Arlington, VA, March 6, 2017 – The Children’s Leadership Council (CLC) has announced the appointment of Lynette M. Fraga, Ph.D., as Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. The CLC is a coalition of more than 50 of the nation’s major organizations dedicated to improving the lives and opportunities of American babies, children, and youth. Nationwide, CLC
members are working every day to improve the health, education, and well-being of children and youth in order to prepare them for school, work, and life.

The CLC is the only national children’s coalition solely dedicated to supporting, protecting, and advancing investments in our nation’s children from birth through young adulthood and across the issue spectrum, including: children's health; early care and education; child welfare; youth development; and economic support for children and families to ensure that children's basic needs of food, clothing and shelter, and economic stability are met.

Child Care Aware® of America’s Executive Director, Dr. Lynette M. Fraga had the pleasure of speaking with The Preschool Podcast, a platform for leaders in early childhood education to share their experiences, thoughts and insights in the world of early learning.

Helping children develop good eating habits starts at infancy. New feeding guidelines have been released that can help caregivers know what and how best to feed infants and toddlers. These guidelines help make sure that children are getting enough, but not too much of the right foods, so we can reduce their risk of developing health problems later in life.

Arlington, VA – Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Head Start Association (NHSA), and National Indian Child Care Association (NICCA) would like to congratulate Julie Hume and the staff at Kind Hearts Day Care in Princeton, Minnesota. They have been named Provider of the Month for January 2017.

Earlier today, the Senate confirmed President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, on a 51-50 vote with Vice-President Pence casting the deciding vote. This is the first time a sitting Vice-President has had to vote to confirm a cabinet nominee.

Last month, Betsy DeVos had a very contentious nomination hearing with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee which resulted in all Democrats, as well as Independent Senators Bernie Sanders (VT) and Angus King (ME), opposing her on the Senate floor. Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski (AK) and Susan Collins (ME) also joined the Democrats in opposing Mrs. DeVos.

As we embark on 2017, we look forward to a new year and how we can make an impact during the first 100 days of the new administration. On child and family programs and policy we remain committed to ensure the new Administration and Congress are aware of the policies and resources critical for positive outcomes; and, that within states and communities we engage influencers and implementers to advocate for policies in the best interest of children. Our Child Care Works movement is poised to continue the momentum around ensuring that quality, affordable child care remains a national priority for both the new administration and Congress, and upcoming events like the Child Care Aware of America® Policy Summit will position child care advocates to make their voices heard in the first 100 days.