But, even with great success for children and families, Crystal Stairs yearned to create an even larger, long-term impact by focusing on the childcare providers, who help families achieve work-life balance.
Last spring, Crystal Stairs invited providers for lunch to prompt a discussion about their experience. Coincidentally, all but one of the attendees were African American. Jackie Majors — CEO of Crystal Stairs and former childcare provider — led the discussion with three questions: How has COVID-19 impacted you? What are you still struggling with? and What can we do to help your business thrive after?
The providers were clear: “We are spent, exhausted and aren't valued.”
The providers cited the lack of resources available, low mental health support given the social climate of injustice, low earning limits and age concerns.
COVID-19 disproportionately impacts African American child care providers due to health concerns, low vaccination rates and high age considerations. It is rare for an African American child care facility to reopen after COVID-19 forces them shut.
African American providers need an engaging space built around their unique experiences that equips them with educational and economic resources.
“We heard them loud and clear,” Majors said.
She knew Crystal Stairs was the best organization to solve this issue because they host the service area with the largest number of African American providers.
That day, Crystal Stairs committed to being the solution by creating an established space designed to advance their providers professionally and economically — they pledged to build the African American Provider Network (AAPN).
The team courageously moved forward with the initiative despite the pushback that comes with building an African American-specific program.
"When talking about African American-centered programs," Majors said, "Many people verbally support but don't support financially."
The AAPN’s vision is to engage, empower and advance the African American Early Care and Education workforce. It will work through a critical support infrastructure that provides the space and opportunities for equitable access to professional development, trusted information, technical and social support, capacity-building assistance, and strategies for sustaining and expanding high-quality child care services for children, families and communities.
It is a program led by African Americans for African Americans.
A prominent program within the AAPN is the apprenticeship that makes existing resources —specifically African American child care providers — accessible by providing the technical means to utilize them.
It also includes the educational opportunity for childcare providers to earn an ECE — Early Childcare Education — certification which increases their earning potential by over 20 percent. These students will receive a $3,500 stipend with other financial support.
The AAPN will capitalize on the existing wisdom of experienced providers while also promoting economic increase with its mentorship program, allowing them to educate other members on best practices while earning up to an additional $10,000.
The AAPN plans to have social gatherings to celebrate accomplishments and recruit younger talent to the field to create the sustainability of high-quality support and improve the level of care to the parents and ultimately the children.
COVID-19 and social injustice revealed many areas of improvement within the childcare system.
“We’ve known … that childcare providers are essential,” Majors said.
Providers are the backbone of the community because they free parents for employment while ensuring the kids' social, emotional, mental and physical needs are met in a safe environment by culturally competent providers who look like them.
Crystal Stairs garnered consistent support with Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell to identify future funding opportunities.
The program, which comes at no cost to childcare providers, became available on Feb. 24.
Trojan Outreach will host the final “Build Your Endgame” workshop this spring.
“USC Athletics is committed to serving the under-resourced and those who aim to improve their lives,” said McCall Hall, USC Athletics' Director of Community Outreach. “We recognize the real work is the burden carried by those whom Crystal Stairs supports.”
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