On June 26th we had an insightful and engaging online conversation hosted by the Donnell-Kay Foundation, featuring State Representative Lorena Garcia. We delved into the crucial role of Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) early childhood caregivers in Colorado, discussed the strides we’ve made, and explored what still needs to be done.
FFN caregivers are the backbone of our early childhood system, yet they have often been the furthest from support and the least connected to vital resources. Thankfully, Colorado has made significant strides in recent years, including current legislative wins, to support these essential caregivers. In this online conversation we did the following:
- Celebrated victories that have bolstered FFN care in Colorado.
- Heard directly from Representative Garcia who has championed FFN care in her roles as a member of the State of Colorado House of Representatives and as the CEO of the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition (CSPC).
- Discussed the state of FFN support in Colorado, highlighting recent policy wins and exploring the future needs and challenges.
- Engaged in a real-time Q&A session with attendees and Representative Garcia.
About the Speaker: Representative Lorena Garcia
Lorena Garcia has dedicated over fifteen years to leading non-profit social justice policy advocacy organizations, championing equity, dignity, and justice for marginalized communities. Her impactful career spans from grassroots organizing to legislative advocacy, including running programs through CSPC that provide training and resources for FFN caregivers. Representative Garcia’s commitment to building up the dignity of disenfranchised communities is unwavering, and her legislative achievements, such as wage transparency and family leave protections, have set new standards for Colorado.
Read more about Representative Garcia’s inspiring journey and accomplishments on LinkedIn.
Recordings of the event are in both English and Spanish and background information can found below:
Written By: Sarah Johnson
Sarah Johnson is an educational entrepreneur, novice farmer, and mother to two DPS children. She believes that education can be...
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