What does the "i am an FFN" billboard mean? What's an FFN?

Recently neigbors in the Jefferson area have been treated to a change from the usual beer advertisements at the corner of Hildebrand and Fredericksburg Road.   An enigmatic billboard proclaiming, "i care for children. i am an FFN" has appeared. 

An FFN is not a new professional designation but instead is bureaucratic language for unlicensed family members, neighbors and friends who care for children, the disabled and the elderly.   FFN's are contrasted with FCC's -regulated Family Child Care providers.

This particular  billboard is sponsored by the City of San Antonio and is part of a campaign to persuade the family members, neighbors and friends who care for children to act more like preschool teachers to prepare children for school.  You can learn all about the campaign at Earlyon-SA.org.  The effort on the part of the city dates to 2000. 

A paper detailing the advantages of using families to care for children in San Antonio, "Benefits of Home Childcare: "I wouldn't just go to a stranger." by Sarah Wood, Sarah. and Amal Bassou is online. 

Both the National Women's Law Center and the Annie E Casey foundation are involved in work organizing or educating the families, friends and neighbors who care for children.

In many parts of the country FFN's are paid by the state.  In some of these the SEIU, Service Employee's International Union, is attempting to be allowed to organize them so that they can qualify for health benefits and negotiate with the state for better payment.  Here is a link to a May 7, 2009 SEIU powerpoint explaining their work to organize FFN's.