Early Edge’s Advocacy Day with Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers from the California Leading From Home Program
On June 26th, Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers from the California Leading From Home (LFH) Program participated in an advocacy day in the state capitol. This event marked a significant milestone, as it was the first experience in formal advocacy for these caregivers. Over the course of the 12-month program, these FFN leaders developed an understanding of the California policy landscape surrounding license-exempt home-based care. Armed with this knowledge, they met with legislative and committee offices of the California State Legislature in Sacramento to advocate for issues affecting the care and services they provide to their communities and to offer recommendations on how FFN caregivers can be better supported through policy.
Watch our recap videos of the California Leading From Home Advocacy Day below.
The agenda for the day included visits to seven legislative and policy committee offices, including the offices of Assemblymember Corey Jackson, Asemblymember Nguyen, Assemblymember Luz Rivas, Assemblymember Gomez Reyes, Senator Menjivar, Senator Limón and with the Assembly Committee on Human Services chaired by Assemblymember Alex Lee. Equipped with a list of policy issues they had developed collectively, the FFN leaders drew from their diverse personal experiences to paint a comprehensive picture of the FFN caregiving landscape. They highlighted key issues such as the need for better access to subsidies and increased wages, improved navigation to resources and supports, more opportunities for professional development and training, assistance in pathways to obtaining licensure, and representation in the development of the state’s new alternative rate methodology. Although they had just met in person for the first time earlier that morning, the FFN leaders were aligned and fluid, building upon one another’s comments to create a unified and compelling message.
Throughout the day, the FFN leaders gained valuable insights, with the most surprising and impactful realization being the genuine sense of being heard during their meetings. Despite months of preparation, they did not expect their words to resonate so deeply. Each meeting presented the FFNs with a captivated audience that actively listened and engaged with their ideas. Weaving their diverse personal experiences into a narrative on the unique needs of FFN caregivers throughout the state, the caregivers received similar post-meeting reactions from legislators and legislative staff, such as, “I didn’t know about FFN caregivers until this meeting,” and “I’ve been cared for by an FFN in my life, who I care about deeply.”
Another important takeaway for the FFNs was the recognition of the need to continue advocacy efforts. Learning throughout the day that they were among the first license-exempt caregivers to visit the legislature to advocate for FFN child care, they realized the importance of ongoing education and advocacy to uplift license-exempt caregivers. This realization was further emphasized by the shared sentiment of community among the FFNs, which they were able to express more authentically in-person.
Miren Algorri, an experienced child care provider and advocate who has been a mentor to the FFNs throughout the entire program and accompanied them on their advocacy day, shared her thoughts with the cohort, “The impact of your words and the passion behind them were palpable. You effectively communicated the vital role FFN caregivers play in our economy and in nurturing the well-being of children in our communities. Your advocacy has undoubtedly made a significant impression on our legislators.”
Early Edge California is proud to have supported the FFN leaders of the California Leading From Home program on their first advocacy day, and give special thanks to the program’s mentors, Deborah Young and Miren Algorri, for preparing and supporting the caregivers in the process.
The California Leading from Home (LFH) Program, is a 12-month program which seeks to support Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers in developing their advocacy skills and helps them establish grassroots support networks within their communities. These monthly Community of Practice (CoP) gatherings aim to foster mutual learning and collaboration, empowering these caregivers to elevate their voices and needs within their local communities and across the state. The purpose of LFH is to invest in and empower FFN caregivers, enabling them to inform policymakers about the importance of FFN child care and what is needed to support them in their caregiving. The cohort members also receive a monthly stipend for their participation and commitment to the program.