| Abstract: |
This study addresses the need to center the voices of Black, Indigenous, and Womxn of Color (BIWOC) early childhood educators (ECE) working in home-based settings, also called family childcare providers, in public policy decisions related to childcare deserts. To address this problem, this qualitative exploratory study aimed to identify basic elements of grassroots leadership programs designed to foster their participation in public policy advocacy, design, implementation, and evaluation. Data was collected through interviews with eight ECE leaders, community organizing meetings observation, programs documents, and the researcher’s professional journals. Through data analysis, themes were identified under two program design categories: values and principles and operational elements.
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