Her Story
About Yasmine
Yasmine Thomas is a dedicated child care professional and customer experience advocate with nearly a decade of experience in child care program administration and family support. Since entering the field in 2016, she has built a career focused on helping families access affordable, high-quality child care while ensuring that complex government assistance programs are delivered with efficiency and compassion. Inspired by her upbringing in a family child care environment, where her mother operated a home-based child care business, Yasmine developed an early appreciation for the transformative role of early childhood education and the importance of supporting both children and their caregivers.
As Manager of Parent Services at Child Care Aware of America, Yasmine oversees the day-to-day operations of the Air Force and Marine Corps Parent Services team, ensuring compliance with Department of Defense grant requirements, operational policies, and quality standards. Throughout her progression from Enhanced Referral Specialist to Parent Liaison Specialist, Senior Parent Liaison, and now manager, she has gained expertise in child care subsidy administration, team leadership, staff training, customer experience, and program operations. Her work centers on guiding military families through the child care fee assistance process, connecting them with qualified off-base providers, and ensuring that services are delivered accurately, efficiently, and with exceptional care.
Yasmine is passionate about advocating for the critical role of early childhood education during a child's formative years and believes every family deserves access to safe, affordable, and high-quality care. She is committed to strengthening relationships among parents, educators, providers, and support organizations to create positive outcomes for children and communities. A graduate of Hood College with a bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature, she combines strong communication skills with operational expertise to serve as an internal change agent, continually improving processes while keeping the needs of families at the center of her work.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Yasmine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to empathy, effective communication, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to serving others. Supporting military families and helping ensure their children receive exceptional care gives my work purpose. I believe that when families, educators, and communities work together, children have the best opportunity to succeed.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received has come from the mentors who believed in me. My mother taught me that caring for children is both a profession and a calling, while my sixth-grade teacher showed me the lasting impact educators can have. Throughout my career, I've also learned that the best leaders lead with empathy, listen with intention, and never lose sight of the people they serve.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to never be afraid to start somewhere. Every opportunity can open doors you never expected. Ask questions, stay curious, and focus on what truly motivates you, because the most fulfilling work is work you genuinely care about.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in early childhood education is ensuring affordable, high-quality care while addressing workforce shortages and educator burnout. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunities for women to lead through advocacy, innovation, and compassionate leadership. By strengthening partnerships between families, educators, nonprofits, and government agencies, we can build a more equitable system and give every child the strong foundation they deserve.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my work and personal life are service, compassion, empathy, family, and advocacy. I believe every child deserves a safe, nurturing environment where they can thrive, and I strive to lead with empathy by understanding the unique needs of the families I serve. I also value collaboration and believe the best outcomes happen when families, educators, and communities work together. Finally, I prioritize self-care, knowing it allows me to lead with patience, energy, and compassion.
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