Family Child Care Homes as a Source of Resilience for Black Families During COVID-19

• In Event: Poster Session 06
  In Poster Session: PS 06 Topic - Solicited Content: COVID-19 Related

Abstract

Background
In the United States, about 20% of children receiving child care funded by the Federal Child Care and Development Fund receive care in family child care (FCC) homes; approximately 42% of children enrolled in FCC homes are Black (Layzer & Goodson, 2007). For this study, we sought to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted care in FCC homes because of the ways the pandemic has disproportionately affected Black families. Prior to the pandemic, inequities including structural racism, inadequate healthcare access, and disproportionate rates of low-quality childcare consistently presented challenges to Black families (Burchinal et al., 2011). The pandemic has further exacerbated these inequities: Black families have faced higher death rates, greater drops in employment, and increased exposure to COVID-19 due to their essential work status (Yancy, 2020). The purpose of our study was twofold: (1) to understand the impact of COVID-19 on Black FCC providers; and (2) to understand the impact of COVID-19 on low-income Black families, taking a strengths-based approach to examine the ways in which FCC settings have served as a source of resilience for Black families.

Method
This study is part of a longitudinal study of FCC providers who agreed to participate in a one-year pilot program with the state’s Department of Education. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with low-income FCC providers (n = 20), who identified as Black/African American, approximately three months following the shutdown due to COVID-19. Providers were from two regions in one southeastern state that was considered a hotbed for COVID-19. The responses to two interview questions were used for the qualitative content analysis, including: (1) “What impact did COVID-19 have on the families of the children in your care?” and (2) “How did your family child care business change in the weeks immediately following the COVID-19 shutdown?” Interviews were transcribed, and open-coding was used to determine themes among provider responses by three researchers.

Results
Preliminary findings highlight the critical role and function of FCC providers in their community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providers expressed how their children’s parents were considered essential workers and needed to report to work, and how at least one family in their care had lost their job or hours due to the economic shutdown. They also reported caring for additional older children, assisting with schoolwork, and offering additional support to families in the form of meals. Also, providers expressed uncertainty about the future and adapting policies to new safety guidelines, including taking additional cleaning precautions and allowing parents in their home.

Discussion
These findings highlight the importance FCC providers have played in providing a source of care and stability for Black families, many of whom have had to show up as essential workers during the pandemic. These providers have continued to offer this essential educational setting for families despite their own fears about the virus. Because of their support, FCC providers must be recognized for the care they provide not only to children but to their often low-income and minority communities.

Authors

• Brittany Wittenberg Camp, Phoenix Children’s Hospital
  Presenting Author

• Erin Harmeyer, Rutgers University - New Brunswick
  Non-Presenting Author

• Salimata Fall, Louisiana State University
  Non-Presenting Author