March 2010
Greetings All!
It’s amazing to think that we are already into March and that a few weeks ago the DFW area saw 10-12 inches of snow. With Spring right around the corner, it’s time to think about growth and new beginnings. The Texas Licensed Child Care Association remains focused on membership growth and new affiliate development. Of course, we are not losing sight of our legislative agenda, making sure we visit with lawmakers in their districts, and of course our upcoming Spring Conference! As you can tell, we are busy making TLCCA the professional association that all early care and education professionals can be proud of.
In the past month, our team has met with key leaders of the Texas House and Senate, and hosted large professional development training days in Austin and Fort Worth. Nearly 900 professionals received TLCCA training in February. The association is able to provide members and non-members valuable training hours, deliver market specific information regarding reimbursement rates, and build support for our issues.
In February, the TLCCA team also attended meetings related to statewide subsidy rate revisions, licensing standards review, and participated in CACFP reauthorization conference calls. Our TLCCA leadership team works tirelessly to make sure that your voice is heard in many venues around Texas!
As I’ve said in my previous president’s letters, we need YOU. As TLCCA plans and prepares for the legislative session that begins in ten short months, we want to know what’s important to you. While we can all say that the increase of reimbursement rates is key to our success, the statement is very broad. What’s important about reimbursement rates in Amarillo, Abilene, Paris, and Corpus Christi might be different than what’s important about reimbursement rates in Plano or Beeville. We are going to continue working on the consistent regulation of all forms of early care and education, as well as child activity and nutrition. These are important issues, but there may be others! Let us hear from you about what you consider important!
If you are not a full member of TLCCA, please ask yourself if you are being represented appropriately in all of the areas important to you? This is your way to also be more than just one voice. By being a member of TLCCA, you become part of something larger, and your voice is amplified all over the state. I encourage you all to take the time to complete the membership application found on the website and get involved today.
We are very busy planning the spring conference. The dates for the conference are April 9th and 10th , in San Marcos. San Marcos and Texas State University will help provide an amazing setting for the conference and we’re anxious to see everyone at our Friday night get together at Mamacita’s. Visit our website to register for the conference, and be sure to make your hotel reservations in one of our designated conference hotels. We’ve got some great vendors lined up and we encourage you to visit their booths in between sessions.
There will be many opportunities at the conference to talk to our Board members about forming new affiliates in areas of the state where we need more support. You will also have time with our Board members to hear about all of the important initiatives that we are working on.
I’ll see you in San Marcos!
Warmly,
Tere Holmes
President
Texas Licensed Child Care Association
