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BENEFITS, STABILITY, AND THE FUTURE OF FAMILY CHILD CARE: BUILDING REAL ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND RETIREMENT

Presented by:

May 21, 2026

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MEET THE EXPERTS

Mario Cardona

EdCounsel

Erica Phillips Executive Director

Francia Wisnewski

Director of Membership

Marisa Schlieber

Erikson Institute

Yessika Magdeleno

FCC Educator

Daphne Alsiyao

Policy Strategist

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The Federal Child Care Landscape

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Key Developments

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    • Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act passed the House unanimously
      • Extends educator expense tax deductions to early childhood educators
    • Rural child care investments advancing through Farm Bill proposals
      • Expands USDA support for child care in rural communities
    • CCDF Final Rule rolled back 2024 federal payment protections
      • States may continue stable payment practices, but are no longer federally required to
    • Ongoing federal focus on “fraud” and oversight
      • Could increase administrative burden on small providers

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State of Affairs

Daphne Alsiyao: Policy Strategist, NAFCC

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Naming the Reality

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    • What has changed, and what does it mean for FCC
    • Documentation Burden
    • Income Fluctuation
    • Eligibility Barriers
    • Work Requirements
    • Coverage Instability

Medicaid and Family Child Care: Key Challenges

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Discussion Panel

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Need to Know Info

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Decouple Benefits from Traditional Employment

    • Paid leave programs that include self-employed workers
    • Healthcare eligibility that reflects fluctuating income
    • Portable benefits that stay with the worker

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Examples

    • California, Massachusetts, and Washington paid leave opt-in programs
    • Flexible Medicaid eligibility pathways
    • Federal portable benefits proposals

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Policy Levers to Expand Access

Daphne Alsiyao: NAFCC

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Policy Levers to Expand Access

Portable & Income-Responsive Benefits

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Access is not true access if the cost of benefits is out of reach.

    • State auto-IRA programs
      • OregonSaves
      • Illinois Secure Choice
    • State retirement matching contributions
    • Sliding-scale healthcare subsidies
    • Tiered paid leave contributions

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Daphne Alsiyao: NAFCC

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Policy Levers to Expand Access

Collective Solutions Create Stronger Access

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Pooled & Shared Models

    • Shared services alliances
    • Group insurance purchasing
    • Substitute pools and emergency relief funds
    • Administrative and enrollment support
    • Example: Child Care Providers United secured healthcare stipends and retirement contributions

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Daphne Alsiyao: NAFCC

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Policy Levers to Expand Access

Policymakers Should Invest In

    • Benefits navigators and technical assistance
    • Community-based outreach through trusted organizations
    • Infrastructure that helps educators actually use benefits systems

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Systems CAN be redesigned — BUT they will only improve if you are shaping them.

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Daphne Alsiyao: NAFCC

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We Are Family Child Care 2025 Regional Emmy® Nominee

SPOTLIGHT NAFCC BENEFITS

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NAFCC Benefits

    • Family child care well-being (HealthCare Navigator, Retirement Benefits, Dental Insurance)​
    • Professional Development Partners ​
    • Tax Coaching and Business Support​
    • Family Child Care Leadership ​
    • FCC Associations as Affiliates​
    • Partner organizations that provide member support and discounts

Francia Wisnewski

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Become a Member!

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State-wide Advocacy

National Advocacy

Narrative Strategy

GET INVOLVED

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CONNECT WITH US

Edelaney@nafcc.org

DAlsiyao@nafcc.org

Policy@nafcc.org

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