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Sacramento
Child Care Coalition
2008 "In Praise of
Providers" Child Care Awards
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.
On February 29th the Sacramento Child Care Coalition hosted
the “In Praise of Providers” child care awards
dinner at the Sheraton Grand Hotel at 12th and J Streets in
Sacramento.
Lynsey Paulo, KCRA Channel 3 - Call 3 Reporter,
opened the evening with a welcome letter from Congresswoman
Doris Matsui. Dinner entertainment was provided by
Sasha Hoft, AnnaMarie Arai and
George Cook-Kantu from the Chamber Music Workshop
of the Sacramento Youth Symphony. Included in the evening
was a moment of remembrance for
Elinor Hickey, Area 1 Trustee to the Sacramento County
Board of Education, who passed away late January 2008.
Joining the over 150 early care and education professionals
and families attending the dinner, were local leaders including
Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli,
Sacramento Superintendent of Schools David Gordon,
Citrus Heights Mayor Steve Miller, Rancho
Cordova City Councilmember Robert McGarvey,
Supervisor Roger Dickinson's Chief of Staff and newly elected
member of the Twin Rivers School Board Cortez Quinn,
and Dr. David Viar, President of American
River College.
Family Child Care Provider of the Year
Receiving the award for Family Child Care Provider of the
Year was Sheila Caceres of Sheila’s
Garden Daycare
“Sheila has a drive to succeed and to be a great child
care provider,” says Marco Uriarte: “It was very
difficult for me to find a provider, but when I went to Sheila’s
house she was so welcoming and wanted to know about my child,
our family and culture. That is very important to our family.”
Parents who nominated Sheilia noted her commitment to building
strong trusting relationships by taking the time to get to
know each family and child’s needs. She discusses family
traditions, favorite foods and toys, and health concerns with
the parents. She welcomes phone calls and visits from parents
who want to check in on their children. She posts updates
on what the children are doing on a Parent Board and recently
initiated a website where parents can log on and view daily
photos of their children. Sheila has hosted several park and
backyard barbeques and family dinner nights, and provided
special outings to Sutter’s Fort, Funtastic, Bouncetown
and the Pumpkin Patch. She even offers monthly date nights
to parents.
Program Excellence Award
Denise Wessels and Sherry Velte
accepted the Program Excellence Award on behalf of the Associated
Student’s Children’s Center
at Sacramento State University.
The center was established in 1971 as a pre-school program
for low income student parents. It currently strives to meet
the needs of 200 families by providing infant through early
school-age care, flexible scheduling, and resources and training
for parents. The center’s core staff of 13 and additional
60-80 student staff members, also provide an inclusive program
that welcomes children with differing abilities and helps
families connect with available ommunity resources.
One of the Center’s greatest accomplishments has been
earning national accreditation through the National
Association for the Education of Young Children. To achieve
NAEYC Accreditation, early childhood education programs volunteer
to be measured against the most robust and rigorous national
standards on education, health and safety. Out of 499 child
care programs in Sacramento County, 15 are accredited by NAEYC.
“This is not a typical child care center,” writes
Nathan Augustine. “this is a place where children learn,
play and thrive in a loving environment. They go the extra
mile to make sure my children are content and the parents
are comfortable and his is the reassurance a parent cherishes.
If every child care provider can provide similar care we would
have a bright future.”
Individual Community Excellence Awards
The first of two Individual Community Excellence Awards was
presented to Roger
Dickinson, Supervisor, Sacramento County District
1 for his continuing commitment to supporting the families
and children of Sacramento County.
As a member of the Sacramento
County Board of Supervisors, he has played key roles on
issues including health care, welfare reform, economic development,
clean air, improved transportation, and smart growth. He was
instrumental in the creation of Birth and Beyond, a home visitation
program for at-risk families; and the turnaround of the Grant
Joint Union School District.
Since its inception he has served as chair of the Sacramento
First 5 Commission. The Commission has provided funding
for the Sacramento CARES program, established school readiness
programs throughout the county and initiated the Preschool
Bridging Model in Elk Grove, as well as the Effective Parenting
Initiative. The Commission has also provided funding for breastfeeding
education and support and medical access to children through
the Cover the Kids campaign.
Through his participation and membership in a number of local,
state and national associations, he provides a voice for Sacramento
County’s children and families.
The second award for Individual Excellence was presented
to Mary Jane Maguire-Fong, Professor of Early
Childhood Education at American
River College.
In over three decades, Mary Jane has been a teacher of young
children, a director of a children’s center, a professor
of Early Childhood Education and an advocate for children
and families. One colleague wrote, “I consider her to
be one of the most talented and finest instructors that I
could aspire to become. In my quest to improve the lives of
children in Early Childhood Education I look to her as a mentor.”
It is a sentiment reiterated consistently by Mary Jane’s
colleagues and students.
Success to her is not an individual achievement, but a collaborative
effort.
She is proud of her association with the migrant child development
programs, and the three infant centers that were opened while
she was director.
She is also proud of her association with the American
River College Child Development Center where she was instrumental
in orchestrating the growth of the Early
Childhood Education program, expanding the department
from one faculty member to seven and designing a Child Development
Center licensed to serve 102 children. She continually collaborates
with the Early Childhood Education faculty and Center teachers
to support a state of the art early childhood education program
for students, children and the community.
Mary Jane’s voice is heard well beyond the classrooms
of American River College. A published writer and sought after
speaker she is a tireless advocate for the rights of children
and families, and for early childhood professionals. She provides
important leadership on statewide initiatives and her thoughtful
analysis and articulation is respected throughout the community
college system, as well as by leaders in key agencies and
organizations involved in early childhood policy development.
Award recipients also received individualized letters of
congratulations from Congresswoman
Doris Matsui, as well as certificates of commodation
from State
Senator Darrel Steinberg.
Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the “In Praise
of Providers” awards. Plans for the event are currently
underway, with the Child Care Coalition preparing to invite
community leaders and all past award recipients to celebrate
this very special milestone on Wednesday, May 6, 2009.
2009 award nomination forms will be available in the Child
Action, Inc. newsletters through the end of the year,
as well as on-line at www.sac-lpc.org. Nominations are being
accepted now through January 30, 2009.
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