From left to right ) Supervisor Don Nottoli, Pat Alexander, Supervisor Roger Dickinson, Pat Dorman, Shawn Edwinson, Randi Knott, Marge Tomczak, Illa Collin, Elinor Hickey, Clea Benson, Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan, Laura Elison

Since 1984, the Sacramento Child Care Coalition has recognized child care providers and members of the community who have demonstrated a strong commitment to quality child care in Sacramento County.

Nomination forms were distributed by Child Action, Inc. to parents and co-workers of child care providers, as well as interested community members. The Sacramento Child Care Coalition appointed a panel to review the nomination forms and select award winners for each category. Awards were presented in five categories: Family Child Care Provider of the Year, Program Excellence, Inclusive Care Award, Teacher of the Year and Community Award.

Lynsey Paulo, KCRA Channel 3, presided as Master of Ceremonies and Rick Jennings, CEO, Center for Fathers and Families,gave the keynote address.

Musicians from the Sacramento Youth Symphony provided entertainment during dinner. Trio members included Samantha Schaevitz on flute, Joseph Galamba on violin and Sam Moniz on cello, under the direction of symphony director, Susan Lamb-Cook. Centerpiece floral arrangements were donatedby The Flower Shop, Mount Vernon Memorial Park & Mortuary and Sacramento Memorial Lawn. Additionally, the Child Care Coalition recognized sponsors for their financial contributions to support the event.

The Awards
Don Notolli, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, 5th District, presented Patricia Alexander, with the Family Child Care Provider of the Year Award. Pat has been in business over 35 years and says, "I still enjoy providing child care as much now as I did when I first opened. It has been a joy to me and I hope to continue providing child care for many years to come." She believes in "staying up with the times" and does so through coursework, participation in child care provider associations and the National Association of Family Child Care Accreditation.

Cottage Kids Children's Center, a Bright Horizons Family Solutions Learning Program, received both the Program Excellence Award and the Inclusive Care Award. Center Director, Shawn Edwinson accepted the awards from Randi Knott, Director of Government Affairs for KB Home. Cottage Kids Children's Center was awarded both awards because they exemplify a developmentally appropriate, inclusive learning environment that empowers children from infancy on to become confident, successful and caring children. The center received its NAEYC accreditation in 2001 and has continued to provide quality child care and education to the community.

Roberta MacGlashan, Board of Supervisors, 4th District presented Laura Elison with the Teacher of the Year Award. Elison began her career wanting to make a difference in children's lives through the Montessori philosophy of learning. For over 20 years she has been helping children learn and grow, and gain an understanding of the world around them. Laura has carried her passion for working with young children as a volunteer in her community, and a presenter at regional conferences. "I enjoy teaching children to learn and grow, and I think it's important to recognize their accomplishments," she says.

District 1 Supervisor and Chair of the Sacramento First 5 Commission Roger Dickinson had the honor of presenting Pat Dorman with the first Community Award of the evening. Over the course of three decades Pat Dorman has been a leader in child care advocacy in California. As sole publisher of On the Capitol Doorstep, a weekly bill-tracking update newsletter, she provided the child care community with essential background information on legislation and policy processes. Pat was also active with the California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC) as CAEYC's Public Policy Consultant working tirelessly to shepherd important legislation for the field. She has been a true champion for both California's children as well as the field of early education, playing a major part in the Women's Caucus decision to back child care issues.

The second Community Award was presented to Clea Benson by Elinor Hickey, Area 1 Trustee Sacramento County Board of Education. As a senior staff writer in the state capital bureau of the Sacramento Bee, Ms. Benson informs the public about issues facing the child care community, and was responsible for a series of articles in the spring and summer of 2005 that highlighted the impact of budget cuts on community care licensing. Her articles drew the attention of consumers and the State Legislature on the dangers this creates for children in licensed child care. "As a reporter," she says, "I've tried to document how a lack of resources translates into poor state oversight, potentially dangerous situations for children, and a lack of day care for people who need it."

The final Community Award was presented to Illa Collin by Marge Tomczak of Tomczak and Associates, a long time friend and colleague of Supervisor Collin.

In the 27 years Illa Collin has served on the Board of Supervisors, 2nd District, she has worked closely with and supported child care issues. Illa was instrumental in the creation of the Child Care Coalition in 1984. Her leadership over the years built a strong coalition of government, business, education, and community leaders with the mission to ensure that quality child care services are available, accessible and affordable for Sacramento families. She is an advocate for women's issues, transportation issues, environmental issues and family issues - including initiating and co-authoring the Sacramento County Parental Leave Ordinance, making Sacramento the first County to offer a paid parental leave to its employees.

The evening festivities concluded with a round of applause for all the award winners, & an invitation for everyone to attend the 23rd "In Praise of Provider's" Awards Dinner next year.