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Warren becomes Council’s first African American board chair

Kiara Warren has been elected to serve as chair of Child Care Council Inc.’s board of directors. Warren is the first African American and youngest board chair in the Council’s history, and her three-year term as chair started Jan. 1, 2024. A member of the board since 2017, she most recently served as vice president.

“It is an honor to be elected by the board to serve Child Care Council as chair, said Kiara Warren. “I have enjoyed being part of the board guiding the Council as it transitions from a referral agency to a more holistic organization that helps families and advocates for improvements to the child care system. I look forward to working with board members, Council leadership and staff to further this transition and to continue expanding program offerings.”

“I am excited to continue working with Kiara on the board in her new leadership role,” said Child Care Council CEO Jeff Pier. “Kiara is a forward-thinking, innovative young professional who brings strategic thinking, great perspective and communications expertise to our board.”

Kiara Warren serves as a public relations associate at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Golisano Children’s Hospital. In this role, she is a lead writer and develops and publishes content and communications programs for internal and external audiences. Prior to that, she was executive assistant to the Commissioner, City of Rochester’s Department of Recreation and Human Services.

Warren is working toward earning a master’s degree in Communication Management from Syracuse University, and she earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications: Advertising and Public Relations from RIT. She resides in the city of Rochester’s 19th Ward.

Child Care Council has worked closely with 540 West Main during the last three years to become an agency that will always strive to learn, grow, and become a leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. CCC is proud of earning this seal from 540 West Main to recognize what we have accomplished so far. We are committed to continuing our DEI journey.

Thank you, 540 West Main and Calvin Eaton, for your professionalism and leadership throughout this process.

Child Care Council has been awarded additional grant funding for its prevention-based, consultative service that helps ensure children with disabilities have access to quality child care.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation has awarded $285,000 in grant funding for Child Care Council’s special needs consultation service, which equips caregivers with strategies and supports to reduce suspension and expulsion for young children with disabilities in child care. Built on relationship-based practices, the service is provided through observation, modeling and collaboration. The special needs consultation service was initially funded by a $175,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

“Child care suspensions and expulsions of children with special needs is a troubling issue that disproportionately impacts Black and Brown families,” said Child Care Council CEO Jeff Pier. “We are grateful that the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is continuing its strong support of this important service, which has already shown tremendous results.”

Since the service started in fall 2022, more than 90 children have been served with no suspensions or expulsions. To date, the Council has trained 75 child care providers in the service.

The Council’s team of special needs consultants provide a caring, compassionate, responsive and effective service to meet each program and child’s unique needs. The service, which does not provide 1-to-1 care to children, is available in Monroe, Wayne and Livingston counties. Child care providers interested in learning more about this service can contact Bethany Williams, director, special needs department, at 585.654.1287 or [email protected].

Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that either provide direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health. For more information, visit https://www.cabrinihealth.org/.

A new prevention-based, consultative service at Child Care Council Inc. will help ensure children with disabilities have access to quality child care.

Child Care Council’s special needs consultation service will equip caregivers with strategies and supports to reduce suspension and expulsion for young children with disabilities in child care. Built on relationship-based practices, the service is provided through observation, modeling and collaboration.

According to a 2018 article by the Center for American Progress, “Suspensions Are Not Support,” children with disabilities in early childhood settings represent about 13% of enrolled children but account for 75% of suspensions and expulsions. Children with autism are the most likely to be suspended or expelled, according to Child Care Council, which served 125 families who self-reported at least one child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders between January 2016 and December 2019.

Child Care Council’s team of special needs consultants will provide a caring, compassionate, responsive and effective service to meet each program and child’s unique needs. The special needs consultation service is funded by a $175,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

The service, which does not provide 1-to-1 care to children, is available in Monroe, Wayne and Livingston counties. Child care providers interested in learning more about this service can contact Bethany Williams, special needs services supervisor, at 585.654.1287 or [email protected].

Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that either provide direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health. For more information, visit https://www.cabrinihealth.org/. Further information: [email protected].

Joan Frazier was honored recently with the Small Business Leader Award from Child Care Council Inc.

Frazier was recognized for her dedication to high-quality child care and for her generous support of Child Care Council. Her support includes funding the creation of My First Library at the Council in 2001; getting the Wallpaper Guild to donate wallpapering materials and installation for Council walls and for a new conference room; volunteering at the Repurpose & More Store; funding the Council’s October Family Engagement Conference; and providing an ongoing grant for innovative program support.

Joan Frazier owned and operated Wall Expressions, a small business specializing in residential wallpapering and painting, for 27 years until her recent retirement. A former program director for the Girl Scouts of Genesee Valley, Joan Frazier resides in Irondequoit.

The award was presented at Child Care Council’s Start Bright Gala, which celebrates the importance of early education and high-quality child care in ensuring children get a bright start to the future.

Fausto Prattico, principal of Lavoro Group, received the 2015 Excellence in Leadership Award in the Business category from the Early Care & Learning Council (ECLC).

Prattico was recognized for showing exemplary leadership in advancing high-quality early care and education. Child Care Council nominated Fausto Prattico for the award, citing his efforts to increase awareness of the value of early childhood education, through direct marketing to his business clients’ employees.

The Council also highlighted Prattico and his company’s role as the major sponsor of its annual Start Bright Gala, which raises scholarship funds for ongoing training of child care providers.

“Fausto Prattico and Lavoro Group are tremendous supporters of high-quality child care in the Finger Lakes region,” said Child Care Council CEO Barbara-Ann Mattle. “The Council is delighted that the Early Care & Learning Council honored Fausto’s significant contributions to child care and early childhood education.”

Prattico received the award June 3, 2015 at the annual meeting of ECLC, a statewide, not-for-profit organization that promotes excellence in early care and education.