February 1, 2006

Dear CCDAA Members,

I write this letter to you to share my excitement and pride about all that is taking place in your name as a member of CCDAA.

You are aware that the newly created position of CCDAA Executive Director is held by Nina Buthee. Nina has readily assumed this leadership role and daily displays her mastery in the area of organization and proficient communication skills. She has met with the child development executive directors of our sister organizations and leading child development advocates. Through these meetings CCDAA’s voice and your message has been conveyed throughout the state.

CCDAA’s advocate, Dr. Tim Fitzharris, and our public policy advisors, Kathy Lafferty and Cliff Marcussen, are presently reviewing the Governor’s budget and outlining CCDAA’s approach and steps to be taken by CCDAA membership in the legislative areas of (1) training day’s reimbursement, (2) restructuring Title 5 centers as School Readiness Centers, and (3) third party income and other relevant issues.

I can not stress enough how important it is for each of us, as CCDAA members, to personally contact the policy makers, the legislators, to insure that they become acquainted with and support our agency concerns. We need to ‘put a face’, your face, on our issues. Please call, schedule an appointment or write to establish a relationship with your legislator’s staff in order to get your (our) concerns heard, addressed and acted upon. If each of us would make these contacts, votes will be cast in our favor.

Your State Board members continue to meet monthly with Michael Jett to address the issues you have voiced at the monthly section meeting. As Director of CDD, Michael Jett, appreciates the list of concerns and needs you are facing as he directs his staff to address each of these issues.

I look forward to seeing you enjoying the March 8, 9, and10, conference at the Doubletree Hotel in San Diego. View ccdaa.org for the schedule and registration information. Plans have been made for outstanding workshops, evening events and opportunities to meet and support one another. You will be impressed by all that is being planned for YOU!

Within the next month your section president will ask you to consider accepting a position on the section board or public policy advocacy team. Is this for you? I can guarantee that it is an rewarding experience.

Note the section and state meeting schedule and locations as shown on ccdaa.org. Beside our conference in San Diego, our June Statewide meeting will be in San Francisco. Mark your calendar. Your attendance at meetings is important. See ccdaa.org for agendas, dates and locations.

At your request our membership roster is again being printed on hard copy! You should receive this soon in the mail along with an important request to financially support our ‘Voices for Children’ fund for continual advocacy for children.
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                         CCDAA’s membership has grown by 41% this year.
                            Can you believe it?  This is terrific growth!
Belonging to CCDAA is important to you and many others throughout the state.
                             Be proud to be an active member.
Thank you for the privilege to serve as your state president. Your outstanding dedication to the children, parents, providers and staff at your agency is the core to providing hope for a better world for all.

Sincerely,
Ellen Crosby, CCDAA State President 2005-06
365 Nevada St.
Auburn, Ca. 95603
(530) 745-145