SFC Team: Titus DosRemedios- Deputy Director; Marge Mahoney Director of Finance and Operations; Diagneris "Nery" Garcia, Director of Communications; Amy O’Leary, Executive Director; Marisa Fear, Director of Policy.

Strategies for Children (SFC), based in Boston, is an independent nonprofit dedicated to advancing high-quality early education for children from birth to age five across Massachusetts through public policy, advocacy, constituency building, and public awareness. As Diagneris “Nery” Garcia, Director of Communications, explains, "Our goal is to ensure all young children, families, and early childhood professionals have the resources they need to thrive." 

As one of United Way’s 124 New Way Forward partners within the Public Policy portfolio, Strategies for Children (SFC) envisions Massachusetts as a leader in early learning systems that effectively prepare young children for success in school and life. To make this vision a reality, SFC develops state legislative priorities informed by research, data, and lived experiences. Central to their approach is building strong, collaborative relationships across the early childhood sector, fostering a supportive environment for their work. Through these partnerships, SFC advocates for legislation that benefits young children, families, and the Commonwealth.  

SFC is a remarkably accomplished organization given its size, with just five staff members. Their success highlights how effectively their role as a trusted convener amplifies their impact and drives meaningful outcomes. SFC’s strong reputation as a convener allows them to collaborate effectively across the early education community, fostering deep, supportive relationships and facilitating initiatives that provide accurate information, engage stakeholders, and amplify voices.  

“The relationships and community SFC has built through trust, respect and open communication in the early education and care sector over the past two decades are key to our success. This allows us to make advocacy and policy progress regardless of who the commissioner, governor, or legislative leaders are at any given time." said Diagneris "Nery" Garcia, Director of Communications. 

Key initiatives include: 

Amy O'Leary, who joined SFC 22 years ago and now leads as Executive Director, reflects on the organization's evolution. She notes that while the initial approach centered on consensus and voting among structural leaders, it missed the crucial input of individuals with lived experience and those directly affected by policy. 

Amy O’Leary, Executive Director, SFC

“We are inspired by including and supporting people with lived experience in a meaningful way, not just to check a box, especially in advocacy and policy. Through our 9:30 Call, Advocacy Network, and Early Childhood Agenda, we are exploring ways to operationalize community voices in our processes. By adopting the elevating voices continuum implemented throughout The Agenda, we ensure that people who are working with children and families every day are the first people that we ask to weigh in when we're considering new ideas or policies,” said O’Leary. 

A significant boost to this work has been the longstanding partnership with The United Way of Mass Bay. “I want to acknowledge and thank the United Way for its seven-year commitment to our organization. This stability and belief from a funder have profoundly changed our perspective. As someone who has been fortunate to be part of the United Way family for a long time, this commitment has greatly impacted our long-term planning and how we approach funding from other sources,” O’Leary added. 

Strategies for Children measures both tangible and intangible impacts. “We have some metrics that you can count, and we have some metrics that you can feel,” said O’Leary. They track policy wins by quantifying budget increases and advocacy actions, which has led to historic state funding for early education—$1.5 billion for two consecutive years. Their Advocacy Network helps members build valuable connections, gain confidence, and see their ideas turn into policy changes, while not directly measurable, is a significant metric. “Ideas shared during the 9:30 call have also turned into actual policy changes or regulations and that is a huge win,” said O’Leary.  

“We now have the second straight budget year in a row where early education and care has $1.5 billion dollars and that's historic. This success stems from our unique approach to advocacy and the collaborative culture we've developed. It's also a reflection of the personal advocacy and leadership journeys of everyone involved,” said Titus DosRemedios, Deputy Director at Strategies for Children.  

Titus DosRemedios, Deputy Director, SFC

Felicia Billy's journey from classroom educator to SFC board member reflects the broader advocacy and leadership development nurtured by SFC. 

Felicia’s passion for early childhood education began in kindergarten, leading her to a lifelong career in the field. Growing up in Massachusetts, she attended Newton North, a vocational high school where she appreciated the value of mentorship through apprenticeships, a concept she now explores in her PhD program. Felicia believes that the decline of the apprenticeship model and low pay have made it difficult to attract new professionals to early childhood education. 

Felicia Billy, SFC Board Member

At the YMCA of Greater Boston, where she worked for 11 years, Felicia began as a part time educator, working her way up to center director, and later assisting other centers. In her 10th year, Felicia joined SFC through their first Advocacy Network cohort, representing the YMCA of Greater Boston. This experience was transformative, teaching her how to be an effective advocate for children and families on a larger scale. "Strategies for Children was a game-changer for me, showing the importance of having practitioners in the room where decisions are made and the value of our voices in shaping policy," said Billy.  “I love the networking opportunities SFC provides and their encouragement to utilize these avenues. They are a huge resource and asset not only to Boston but to the entire state, showing the way for many and creating a significant ripple effect through their convening sessions.”  

