Thank you to all of our sponsors, vendors, and presenters who supported DIEEC’s fourth annual 1st State Family Child Care Conference!
And a very special thanks to the family child care community for joining us for a fantastic day of small steps that will have a big impact.
2025 Sponsors:
Keynote Speaker
Nadin Benrey is a bilingual National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach with a powerful story of personal transformation and a passion for guiding others toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Originally from Mexico City, Nadin Benrey spent over 25 years working as a graphic designer before a life-altering health journey shifted her path. After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and two autoimmune diseases, she committed to making sustainable changes in her lifestyle—incorporating regular exercise, a more balanced diet, and deeper connections with her loved ones. These choices were vital to her recovery and sparked a new sense of purpose.
Motivated by her own experience, she transitioned into the health and wellness field, earning a Master of Arts in Health and Wellness Coaching from the Maryland University of Integrative Health and completing extensive professional training.
Nadin is also an Adjunct Instructor and Program Developer at the University of California, San Diego, where she helps shape the next generation of wellness professionals through innovative, evidence-based curriculum design and teaching.
Her mission is to empower others to take charge of their health, find balance, and thrive, no matter where they are starting from. She believes lasting well-being is not about perfection but progress, self-awareness, and personalized choices that honor each individual’s unique circumstances.
2024 Conference
Julia Semple
Keynote Speaker
Julia Semple is known as the Mystery Pain Eliminator and Illuminator. After years of suffering with baffling symptoms herself, she finally discovered the keys to her own health transformation. She is a licensed massage therapist, certified fitness trainer, and transformational coach. Her mission is simple: To help people feel good in their bodies and get back to living their lives.
Since 2007 she has experienced the joy of helping hundreds of clients unwind from stress and overwhelm, heal injuries, release restrictions, and improve their mood and movements overall. Originally from Delaware, and new to Colorado, she is quickly adapting to the gorgeous scenery, sunshine, and kind people. In her free time you can find her salsa dancing, or practicing with her ladies dance team. She also enjoys live music, stand-up comedy and is a closeted karaoke singer.
2023 Conference
A Recap of the Second Annual 1st State Family Child Care Conference.
On a rainy, fall Saturday morning, family child care educators from all across Delaware gathered at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware, for a day of learning, networking, and growth at the First State Family Child Care Conference: Educate, Elevate, Empower. This conference, held on October 14th, 2023, was a resounding success, drawing over 170 family child care educators.
The Chase Center provided the perfect backdrop for this educational event. As attendees filed in, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement, as educators and exhibitors alike looked forward to a day of collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
DIEEC Staff pose with keynote speaker, Jerletha McDonald (center)
Jerletha McDonald
Keynote Speaker
Director of Policy & Strategy for Home Grown, a national collaborative of funders committed to building quality of and access to home-based child care.
For over 15 years, Alexandra has worked in the early learning sector in a variety of roles including early childhood classroom teacher, case manager and supervisor in Pennsylvania’s QRIS system, professional development and technical assistance instructor and most recently intermediary Director for Philadelphia’s prek program, PHLpreK.
Alexandra holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Education from Bank Street College in New York City.
2022 Conference
Thank you for a great first conference.
DIEEC hosted its inaugural 1st State Family Child Care Conference in support of Delaware’s family child care educators. We learned together, networked, and had so much fun! We’re already thinking about ideas for next year. Home-based child care is a culturally responsive way to provide early education, and we want to support your continued success!
Alexandra R. Patterson
2022 Special Guest Speaker
Director of Policy & Strategy for Home Grown, a national collaborative of funders committed to building quality of and access to home-based child care.
For over 15 years, Alexandra has worked in the early learning sector in a variety of roles including early childhood classroom teacher, case manager and supervisor in Pennsylvania’s QRIS system, professional development and technical assistance instructor and most recently intermediary Director for Philadelphia’s prek program, PHLpreK.
Alexandra holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Education from Bank Street College in New York City.
All 2025 conference photography is courtesy of the University of Delaware, Office of Communication and Marketing.
DELAWARE INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
