Minnesota’s childcare system is complex and precarious. While we support permanent state and federal investments to transform the early care and education mixed delivery system, we must ensure that transformation truly meets the needs of all kinds of parents and children.
For Voices & Choices, advancing equity means recognizing and supporting care models that are often invisible to—or devalued by—traditional policy. That is why we are staunch supporters of efforts that includes and honors Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care.
FFN care is a crucial equity stance. It is disproportionately utilized by immigrant and low-income families who rely on trusted networks and culturally specific support. If we are serious about achieving racial equity, we cannot impose a single standardized model; we must support the diverse forms of care that fully affirm cultural background, race, ability and experience.
A policy framework that fails to honor FFN care risks deepening the very equity gaps we are fighting to close.
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