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Empowering Voices, Strengthening Family Child Care: Highlights from the 6th Annual WEPA Conference

On Saturday, June 7th, the SEIU Education & Support Fund (ESF-RI), a training fund collectively bargained to serve family child care educators in the state, hosted its sixth annual We Empower Providers Assembly (WEPA). That morning, the Providence Marriott Downtown was filled with excitement, purpose and possibilities as close to 200 Rhode Island family child care educators came together to discuss entrepreneurial success, early education and how these are all influenced by self care. For the first time, WEPA had a national presence with educators from Massachusetts, Connecticut and as far as California joining the convening meant to uplift the voices and needs of their communities. 

For the unfamiliar, family child care educators (FCCEs) are licensed early childhood professionals who operate high-quality programs out of their own homes, often serving mixed-age groups in nurturing, culturally rooted environments. Deeply embedded in their communities (primarily in the cities of Providence, Cranston, Central Falls, Pawtucket & Johnston), they provide essential care for working families, offering flexible hours, personalized attention, and long-term relationships that support children’s development. These educators wear many hats: entrepreneur, teacher, administrator, and advocate yet for a long time  they worked in isolation, without access to the same resources or recognition as larger child care centers, and without the accolades they deserved. 

WEPA was created in 2020 as a way to combat those persistent issues that educators had been expressing for decades. In its design, the conference is a welcoming, FCC-centered and led event hosted in Spanish with English interpretation and the only one of its kind in New England. This year, 20 educators led and facilitated breakout sessions centered on three imperative topics: program values; the influence of brand, image, and thoughtful marketing; and the critical role of self-care in shaping all of these elements and, ultimately, in driving entrepreneurial success. As a conference created for educators by educators, it is crucial that they continue to lead these important conversations and foster a space where connection, problem-solving, and meaningful dialogue can thrive. 

In recognition of the unique roles and needs of family child care educator assistants, for the second year, the conference included a dedicated breakout room specifically for them. These professionals often work behind the scenes but play a vital role in the daily operations, culture, and quality of care in home-based programs. By creating a space just for assistants, WEPA ensures they have the opportunity to share their experiences, access targeted resources, and connect with others in similar roles. The session honored their contributions while also offering tools and conversations tailored to their specific challenges and aspirations. 

Last but not least important, community partners from ten local organizations – SEIU 1199NE, RI DHS, the Center for Early Learning Professionals, SUCCESS, CCRI, RIAEYC, the RI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Neighborhood Health Plan, and URI SNAP-Ed – joined the conversation to actively listen to educator needs and share resources. Their collaboration underscored a shared commitment to supporting early childhood educators and strengthening the broader care and education ecosystem. This intentional inclusion reflects WEPA’s commitment to recognizing the full ecosystem of early education and to ensuring that everyone, no matter their title, feels seen, heard, and empowered.

This platform is hosted by the SEIU Education & Support Fund on behalf of the family child care educators covered under the collective bargaining agreement between SEIU1199NE and the RI Department of Human Services.
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