Felicia later became an executive director at a for-profit program in Cambridge and is now the Director of Boston University Children’s Center and Families Services but stayed connected with SFC, eventually joining their board. Felicia views her board role as a full-circle opportunity to understand governance and impact, having worked at every tier of the field. " I'm driven by SFC’s work not for accolades, but to support the mission of elevating the early childhood field," she explains.  

Her advocacy focuses on securing better pay and respect for educators, advocating for sustainable and unrestricted funding to meet the evolving needs of the early education sector, and reviving the apprenticeship model in teaching.  “In many states across the U.S., teachers are still earning just $12 to $15 an hour. We demand a lot from these educators, but their pay does not reflect that. Investing in children means investing in their teachers,” said Billy.  

As she pursues a PhD in Leadership and Policy in Early Education, Felicia is focused on restoring the apprenticeship model in teaching. "How do we produce quality teachers with or without the funding? It’s about giving them the opportunity to learn from seasoned educators. This informs policy and drives change," said Billy.  

Gloria Valentin-Denson, a family childcare educator in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, has over 24 years of experience. She’s a community pillar, providing crucial early childhood education in Boston and beyond. Her journey with SFC began during the COVID-19 pandemic, a challenging time that highlighted the importance of her work.  

Gloria Valentin-Denson, Family Childcare Educator

Gloria had always been involved in advocacy but joining SFC’s Speakers’ Bureau (a 2021 training series that informed the creation of the Advocacy Network) was a turning point. It helped her realize the full potential of her efforts, giving her a platform to amplify her voice during a critical period. “I’ve always been involved in advocacy but never really labeled it as such. The Speakers’ Bureau opened my eyes to the impact I could make,” said Valentin-Denson.  

In fall of 2021, SFC invited Gloria to join the inaugural cohort of its Advocacy Network, a year-long experience for early educators interested in advocacy and leadership. The Advocacy Network sessions taught Gloria how to communicate clearly and confidently, transforming how she engages in advocacy. One of her key achievements was founding the BIPOC Family Childcare Collective, a supportive network offering professional development opportunities to providers. This initiative, now in its second year, offers regular workshops on topics ranging from curriculum development to financial planning and has become a vital resource for those who often work in isolation.  

"Being part of the Advocacy Network has been transformative. It’s not just about being involved in advocacy but being clear on what you’re asking for, whether it’s requesting specific changes or demanding policy implementation. The Advocacy Network has given me the tools to communicate my advocacy goals more effectively and assertively," said Valentin-Denson. 

Gloria's role has continued to evolve as she joined the Early Childhood Agenda as a Lived Experience Leader for workgroup 5, focusing on early education quality infrastructure. Her contributions have helped shape policies that better support family childcare providers. “Being part of workgroup 5 has shown me the power of collective advocacy. "We’re not just talking about change, we’re making it happen,” said Valentin-Densen.  

Through SFC, Gloria has gained confidence and validation, recognizing the impact of her work on the future of children and families. “Strategies for Children has been a beacon of support, solidifying the significance of my work and validating my voice, input, and experiences. They’ve given me the tools to make a difference and allowed me to be heard and seen,” said Valentin-Denson. 

The organization's reputation as a trusted convener and its commitment to accessible and inclusive advocacy have played a crucial role in her journey. Gloria appreciates the approachability and support offered by SFC, which has enabled her to navigate the complexities of early childhood education with greater ease and effectiveness. 

Gloria remains committed to advocating for fair compensation for providers who accept subsidies, improved communication with licensing agencies, and continued support for professional development. Her story is one of empowerment and dedication, highlighting the importance of advocacy in early childhood education.  “My goal is to continue fighting for fair compensation and professional growth for all family childcare providers. It’s essential for the future of early education,” said Valentin-Denson. 

Gloria Valentin-Denson’s journey with SFC underscores the profound impact of dedicated advocacy and the vital role of supporting those who nurture the lives of young children. Her commitment to enhancing early childhood education through collaborative efforts and community building reflects the heart of what effective advocacy can achieve. Similarly, Felicia Billy’s ongoing work exemplifies the power of passion and perseverance in shaping the future of education. Together, their stories inspire and pave the way for future educators and advocates, highlighting the importance of unwavering dedication to the early education field and its ongoing transformation.