Childcare Voters Day of Action

My name is Loretta Johnson, I am a licensed home child care provider in Dove Springs in southeast Austin and I’m the proud president of Childcare Professionals of Greater Austin. I’ve been working in child care since 1999. I’ve closed my doors every year since 2022 for Community Change Action’s Day Without Child Care to advocate for change and make sure everyone feels that child care is essential.

We are the workforce behind the workforce and since I’ve been working in child care, things have never been this bad.

That’s why I am leading more strategic campaigns in my community to secure local funding for providers like me in Travis County, TX. We are urging everyone to Vote YES on Prop A this election for Affordable Childcare Today! Join me on October 23,2024 as we phonebank Travis County residents to be a childcare voter.

I’m Claudia, a family childcare provider in Lawrenceville, GA. My journey into childcare advocacy began when I attended an event organized by another Childcare Changemaker, Unique Clay, for Community Change Action’s Day Without Child Care. I was inspired by her leadership and the passion of the other advocates there. 

Initially, I was quiet and kept to myself, unsure of how to engage. But Childcare Changemakers kept reaching out, encouraging me to embrace the leader I didn’t see in myself, so I decided to step up. As I learned more about the challenges faced by childcare providers and families like myself, I realized I could be a part of something meaningful. This was my chance to connect with my community and challenge myself to be more involved. 

I’m excited to work alongside others who care about improving our childcare system and advocating for our families. For our voters day of action, I’ll be sharing information about Community Change Action’s Congressional Child Care Report Card to make sure Georgia voters are informed about what their Congresspeople have done on childcare policy.

My name is Ms. Unique Clay and I’m a childcare provider of 28 years in Mableton, GA serving Cobb County. Earlier this year in May, many national and state educators stood in solidarity, closed their childcare programs and rallied across our country to advocate for higher wages, an equitable childcare system, and affordable childcare for all families. Educators are emerging once again with a National Day of Action, we are engaging Georgians everywhere to register to vote and Be a Child Care Voter! According to The Century Foundation, 81,716 Georgia children set to lose child care and  944 child care programs expected to close unless the child care industry receives critical funding. Congress could pass $16 billion in emergency funding to stop this crisis! We will continue rallying to keep the momentum as I organize our 2nd Annual Grayson Pointe Neighborhood Block Party at Unique’s Early Development Center, LLC Sunday October 20th from 1pm-4pm. Join us!

My name is Mz. Kelly Dawn Jones, owner of L.O.V.E. Your Child’s Care in Indianapolis, IN. I’m standing up for my daughter Bella Marie who is passionate about child care. As a family childcare provider, I started my career not being able to find care when Bella was just a baby. I didn’t have the resources needed so I created L.O.V.E. to help myself and other families in my community. But it shouldn’t be so hard for families like mine to find care! 

That’s why, I am taking action and getting out the vote across Indiana! We need child care for all and thriving wages for providers like me.

Hi, I’m Vernessa, but my grandkids call me MiMi! I never imagined that my Master’s in Infant and Child Development would lead me to a fulfilling role as a caregiver in my retirement. Four years ago, my daughter called, asking for help with her boys. My husband and I relocated to Dallas, thinking it would be temporary, but then our family grew. I found myself deeply involved in my grandkids’ lives, especially my youngest, Chey. Together, we created the “Mobile Mimi and Tay on the Go Experience,” exploring everything from the Dallas Zoo to local parks. 

Through this journey, I learned how vital quality family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) childcare arrangements are—they are just as essential to the childcare system as licensed providers. Care work is real work, whether it’s done at home, in a center, at a church, or by a family member. I’ve witnessed firsthand how it can shape a child’s development, and I’m passionate about advocating for better childcare resources so every family can provide safe and enriching environments for their children. 

I’ll be tabling at the 2025 Annual Harambee Festival in Dallas to share information about Community Change Action’s Congressional Child Care Report Card and how Texas Congresspeople scored on childcare policy. And we’ll have insights on the upcoming Senate race between Ted Cruz and Colin Allred.

I’m Brigitte, and I own and operate A Better Day CLC, a family childcare program. My journey with Childcare Changemakers began when I witnessed leaders in action during Community Change Action’s Day Without Child Care. It struck me how essential our work is, especially during the pandemic, yet how quickly support can fade away. 

Since joining Childcare Changemakers in 2021, I’ve wanted to bring more awareness to my community, but I didn’t have the right team around me. Now, as a childcare voter captain, I have the chance to make a tangible difference and combat voter suppression tactics by helping my community get out the vote. 

I’m excited to engage children and families in Grovetown, GA, through a trunk or treat event where I’ll share information about Community Change Action’s Congressional Child Care Report Card to make sure Georgians know who’s with us on child care. Together, we can empower our community and ensure child care remains a priority.

My name is Jemie and I am the proud owner of TRS 4-star Licensed Family Childcare Jemie Johnson-Vaughn’s 24/7 Childcare. I have been serving the southeast Austin/Dove Springs community for over 37 years. I am excited to be a childcare voter captain and share important information with the families and other educators in my community so we can change childcare in Texas. We need gap funding and affordable child care today and the Prop A ballot measure will help us do that in Travis County, TX! We have what it takes to win!

 I’m Caroline J. Fulpher and I have been in the child care world for well over 30 years. I am a Childcare Changemaker leader in my county of Dekalb in the great state of Georgia. I have had the opportunity to work with several childcare facilities and hear the concerns of the owners, directors, staff and  parents/guardians of our little ones. Though I just recently moved back to the Atlanta area, I have operated and worked in childcare services across the  country. 

I will continue going to the  Capital and keeping pressure on our local officials, as well as those whom we send  to Washington DC to strongly pass bills that will be a benefit for all childcare facilities, especially family owned home care. 

So, I am willing to reach out to establishments within my county and speak with  owners and parents about the importance of Voting in this Election but also the  importance of voting for right folks at the local, state levels that will be standing  up for better Childcare, Elderly Care laws.

Thank you for creating a platform where the voices of the voiceless can be heard  loud and clear. I am a License Director in the Childcare World, but I am a  Grand-Godmother of 2 babies that I have to take care of from time to time.  This is my passion.

I’m Shineal Hunter, a 4th generation childcare provider! I have been advocating and organizing across PA with Childcare Changemakers since the beginning and I won’t stop until we win a better childcare system that pays providers like me their true worth because our economy runs on child care! 

I’m hosting events with parents, providers and supporters to make sure we educate and mobilize this election to keep childcare a priority on all levels of government!