…to get to a place where you could love anything you chose – not to need permission for desire – well now, that was freedom.
Toni Morrison
Mariam Sossouadouno has made her career centered around advocating for underprivileged communities in California. While at the Child Care Law Center, she has worked on policy implementations of the Keeping Families Together Act (SB 234, 2019). This legislation expanded housing protections for family child care home providers.
Mariam has built her career around advocating for underprivileged communities in California. While working at the Child Care Law Center, she has worked on policy implementation of the Keeping Families Together Act (SB 234, 2019), which expanded housing protections for family child care home providers.
During her work, a child care provider from Moreno Valley reached out to report that the city was requiring her to pay for a business license to operate her child care home, which violated the law. After gathering information, Mariam discovered that the city’s ordinance was not compliant with SB 234. She then contacted local organizations in Riverside County and found that several other child care providers faced similar challenges with the city.
Mariam carefully reviewed the city’s ordinance and subsequently sent an email to Moreno Valley, highlighting the necessary changes to align their ordinance with SB 234. This initial step allowed Mariam to expand her work, advocating for the implementation of SB 234 across various counties and cities in California.
Mariam’s community-focused advocacy has been central to her approach in driving macro-level changes toward economic justice throughout her career. This commitment led her to establish a CalWORKs Taskforce in collaboration with other advocacy organizations to address child care issues reported by families participating in CalWORKs. Through this taskforce, Mariam coordinated and led meetings with the California Department of Social Services to advocate for meaningful changes in child care protections for families involved in CalWORKs. She continues to take a leadership role in this taskforce to ensure that families with lower incomes receive the protections they are entitled to under the law, and that these protections are effectively implemented by counties and contractors.
Based in Sacramento, Mariam is also prepared to represent the Child Care Law Center at state budget hearings, legislative sessions, partner lobby visits, or rallies advocating for a better child care system in California. She has provided testimony at several budget hearings to support the Child Care Law Center’s efforts for fair pay for child care providers.
Mariam looks forward to continuing her work at the Child Care Law Center to ensure that child care is accessible to all families who need it in California.
In her down time she loves to go on a nice run, cook with her friends, and read fantasy novels.
For more information or questions about the child care subsidies or Senate Bill 234 (2019) please contact Mariam Sossouadouno.
