Executive Director's Column
Reva Wywadis
Executive Director

Hello, friends!


Fall weather is upon us (finally), and the change of the seasons also leads to a renewed sense of energy and purpose. The agency continues to lead work in the critical areas of access and quality. We want families across the state to be able to access child care that allows them to enter and stay in the workforce, bringing economic security and a better quality of life. We continue working with community partners to build child care capacity in those communities where the supply doesn’t meet the need. We also want parents to have access to information and resources that help them be the best parents they can be and meet that goal through the distribution of parenting tips and topic-specific information as well as referrals to local community resources.


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Program Highlights & Happenings 

The Fall in Love with Your Home Tour is almost here! NOW is the time to grab your tickets! Make the weekend a special adventure for you and your family and friends by exploring these four homes designed by Thiessen Design + Construction. The Fall Tour is on October 7th and 8th from 10 AM to 5 PM. If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, CLICK HERE to get them now. Tickets are only available online.


We want to thank all our amazing sponsors:

Corporate Benefactors:

Capitol Federal®

Thiessen Design + Construction


Elite Patron VIP Event Sponsors:

ACA Event Rental

Central National Bank

CoreFirst Bank & Trust

Envista Credit Union

Fairlawn Plaza

Furniture Mall of Kansas

Home At Last

Jamie Lou Hornbaker – State Farm®


Corporate Platinum Sponsors:

Capital City Oil

Cox Communications

DeBacker’s Inc.

Ernest Spencer Metals

FHLBank Topeka

Hall Commercial Printing

Jeffus-Botts-Botts Wealth

  Management Group of Wells Fargo  Advisors

Kansas Gas Service

Security Benefit

Corporate Platinum Sponsors:

Capital City Oil

Cox Communications

DeBacker’s Inc.

Ernest Spencer Metals

FHLBank Topeka

Hall Commercial Printing

Jeffus-Botts-Botts Wealth

 Management Group of Wells  Fargo Advisors

Kansas Gas Service

Security Benefit


Corporate Gold Sponsors:

BT & Co, PA

Hill’s Pet Nutrition

SSC Advisors, Inc.


Corporate Silver Sponsors:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas

Calhoun’s Jewelers

Community Bank

Kansas Audio Visual/Electronic   Life

Key Staffing/Premier   Employment \Solutions

Landmark National Bank

Scott & Gina Nellis

Sloan, Eisenbarth, Glassman,

 McEntire & Jarboe, L.L.C.

Topeka Periodontics, P.A.

Corporate Silver Sponsors:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of   Kansas

Calhoun’s Jewelers

Community Bank

Kansas Audio Visual/Electronic Life

Key Staffing/Premier     Employment Solutions

Landmark National Bank

Scott & Gina Nellis

Sloan, Eisenbarth, Glassman,

 McEntire & Jarboe, L.L.C.

Topeka Periodontics, P.A.


Corporate Bronze Sponsor:

ServiceMaster Cleaning &

 Restoration Services by   NEK


Special Thanks:

Cora Spencer

Child Care Aware® of             Eastern Kansas board, staff   and volunteers

Cyrus Hotel

Fellowship Bible Church

KSNT & Fox 43

LBM Solutions

Lindyspring

WIBW

Program Events

Front row from left: CCAEKS Staff, Julie Scott, Michelle Gilbert, Debbie Hildebrandt, Kristen Griffee, Susan Drewelow, Second row from left: Audrey Danielson, Susan Rodman, Grace Cott, and speaker, Ann Meeker Watson

On September 24th, Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas hosted the first Learn & Share since 2019. Child care providers from around eastern Kansas gathered in Topeka for a day full of learning new tools to bring back to their classrooms. The keynote speaker Anne Meeker Watson gave a playful presentation that taught providers how to bring sign language into their curriculum and help children with emotional regulation. We are pleased with how well the day turned out and are already planning for 2023. 

What Our Mission Looks Like in Action

Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities (KCCTO) in Manhattan to support professional development offerings throughout our region. Funded by the Kansas Department for Children and Families, the project will provide many more in-person classes focused on health and safety topics. Provider Services Manager Michelle Gilbert will lead this work for our agency, and we are currently recruiting for three new part-time professional development specialists to teach classes and offer follow-up support to class participants. This state-wide effort will bring new coordination and alignment of professional development strategies designed to better support early childhood practitioners and ensure that the workforce has access to high-quality learning options on these critically important topics. 

Volunteer Opportunities & Engagement Opportunities

We Need You!

We couldn’t accomplish all we do without the ongoing support of many volunteers. Right now, we have two important volunteer needs. First, we still need people willing to help with the Fall In Love With Your Homes tours. It’s a fun and easy way to support our cause, simply signing up for a shift in one of the four beautiful homes on tour. Volunteers will merely “direct traffic” throughout the home to ensure that our touring guests don’t miss seeing a space as they tour. Join the fun!


The second need is for board members. The Board Governance and Leadership committee is tasked with recruiting interested individuals from throughout our service delivery area to serve on our Board of Directors.


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Board & Staff...
2022 Board of Directors
Liz Steffen, President
Cherie Sage, President-Elect
Jamie Stafford, Secretary
Dawn Bicknell-Reiser, Treasurer
Erin Lewis, Treasurer-Elect
Jane Tilghman, Immediate Past President
Lucinda Anstaett
Amy Bauer
Deb Crowl
Catherine Deters
Donna Doel
Matthew Godinez
Paige Jones
Andrea Luke
Lindsey Munson
Catherine Shafer
Kelly Trussell
Staff Members

Reva Wywadis, Executive Director;

Diana Ingram-Cantrell, Accountant;

Julie Scott, Marketing & Communications

Coordinator;

Holly Wehner, Data Specialist;

Earlina Faurot, Administrative Assistant;

Nancy Rohr, Family Services Manager;

Lori Boos (Team Leader), Jasmin Cortes, Michelle Sawtelle, Resource Specialists;

Michelle Gilbert, Talia Juiliano, Renee Wohletz,

Provider Services Managers;

Breanna Gellings, Grants Navigator;

Grace Cott, Audrey Danielson,

Susan Drewelow, Debbie Hildebrandt, Susan Rodman, Early Care & Education Specialists;

Deb Danielson, Kristina Griffee, Tia Wright, Child Care Health Consultants;

Jane Redger (Team Leader), Jennie Heim, Ashley Buss, Successful Connections Parent Resource Specialists;

Stephanie Prue, Library Resource Specialist

Marie Treichel, Special Projects & Initiatives Coordinator;

ERC Resource & Referral, Inc., d/b/a Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas supports the healthy development of young children by improving access to high-quality child care options and educational resources for families and early childhood professionals.
1100 SW Wanamaker Rd. Topeka, KS 66604 • (785) 357-5171 • https://east.ks.childcareaware.org
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