NPLI was proud to join the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) for its 2026 Annual Conference, held July 16–18 in the Chicago area.
Centered on the theme “Building Bridges, Raising Voices, Shaping Futures,” the conference brought family child care educators, advocates, partners, and leaders from across the country together to learn, connect, and strengthen the future of family child care.
NPLI is a partner in NAFCC’s Leaders Shaping Leaders (LSL) Fellows Academy, a year-long leadership development program designed specifically for family child care educators. During the conference, NPLI and NAFCC staff co-led an information session about the program and connected with educators interested in future cohorts.
The conference also offered an opportunity to celebrate 28 graduates from the 2025–26 National Cohort V and 10 graduates from the inaugural Louisiana LSL cohort. NPLI’s Betty Sánchez welcomed graduates into the broader NPLI and PLTI community and recognized their growth as family child care professionals and civic leaders.
From Advocate to Architect
NPLI’s Janine McMahon and Betty Sánchez also presented “From Advocate to Architect: Building Power, Partnerships, and Community Voice in At-Home Early Childhood Systems.”
The interactive session explored how family child care educators can build on the leadership they already demonstrate every day and use their experiences, relationships, and knowledge to influence the systems around them.
Through storytelling, activities, and real-life scenarios, participants explored ways to turn lived experience into action, build stronger community partnerships, and connect with families, neighbors, local leaders, and policymakers.
The workshop reflected the larger goal behind NPLI’s partnership with NAFCC: connecting professional development with civic leadership so family child care educators have more opportunities to help shape the policies and systems that affect their businesses, families, and communities.
The Leaders Shaping Leaders Fellows Academy pairs established and emerging family child care leaders for a year of learning, mentorship, advocacy, business development, and community-based leadership. Family child care educators interested in future cohorts can learn more through NAFCC or contact professionaldevelopment@nafcc.org.
We’re grateful for our continued partnership with NAFCC and proud to celebrate the family child care leaders who are raising their voices, strengthening their communities, and helping shape what comes next.
