STEPS Policy Briefs

Professional Development for Family Child Care Providers

STEPS is a comprehensive professional development training program designed to increase immigrant and refugee family child care (FCC) providers’ skills related to operating a successful business. Services are provided by trusted ethnic community-based organizations (ECBOs) and cultural navigators who share providers’ cultural and linguistic heritage. Evaluation data collected over the course of 4 years and 14 cohorts consistently demonstrate the efficacy of the STEPS program and its approach to professional development. Over two hundred STEPS providers have completed the 14-week training series, created a business plan, and increased or sustained their enrollment. Importantly, STEPS providers feel confident in their ability to continue to strengthen their business practices and provide quality child care services to their community. Data consistently indicate that public investments in the STEPS model—especially for immigrant, refugee, and historically disadvantaged communities—strengthens child care quality and accessibility in these communities.

Policy Briefs

A Unique Professional Development Program

Entrepreneurship and Economic Security