April Dodge-Ostendorf

April Dodge-Ostendorf
April Dodge-Ostendorf, MSW, is the Chief of Staff at Child Care Aware® of America. She has 20 years of professional experience advancing social service systems for children and families at local, state and national levels. April’s current work includes building cross-organizational knowledge and capacity for effective partnership engagement, fund development, and strategic alignment.

Recent Posts

A Funder’s Perspective: Partnering for Resiliency

By April Dodge-Ostendorf on March 08, 2024
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The Art of the Possible - A Tribute to Departing CEO, Dr. Lynette Fraga

By April Dodge-Ostendorf on December 12, 2022

The ways that Dr. Lynette M. Fraga will leave her mark on Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) are innumerable. As we think about Lynette’s departure as CEO on January 11, 2023, many of us are reflecting on the moments, experiences and inspirational words she has shared that will stick with us. A personal favorite among her familiar quotes is, “What’s the art of the possible?”  

As Lynette shared at CCAoA’s 2022 Leadership Institute, she first came across this phrase from the iconic book, From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early ChildhoodDevelopment, which referenced early childhood intervention as “…an individualized strategy designed to increase the probability of a desired outcome, and not as a developmental panacea for all children under all circumstances. It is the ‘art of the possible’, based on the science of early childhood development.” 

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How to Use AmazonSmile to Support CCAoA [2022]

By April Dodge-Ostendorf on July 13, 2022

This year, Amazon Prime Day is July 12-13. Before you take advantage of the sales, be sure to set Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) as your preferred charity in AmazonSmile.

 

What is AmazonSmile?

Amazon makes a donation to nonprofits like Child Care Aware® of America every time shoppers purchase from AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is the same as Amazon.com—same products, same prices, same service. AND you get to help our cause at no cost to you! When shoppers use the AmazonSmile link to shop from, Amazon then donates 0.5% of eligible products' prices to the organization of your choice.

Topics: Business Operations for CCR&Rs, News

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Family Voices: Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and Response

By April Dodge-Ostendorf on August 19, 2019
Child Care Aware® of America stands alongside families, providers, and the public in our shared commitment to the safety and well-being of children in child care. In 2016, an estimated 676,000 children in the United States were victims of neglect or abuse. A fraction of that total (2,104) involved a child care provider. That’s unacceptable and a legitimate cause for concern among families and the general public. In the story below, Amber shares just one story of how her family impacted by one of these cases.

Topics: Family & Community Engagement, Family Stories

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Family Voices: Harper's Story - Tragedy  Outside a Provider's Home

By April Dodge-Ostendorf on August 08, 2019

Harper was a typical toddler full of love, laughs and life, when a tragic event happened outside the home of her family child care provider in the summer of 2016. In the video below, Harper’s mother, Whitney, shares her story and what she hopes parents and providers will do to keep children safe. 

Topics: Family & Community Engagement, Family Stories

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Family Voices: Reflections from a Child Care Advocate, Sosha Chaney

By April Dodge-Ostendorf on August 01, 2019

Child Care Aware® of America had the opportunity to sit down with Sosha Chaney, a vocal child care advocate, as she shared her journey. Sosha is especially passionate about improving:

  • Access to reliable, education-based child care for families working non-traditional hours
  • Affordable, high-quality child care options
  • Funding and support for early childhood programs

Topics: Family & Community Engagement, Family Stories

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