Written by Angela Garcia, Massachusetts Educator-Led Communities of Care (ELCC) Program Manager at SEIU Education & Support Fund, this reflection challenges traditional ideas of professionalism in early childhood education. Through the stories of Family Child Care Educators, Angela illustrates how caregiving, self-care, community, and humanity are inseparable from high-quality early learning and sustainable family child care businesses.
Read MoreWritten by Kursten Holabird, Executive Director of SEIU Education & Support Fund, this reflection examines the transformative journey from caregiver to worker. Through the story of a Family Child Care provider who became a union leader, Kursten explores how recognizing care work as skilled labor empowers educators to organize, advocate for economic justice, and reshape the future of the child care workforce.
Read MoreWritten by Rosangela Ramos, Associate Director of Rhode Island Child Care Programs at SEIU Education & Support Fund, this reflection explores the power of Educator-Led Communities of Care and the transformative leadership of Family Child Care Educators. Through stories of peer learning, advocacy, and community-building, Rosangela highlights how educators' lived experiences become powerful tools for supporting and uplifting one another.
Read MoreWritten by Shirley X. Moore, founder of Be Moore Interpreting and senior pastor of Fortified Life Church, this reflection explores the entrepreneurial strength of family child care providers. Drawing on her work supporting providers through business training and professional development, Shirley highlights how these educators manage sustainable businesses, support families, anchor communities, and reclaim their value as small business owners and leaders.
Read MoreWritten by Sarah Fowler, Chief Program Officer at the SEIU Education & Support Fund, this reflection highlights the essential role Family Child Care Educators play in early learning and development. Drawing on her experience as both a parent and educator, Sarah challenges the idea that this work is simply “babysitting” and affirms the deep expertise, relationships, and care these educators bring every day.
Read MoreThe 2025 WEPA conference brought together over 200 family child care educators from across the country for a powerful, bilingual event focused on growth, community, and entrepreneurial success. Explore highlights and read the full WEPA Magazine.
Read MoreWhat happens when educators are positioned not just as contributors, but as leaders? Reflections on educator-led work, shared leadership, and designing spaces where lived experience drives real change.
Read MoreFamily child care educators aren’t “resisting” technology—they’re navigating a digital access and skills gap. This piece calls for equitable design, funded tech assistance, and ongoing 1:1 and group support so educators can confidently use online systems without being pushed out of the field.
Read MoreBorn from a powerful moment of connection, Me Cuido, Te Cuido is a four-session reflective training that helps educators strengthen self-care so they can better care for children and families. Blending mindset, conversation, and simple practices, it invites teachers to pause, reset, and reconnect with their purpose—first as people, then as professionals.
Read MoreThe SEIU Education & Support Fund (ESF) is proud to announce the launch of a new Fast Food Worker pilot program in collaboration with SEIU. This groundbreaking initiative will deliver bilingual, interactive Know Your Rights trainings to fast food workers across Los Angeles County, empowering workers with the tools they need to protect themselves and their coworkers from wage theft, unsafe working conditions, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
Read MoreThe U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) proudly announces the graduation of 28 custodians from the Green Janitor Health Certification program in King County, Washington. Celebrated on September 13 at the Chinook Building in downtown Seattle, this milestone highlights a commitment to sustainability and community well-being. The Green Janitor program equips custodial staff with critical skills in sustainable facility management, including energy efficiency, green cleaning practices, waste management, and LEED certification knowledge. By empowering janitors, the program enhances indoor air quality, reduces chemical exposure, and promotes healthier, more sustainable spaces. Discover how this initiative is transforming custodial roles and advancing sustainability in building operations.
Read MoreWe are thrilled to announce that the SEIU Education & Support Fund (ESF) has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Safer Choice Partner of the Year for 2024. This prestigious award highlights our dedication to safer chemical use and healthier workplaces. Through our Green Janitor Health Certification program, we’ve trained over 300 SEIU janitors across six states, empowering them with the knowledge to advocate for safer cleaning practices. Learn more about our commitment to sustainability and worker safety in the EPA’s official press release.
Read MoreMassachusetts Invests $1.4M in Early Education Workforce Through Apprenticeships: The Healey-Driscoll Administration has partnered with SEIU-ESF and others to address early childhood educator shortages by investing in Registered Apprenticeships. This $1.4 million initiative will provide hands-on training, paid work experience, and credentials for aspiring educators, supporting center-based and family child care programs across the state. The program aims to create pathways to licensure and boost the early education workforce, ensuring access to affordable, high-quality care for families.
Read MoreThe RI Child Care Training Program is seeking a seasoned Spanish-English bilingual marketing and web developer consultant to utilize culturally responsive practices in creating aligned promotional materials for 350 Family Child Care (FCC) educators and the platform on which to host these materials for their consumers.
Read MoreDISTRICT 1199C TRAINING & UPGRADING FUND AWARDED DEPT. OF LABOR CONTRACT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SEIU EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FUND and H-CAP!
Read MoreWe have some exciting news regarding a new Training Grant Program for Local 509 SEIU workers. The SEIU Local 509 - Commonwealth Human Service Workers and Educators Training and Professional Development Fund strives to be worker-centered in all that we do. As part of that commitment, the Board of Trustees have voted to approve a budget of $220,000 to support a training grant program that will provide funding to sponsor unique group training opportunities for our workers.
Read MoreAre you looking to polish your professional skills and expand your knowledge? Do you want to become a supervisor and need more information? Are you interested in learning strategies to improve your rapport with clients and provide quality services? Whatever your career development goals are, we are here to help.
Read MoreThe following free workshops are open to CA License-Exempt Childcare Providers (also known as Family, Friend & Neighbor Providers).
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