September 2010

Greetings All!

The heat is on in Texas and in Austin we have been at or above 100 degrees for weeks.  It’s amazing that the summer of 2010 is now behind us and the 2010-2011 school year is already here!  I hope everyone had a very safe and successful summer and that you have transitioned into the new school year with lots of new enrollment!

With all of the planning that goes into the moving into a new school year, I remind you to make plans now to attend the TLCCA Fall Conference in November.  This year we have a number of wonderful speakers scheduled to join us.  Dr. Pam Schiller and Ron McGuckin will be there and Tym the Trainer will once again be with us.  We have lots of great sessions planned and this Fall we will be on the campus of the University of Houston at Clear Lake.  The conference is set for November 12^th through 14^th and you are invited to be a part of this wonderful training opportunity. Additional information will be posted on the website and we encourage early registration so that the sessions you want to attend are available.

The Texas Licensed Child Care Association has been really busy all summer.  Our Legislative Committee has spent time working on the preliminary plans for the upcoming 82^nd Legislative Session.  We have also spent time on the revision process for the Minimum Standard Rules.  If you aren’t a member of TLCCA already, we encourage you to join prior to the start of the upcoming session.  Make sure that we have current email information for you so that we can keep you updated.

Now is the time to make visits to your legislator’s district offices, introduce yourself, and let them know what work you need them to do for you.  Sounds like a scary thing to do?  Not so much, these men and women represent you.  Invite them to your center, introduce them to your parents, and show them the fine work you do everyday! They need to hear from you and they need to know what’s important to you as a businessperson in their district.  If you’re nervous about making a call like this, let us know and we’ll help you with the planning.

In a short four months, the gavel will strike the dais as it welcomes lawmakers to the 82^nd  Legislature in Austin. Setting the agenda is already underway, and TLCCA is at the table. As you’ve read in your local newspapers, or heard on the news, Texas lawmakers may face an $18 to $20 billion dollar deficit when they return to Austin early next year.  This means tough choices lay ahead for our policy makers.  In addition to this budget crisis, redistricting of legislative districts will also take place. No matter what happens it will be an exciting and historic session.  We continue to schedule visits with our legislative members, but nothing makes as big an impression as your participation.  You can make a difference!

Are there issues that need the attention of TLCCA?  As a member of the association, you have access to our government relations resources.  Please don’t hesitate to contact the TLCCA office or email us.  We are committed to representing each of you in the best way possible. 

As I’ve said in all of the previous president’s letters, we need YOU.  As TLCCA plans and prepares for the legislative session that begins in four 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 El Paso might be different than what’s important about reimbursement rates in Tyler.  Those of you in rural areas may have more difficulty getting to the appropriate facilities than your peers in metropolitan areas. However, without your input, we may miss important information. 

If you are not a Full Plus 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 that 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.  You should also take a moment to check out the website for the  NCCA (National Child Care Association), take a look at all the membership benefits available to Full Plus members!  There are some great discounts and some incredible opportunities for members.

Have a safe and successful school year

Tere Holmes

President

Texas Licensed Child Care Association