Jennifer Drake

Jennifer Drake
Jennifer Drake is the director of the Emergency Child Care and Technical Assistance Center™. She has more than 20 years of system-level experience in early childhood care and education, family engagement and training and technical assistance. Before joining CCAoA, Jennifer worked in a regional CCR&R agency for 15 years including seven years as Executive Director. Besides her organizational leadership role, Jennifer collaborated extensively in numerous state-level early childhood care and education and family engagement initiatives. Jennifer holds a Master of Science in public service administration. She lives with her husband in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jennifer is committed to advancing a child care system that effectively serves all children and families—during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

Recent Posts

CCR&Rs Can Provide Essential Support As Summer Programs Reopen

By Jennifer Drake on May 13, 2021

When matched with children’s interests, summer camps with safe, healthy environments and practices can be fun places for children to learn and grow. Whether they’re day camps or sleepaways, summer camps can support children’s learning and development. Camps can also serve as safe places for children to be while their parents are at work.

Topics: Business Operations for CCR&Rs, Family & Community Engagement, Best Practices, Health & Safety, Coronavirus

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Practical Steps to Prepare for and Respond to Child Care Disruptions

By Jennifer Drake on April 29, 2021

Disruptions to the child care industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic have created financial hardships and other challenges for child care providers. Child care programs that were closed may re-open only to close again due to outbreaks of the virus in their program, an uptick in community spread, staff shortages or simply because their business models are no longer sustainable. Meanwhile, for many parents, it can be difficult to find alternative child care arrangements. And for employers, disruptions to child care impact their abilities to have employees that are consistently present to meet work requirements and commitments.

Topics: Business Operations for CCR&Rs, Professional Development, Health & Safety, Coronavirus

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Important Updates to the Paycheck Protection Program for Small Businesses

By Jennifer Drake on February 24, 2021

In December 2020, Congress funded a new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new PPP is more flexible than the original and allows prior PPP loan recipients to apply for a second loan under certain conditions. The PPP is now open for applications. 

Topics: Business Operations for CCR&Rs, Coronavirus

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The Rise of the Learning Pod: Considerations & Precautions

By Jennifer Drake on October 08, 2020

This fall, as schools make difficult decisions about when and how to reopen during the pandemic, families also face tough choices. Parents across the country are struggling to balance holding down a job or pursuing their own education with attending to their children’s health, education, safety and social connections.

Topics: Family & Community Engagement, Parenting, Coronavirus

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Millions May Miss Out on Economic Impact Payments: How to Help

By Jennifer Drake on September 30, 2020

If you filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019 or if you receive Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or certain Veterans benefits, you likely received an Economic Impact Payment (“EIP” also known as a “stimulus check”) automatically in the form of a direct deposit, paper check, or debit card.  

Topics: Business Operations for CCR&Rs, Policy & Advocacy, News

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Considerations for Child Care During COVID-19 Response & Recovery

By Jennifer Drake on July 23, 2020

 

The COVID-19 situation and its impact are fluid, changing from day to day. There are many uncertainties regarding child care and child care operations, and child care professionals at both the program and system level must be nimble in their response to the pandemic. They must lean on and build upon the strengths that have served them well and will continue to serve them well during COVID-19 and beyond: relationship-based practices and data-driven decision making.

Topics: Health & Safety, Coronavirus

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