Our Mission
To support Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) child care providers to create safe, stimulating environments that foster children’s development and school readiness.
History
In 2006, the Kansas City Area Parents as Teachers Consortium embarked on a mission to empower child care providers by implementing the Parents as Teachers Supporting Care Providers Through Personal Visits curriculum, delivering personalized home visits to support early childhood development. For two decades, this initiative fostered strong provider-child relationships and provided vital resources to the community. However, in the spring of 2025, the program entered a new chapter, transitioning under the guidance of a new fiscal sponsor, marking a significant step in its ongoing commitment to serving FFN child care providers in the Kansas City area.
What is Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care?
Child care provided by individuals with an existing relationship to the child, outside of traditional, licensed settings. This vital support often comes from family members like grandparents, aunts, uncles, or older siblings, as well as close friends and trusted neighbors. Characterized by its informal, relationship-based nature, FFN care offers families flexibility and often incorporates culturally relevant practices and language. Whether paid or unpaid, this form of care plays a crucial role in supporting families, especially those facing limited access to formal child care options.
What We Do at Supporting Care Providers of Kansas:
- Free Support: Voluntary program for family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) care providers in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties caring for children who are birth to five years of age. **Eligibility requirements apply. Contact Maria Rios at [email protected] or call/text 913-731-4834 for further information.
- Personalized Visits: Monthly home visits using the Parents as Teachers Supporting Care Providers Through Personal Visits curriculum (English/Spanish).
- Child Development: Learn about development and milestones, developmentally appropriate learning activities, strategies for discipline and setting limits, health, safety, and nutrition.
- Resources: Receive children’s books, activity materials, and developmental screenings (ASQ-3/ASQ-SE:2) training.
- Individualized Support: Tailored assistance based on provider and child needs.
- Enhanced Care: Improves care quality, promotes equity, and connects to early intervention and community resources.
Staff
Rebecca Stewart – Supporting Care Providers of Kansas Program Director, [email protected]
Maria Rios – Supporting Care Providers of Kansas Outreach-Recruitment Specialist/Provider Educator, [email protected]
Maria Rios is currently a Supporting Care Provider Educator for the Kansas City Area. Maria has been a bilingual Supporting Care Provider Educator for the past 8 years. She has more than 20 years in education. Maria is very passionate about helping families in the community. She enjoys spending time with her family.
Priscila Jurado – Supporting Care Providers of Kansas Provider Educator, [email protected]
Priscila Jurado is taking on the role as a Supporting Care Provider of Kansas. She has been a Parent Educator with Parents as Teachers since 2019. Priscila also has a background in working with various child welfare and child mental health agencies in the Kansas City area since 2017. She has earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas. Being a graduate herself of the Parents as Teachers program and being the daughter of a 30+ year Parent Educator had fostered early on a passion for contributing to the well-being and growth of the community. During her leisure time, she enjoys going on walks with her dogs and spending time with her nephews and family.
Kicia Wagner – Supporting Care Providers of Kansas Provider Educator, [email protected]
Kicia is excited to be part of the Supporting Care Providers of Kansas team. With 18 years of experience as a Parent Educator and Program Coordinator with Parents as Teachers, she is passionate about supporting families and nurturing young learners. In her free time, Kicia enjoys outdoor activities, playing board games, and watching KU and KC Chiefs football games, all while cherishing moments with her family and pets.
Testimonials
“I am doing more than just babysitting. I am helping to make sure my granddaughter will be ready for school.”
“The resources we have received have been very helpful and the kids love learning new things during our visits.”
“I cannot say enough good things about this program. The toys are spot on. My grands love the program and have their go to program toys. Plus, the care provider just knows exactly what we need when we need it. I am so grateful for this program. I wish all care takers would take advantage.”
