Voice of Organized Independent Childcare Educators

Look at these familiar faces!

So proud of Bonnie and Nikki for all they do to support educators across the state. They shared their knowledge and expertise all while representing us at the The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) 2026 Annual Conference.

Congratulations to our very own Gaby Paulina Pena for being selected to serve on the NAFCC Inaugural Policy Council!

"It is truly a privilege to serve alongside such an inspiring group of leaders, and I look forward to advocating for meaningful, lasting change for our profession and the communities we serve," said Gaby.

The Policy Council brings together family child care leaders from across the country to help shape policies that strengthen and advance the profession. Through collaboration with NAFCC, these leaders will help inform policy discussions and engage with federal, state, and local policymakers to ensure the voices of family child care educators, children, and families are represented in decisions that impact early childhood education.

Congratulations to the inaugural 2026 NAFCC Policy Council! 🎉

Congratulations to this outstanding group of Family Child Care leaders who have been selected to help shape the future of Family Child Care through advocacy and policy. Thank you for lending your voices, expertise, and leadership to ensure Family Child Care is represented where decisions are made.

We look forward to the impact you'll make!

How has the the Child Care Assistance Program impacted you and your family's life?

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services wants to hear your story to further highlight how vital this program is for families across New York State and keep funding where it should be.

Take the survey here: https://bit.ly/4vyd4OS

Registration for our 2026 Statewide Conference is closing NEXT week! ⏰

Check your email or visit our website for the link to register for two FULL days of classes earning up to 15 training hours, our inaugural Welcome Gala, and so much more at no cost to you.

Link to register: https://voicecsea.org/2026/05/14/2026-conference-registration-is-officially-open/

Congratulations to our Ally Health Registration Giveaway winners!!🌟

20 of you just became $100 richer for simply activating their Ally Health account and registering! We were thrilled with the response and appreciate everyone who took advantage of this opportunity.

As a CSEA VOICE member, you are already enrolled in the CSEA VOICE Telemedicine Program—provided to you at absolutely NO COST!

All you need to do is activate your AllyHealth account and register yourself and your eligible household family members to begin using this incredible benefit.

With AllyHealth, you’ll receive:

-24/7 access to virtual medical care
-$0 copays
-Care for you and your eligible household family members

No waiting rooms, no appointments, no hassle.

AllyHealth Registration Giveaway winners announced by President Heidi Brandt | Voice AllyHealth Registration Giveaway winners announced by President Heidi Brandt by Alexandra Whitbeck | Jun 29, 2026 | Uncategorized Congratulations to the winners of our AllyHealth Registration Giveaway! Thank you to everyone who activated their AllyHealth account and registered for this valuable memb...

Is there a soon-to-be high school graduate in your life that could use some extra funds before they start their next chapter?

We've got just the opportunity!

Apply for the CSEA VOICE Continuing Education Scholarship today! The deadline for applications is July 31, 2026.

Applicants must be...
- A graduating high school senior.
- Continuing their education at an accredited college or trade school.
- The child, legal dependent, or grandchild of a CSEA/VOICE member in good standing.

Learn more about how to apply here: https://voicecsea.org/benefits/

Join us in congratulating our very own Dutchess & Putnam County Chapter Rep Nadia Charles on being named the 2026 Lillian Vernon Award Recipient by the Women's Enterprise Development Center!

Nadia's dedication to childcare, our union, and her community is admirable and inspirational. We are grateful to have someone as impactful and determined in our CSEA VOICE family.

Cheers to Nadia 🌟

Join us in celebrating Nadia Charles, recipient of the 2026 Lillian Vernon Award for the Mid-Hudson Region.

Nadia Charles is an Air Force Veteran, entrepreneur, educator, and passionate community advocate whose work continues to create meaningful impact throughout our region.

As the founder of Charles in Charge Daycare, she has built a nurturing and empowering space for children and families while dedicating herself to advancing equity through education, leadership, and service.

In addition to her entrepreneurial work, Nadia serves as the Chapter Representative for CSEA VOICE in Dutchess and Putnam County and is a founding member of the Empire State Family Childcare Collaborative, helping advocate for families and childcare providers across New York State.

Her resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to community truly reflect the spirit of the Lillian Vernon Award.

Please join us in congratulating Nadia Charles on this well-deserved recognition.

wedcbiz.org/event/lillian-vernon-2026-mid-hudson/

Our union, CSEA VOICE, has won two legislative victories!

Bills supporting the infant to educator ratio change, age classification standardization & extended license renewals have been passed in the Assembly and Senate.

Now, we're just waiting for the governor's signature.

When our voices are heard, change happens.

Read more here: https://voicecsea.org/2026/06/23/csea-voice-wins-two-legislative-victories/

Congratulations to Tom DiNapoli on this victory! His determination to maintaining a secure pension system over his tenure is why he is the best person for the job.

Congratulations to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli for his victory. Tom’s proven record in keeping the pension fund strong and responsibly managed is hands down why he is the obvious choice for Comptroller. Thank you to all CSEA members who worked to support Tom and for getting out the vote!