providers and the potential advantages of initiatives like PASO, policymakers can make informed decisions that benefit children, families, and society at large. Investing in early childhood education in all settings, including through FFN providers, amounts to an investment in a brighter future for all.

Transforming Child Care

by Jaimi Flores | Oct 14, 2023 | Child Care, FFN, Policy, Uncategorized

Transforming Child Care:

The Power of Systemic Change

The world of childcare has never been more critical and complex than it is today. It’s an essential service that millions of lives rely on, daily, from parents and caregivers to the little ones who depend on it for their early development, and employers who rely on a reliable workforce. Amidst all of the challenges our communities are facing, locally, nationally and even internationally, its easy to put this essential service on the back burner forgetting that nothing else gets the attention it needs when our professionals, our teachers, our doctors, our pilots, service sector employees and more are distracted with child care needs. It’s the cornerstone of a prosperous society. In this blog post, we’ll explore the profound impact of systemic change in child care and how it can shape a brighter future for us all.

The Current Child Care Landscape:

Before diving into the transformational journey, let’s first understand the lay of the land. Child care in the United States is at a crossroads. Families need child care to work, to support their child’s development, and to ensure their own financial stability. However, the existing childcare system is riddled with challenges, such as limited access, affordability issues, and real and percieved disparities in quality.

The Role of FFN Providers:

One significant facet of child care is Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care. These caregivers, often unsung heroes, play a critical role in supporting families, especially in communities with limited access to licensed care options. Their services are invaluable, providing trust, cultural relevance, and flexibility that many families require. These providers often fill the gap that exists in licensed care when families work non-traditional hours, or over the weekends.

Care in all settings it occurs must be resourced and supported. Child care is a system that the public relies on, and there for must become a public good. While we have been working diligently in supporting and uplifting a childcare sytem that meets the needs of our diverse and vibrant communities, we have a long way to go. Below we will highlight some of the successes we have achieved and share some of the areas where we still need improvements.

Systemic change is a multi-pronged approach to changing a system that works for some while leaving others behind. We must approach change as policymakers, government agencies, and community-based organizations through education, organizing, and policy led by those directly impacted, the FFN providers. We have demonstrated through the last 20 years that FFN providers want the absolute best for the children in their care.

We have been able to demonstrate as an organization by having trained over 3,500 FFN providers through our evidence-based FFN training program. By educating FFN providers on how to be high-quality child care providers that can provide both a safe and nurturing environment, children are better prepared to enter kindergarten. Through this work, we recognize that there is a desire among FFN providers to be connected to each other. Serving as an FFN provider can be an isolating profession. The Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition created an online networking space for FFN providers who complete the PASO program to stay connected, receive, and share resources. But this is not enough. There are thousands of FFN providers out there who are not connected. Thanks to the vision of FFN providers and organizations that serve FFN providers, we are launching the first FFN Hub to serve as a space for all FFN providers. This hub, generously sponsored by the City and County of Denver, will serve as a pilot that will hopefully prove successful and encourage other counties across the state to invest in.

Colorado’s policymakers have been hard at work passing policy in Colorado to strengthen our child care sector. These policies have streamlined zoning regulations for licensed childcare homes across the state, provided emergency sustainability dollars to licensed facilities, and have even created an entire state department to serve the childcare ecosystem. Policy in relation to FFN care has been to regulate the number of children in the care of providers from what used to only be 2 children to four children, and to require FFN providers to inform families that they are not licensed. While we firmly believe in transparency, we also believe that this further stigmatizes FFN providers. As we have already covered, FFN providers care for more than 60% of the children in Colorado and make up over 50% of providers in Colorado.

In 2022, thanks to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, Colorado for the first time ever chose to invest in the professional development of FFN providers instead of the continued stigmatization. Colorado policymakers voted on a $100 million investment in early childhood in SB22-213 and of that, $7.5 million was dedicated to supporting FFN care. This included the creation of an FFN coordinator at the state level, the creation of an advisory council, and grant dollars to FFN training organizations to support providers in their professional development and in materials and early learning supports. This is a huge milestone in the acceptance of Colorado’s true mixed delivery system, which is largely FFN care. Unfortunately, this FFN program, embedded in the new Colorado Department of Early Childhood, is only temporary as it was set up as a grant program funded through the ARPA dollars that expire in 2026. It is imperative that the state makes this program permanent as we know that not only will the need for FFN care continue, but it will also increase with the federal child care cliff.

When policymakers are deciding on investments in the child care sector, they must include investments in FFN care as well to ensure that the 60% of children who are in the care of these motivated, loving providers are receiving high-quality care as well.

Investing in FFN Childcare: An Economic Paradox

by Jaimi Flores | Oct 9, 2023 | FFN, Uncategorized

Investing in FFN Childcare: An Economic Paradox

The affordability of childcare is dependent on low wages and more often than not, no wages. This exists with center-based providers, home-based childcare providers and Friend Family and Neighbor care providers.

Let’s level set to make sure we all start on the same page. Here are the basic facts I believe we can all agree on:

Families need childcare in order to be able to work or go to school to advance their career goals, earn a living, pay their mortgage or rent, and purchase food and clothes for their family.
Our current child care industry is based on a model that is dependent on supply and demand, increasing barriers for low-income families from accessing care in licensed centers or licensed family child care homes.
FFN care is an often chosen source of care for families for many reasons including a trusted adult, continuity of care, cultural relevance, language spoken and affordability.
Rural, Black and Brown communities lack access to licensed care and rely on FFN care at a higher rate than their urban and suburban white peers.

In order for families to be able to work, earn a living, save money, and build a future for their children, they rely on an underpaid, highly skilled workforce. As a state, and as a country, we must support these families by also supporting the providers, those who work in licensed facilities and those who are FFN. This current model of the child care system allows some to succeed while holding others, those who we trust and rely on to care for those who are most precious to us, back. FFN providers, who are motivated by love for the family and children earn an average of less than $8,000 per year.

This economic paradox is even more prevalent in rural communities where access to licensed care options is even more limited. Families rely on their family, friends and neighbors.

We must rethink the child care model. We can no longer pretend that our next generation of workforce in STEM industries, in hospitality and tourism, in the legal fields, medicine, and teachers, will simply show up. They must be developed and it must start at age zero. We must be willing to transform our early childhood system from a privatized model with minimal margins to a public good that supports the essential shield care providing workforce with thriving wages and benefits. We must incest in our future by supporting our childcare providers today, especially our FFN providers.