Lynette M. Fraga, Ph.D. 
Chief Executive Officer, CCAoA 

Child Care Aware^® of America is pleased to announce the call for nominations for its 2022 Board of Directors. 

With the nation’s attention now on the needs of the child care system, we have a “moment in a movement” to build a better, more equitable system – one that works for and supports children, families, child care providers and communities. You can contribute to this critical mission by nominating yourself or others to be considered for a Board seat with CCAoA. 

Most people will spend about a third of their lives at work. With that much time dedicated to a particular place and group of people, a work environment that is positive, motivated, fun and inspires employees to take joy in their work can yield huge benefits and overall success for both employees and the business. 

Too often, decisions are made by a limited set of people in power. And far too often, those decisions fail to include and consider the people who are most affected by those decisions.  

We’re living in a moment that demands bold leadership. And it requires that we embrace the strengths and opportunities of diverse voices to solve today's problems.

That's why I am launching a limited podcast series this year. It’s called A Seat at the Table: Conversations on Leadership, Equity and Innovation. 

At Child Care Aware^® of America, we have seen child care become front page news. We have spoken with families, like the Aronoffs, struggling to access child care as providers close their doors. We have listened to providers, like Shaun Linton in Newark, Ohio, whose center has taken extraordinary measures to continue operating safely, despite a reduction in income.      

What we have heard and continue to hear from providers and families is their demands for change. The time is ripe for us to make even bigger strides than previously imagined to achieve a more equitable, affordable and high-quality child care system. As we launch into the new year, I am excited to share with you how we plan to accomplish this.  

Elections matter for child care at all levels of government as public officials have the power to shape the child care system, especially as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. State and local officials elected last week will be involved in developing annual budget proposals, while federal policymakers will be considering the need for child care relief nationwide. Our advocacy efforts will be crucial to reaching these policymakers in the coming months. Voters also directly supported child care this election through ballot measures at the state level, like in Colorado, and at the local level in St. Louis, Missouri and Multnomah County in Oregon. 

Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA) worked to ensure that child care voters had the resources they needed to ask questions of candidates and show up at the ballot box.