Rita Pierson
At Workforce Solutions Consortium (WSC), we are a dedicated collective of family childcare providers, parents and affiliated businesses committed to serving the childcare industry. What sets us apart is our independence – unlike many organizations, we do not rely on state or federal funding. Instead, we are sustained by the invaluable support of family childcare sector and our vendor partners. Proudly headquartered in Erie County, we stand as the sole organization exclusively championing the interests of family childcare providers in legislative and regulatory matters.
Our diverse membership includes licensed family childcare providers, encompassing single and multi-site businesses, as well as family and group family daycare programs, all spanning various settings and communities. This diversity fuels our strength and capacity to advocate effectively for the family childcare sector.
The beginning of Workforce Solutions Consortium dates back to 2019 when Diane Abram and three visionary licensed family daycare providers joined forces. Our primary mission is to unite like-minded individuals who share a profound interest in childcare, creating a dynamic platform for the exchange of ideas and insights. At WSC, we champion a multifaceted agenda, including advocacy for quality childcare, equitable wages, and robust representation of family daycare providers in dialogues with lawmakers, businesses, and the broader community.
Our commitment extends to the education and empowerment of family daycare providers in the realm of advocacy. We offer mentorship programs designed to uphold the highest standards of care, nurturing the holistic development of children, encompassing their physical, intellectual, emotional, and social well-being.
As we write the ongoing history of WSC, each day brings new chapters filled with opportunities for positive change and growth. We wholeheartedly invite you to join us, not only as an observer but as an active participant in shaping the future of family childcare. Together, we can continue to elevate the standards of early childhood education and care.
At Workforce Solutions Consortium, our core mission is to be a powerful advocate for licensed family childcare providers within our state. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities that family childcare providers face, and we are dedicated to representing their interests before legislative and regulatory bodies. Our goal is to ensure that the voices of family childcare providers are heard and valued in decision-making processes that impact the industry.
One of our key roles is to serve as a liaison between family childcare providers and the various agencies and regulatory bodies that oversee the childcare industry. We actively engage in meetings, forums, and discussions with these entities to stay informed about the latest policies, regulations, and developments. This allows us to ask pertinent questions, seek clarification, and share critical information with our members. We take pride in being a trusted source of knowledge and guidance for family childcare providers.
One unique aspect of our organization is our ability to ask questions on behalf of our members while maintaining their anonymity. We understand that some questions or concerns may be sensitive, and we are here to ensure that they are addressed without fear of repercussions. This commitment to confidentiality underscores our dedication to serving the best interests of our members.
Looking ahead, our vision is to empower family childcare providers with the tools and knowledge they need to provide high-quality care to children and families. We believe that efficient operational systems are essential to achieving this goal. By equipping providers with the resources and support they need, we aim to elevate the status of family childcare providers as valued partners within the broader childcare delivery system.
As we continue to write the history of Workforce Solutions Consortium, we invite you to be an integral part of our journey. Together, we can shape the future of family childcare, advocate for positive change, and ensure that every child receives the highest standard of early care and education.
Founded in August 2019, we partnered with the Western New York Child Care Action Team (WNYCCAT), engaged with the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), local and state representatives, and garnered media attention through radio and TV coverage. We also addressed concerns with the county's childcare subsidy program and advocated for providers to receive compensation during COVID-related absent days.
During this period, we organized regular Zoom meetings with family daycare providers, joined the Erie County Emergency Task Force and ESC, advocated for virtual learning, and orchestrated a Providers Day of Action, culminating in Advocacy Day in February 2021.
Our efforts extended to the NYC Park Avenue Childcare Rally, Action Day participation, meetings with the Buffalo Public School Superintendent regarding Universal Pre-K (UPK), and visits to three daycares as part of Senator Brisport's Universal Childcare Tour. We also facilitated family daycare focus groups for Cornell University's Cost of Care survey.
In recent times, we launched an online petition to ensure childcare workers receive a living wage, amassing over 40,000 signatures. Our commitment to advocacy led to a speaking engagement at the NYS Senate Childcare hearing, and we actively networked with other childcare advocacy groups and organizations.
Our mission is to foster the success of licensed family daycare providers by championing quality early care and education. We strive to promote family daycare as an exceptional choice for superior early care and education, advocating for positive policy changes.
We aim to cultivate a sense of family within our community of Family Day Care Providers, equipping them with the essential tools for policy improvement. Through continuous technical support and professional development, we elevate awareness of family childcare as a unique and excellent option for quality childhood education and care.
We firmly believe that every child deserves access to the highest standards of early care and education. Our mission is to educate and advocate for sustainable policies and practices that benefit young children and early childcare educators. We proudly represent quality, licensed family daycare providers as essential partners in delivering high-quality, affordable childcare.
Workforce Solutions Consortium
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