In a field that has been defined by urgency and reaction, particularly in the first week of 2026, CCRC President Donna Sneeringer, centered her opening remarks on staying grounded among all the chaos whether that’s through music, books, movies, or time with loved ones. “The work that we do is about humans, connection, and attachment. And we need you. Find your safe spaces and take care of each other. Don’t let them make you numb.”
CCRC’s Securing the Future for California Families two-day sold-out conference brought together advocates, educators, non-profits, and leading experts to engage in critical and motivating discussions around early learning and child care issues that matter most for children and families. Sessions revolved around four main pillars: economic stability, health equity, partnerships, and policy and advocacy. Throughout the event key themes came up including amplifying family stories, aligning systems and policies that work and help real people, and showing up as a united front – because we’re all in this together.
“You are the caregivers of the caregivers that’s a tremendous responsibility,” said Donna Sneeringer to our over 250 attendees. “While much of what we discuss will be heavy, we have to make sure to take care of ourselves in order to help our children, families, and child care providers.
“What’s happening in Washington: The Federal Policy Outlook for California Children and Families”.
Moderated by CCRC Government Relations Manager Patrick MacFarlane, the panelists consisted of Michael Yudin, Principal at Raben, Anne Hedgepeth, Senior Vice President of Policy & Research at Child Care Aware of America, and Stephanie Schmit, Director of Child Care and Early Education at the Center for Law and Social Policy.
Panelists encouraged the audience to keep the conversation going around the importance of child care and early learning. “Really encourage members to hold the line – it is working, it is imperfect but there is something there.” Anne Hedgepeth.
Showing the impact through quantitative numbers and the qualitative stories is even more important. “Compelling data that resonates revolves around the (un)affordability of care, on access, who is eligible.” Stephanie Schmit. “Make the case for children, families, and child care providers by sharing data on what impact additional funding can have or how have policy provisions shifted the course of families lives.”
Keynote Presentation – Raise the Barr Foundation
The event’s keynote, on Day 2, was presented by Co-Founders Lori and Anthony Barr of The Raise the Barr Foundation. They spoke about the importance of aligning policies that ensure student parents have a support system they can rely on.
As a student parent herself, Lori Barr experienced first-hand the struggles of balancing being a single parent, going to work, and completing college coursework, all while navigating the independent public systems meant to help. “30 years ago, there weren’t a lot of single parents or a community of support. For me missing class meant falling behind and I didn’t have that luxury.”
20% of college students across the nation are student parents and over half of those are single mothers.
“Families don’t fail systems. Systems fail families. Stability should be important to help our children learn, grow, feel care for, loved and be able to create.” Anthony Barr, grew up surrounded by family and a support system he could rely on. Lack of access to these support systems have a real impact to families. “Lost classes could lead to unstable housing and lost wages.”
Knowing the barriers that come as a student parent, Lori and Anthony set out to bridge the systems needed to ensure student parents get the support they need and established The Raise the Barr Foundation. Its model aligns housing stability, child care access, and education and workforce pathways to ensure student parents have a strong support system that they can rely on as they progress through school and secure employment.
Building Media Partnerships Lunch Plenary
“We have to start seeing ourselves as a system that supports children and families at a time when they are most vulnerable and we need to be strategic in our messaging.” CCRC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Michael Olenick set the tone for Day 2 lunch plenary “Changing the Narrative: Using Media to Educate Others About Children and Families.”
Connie Leyva, Executive Director at KVCR and Former State Senator, spoke on building those personal relationships with local public media. “Personal stories and backing them up with data is incredibly important. When reaching out to reporters, or PBS stations, have a message and an ask ready”, said Connie Leyva, “most offer free or cheaper advertising rates than traditional [news] media.”
Cristina Alvarado, Executive Director of Child Care Alliance Los Angeles, shared about the work A Golden State Alliance is doing to amplify local child care provider and family stories in the age of digital media. “Personal stories from families and child care providers make the value of child care more emotional and widely resonant.” The organization media trains its spokespeople to ensure that personal stories can be shared without losing the message, and business leaders can speak on child care and the economic impacts to their community.
Recharge and reflect
“Don’t worry about a thing. Cause every little thing is gonna be alright.” Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds.
Conferences like these allow for a chance to reflect, recharge, and get right back to work. We are grateful to the community of leaders who engaged throughout the event and we look forward to next year.
CCRC’s 2026 Securing the Future for California Families policy conference is brought to you by Child Care Resource Center now celebrating 50 years of service. We’d like to thank our sponsors: First 5 California, First 5 Los Angeles, First 5 San Bernardino, and the Raise the Barr Foundation for helping make this event possible.
If you were unable to attend this year’s conference, please take a look at our event recap video below:
For more information about our advocacy efforts, you can visit our legislative page on our website. Stay up to date with all of the latest news and stories around early childhood education by subscribing to our e-newsletter.