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Welcome!News. Views. Business
advice. That's what our new newsletter is all about.
Every six weeks or so, you'll now receive the Advisor.
You'll hear about priority initiatives, success stories
and the people who work so passionately to create
quality child care experiences. You'll also benefit from
tips, hints and management tools to strengthen your
business. Story ideas are always welcome. If someone you
know would like to subscribe to this newsletter, please
visit http://www.firstchildrensfinance.org/sign_up. | |
| A Tale of Two
Centers
Notes from
Jerry Cutts
As we all struggle to succeed
in this rocky economy, I'm reminded of two centers that
faced identical challenges during the nation's last
recession. One failed; one succeeded.
Read
more... |
First Children's Opens Offices in Michigan and
Iowa
The lights are on the and
phones work in First Children's new state offices in
Detroit, Michigan, and Des Moines, Iowa. With the
enthusiastic support of First Children's funders, local
staff is now in place to build partnerships and deliver
First Children's programs and expertise in communities
across the two states.
Read
more... |
| Bremer Foundation Makes Award for Work in North
Dakota
The Otto Bremer Foundation,
St.Paul, MN has made a two-year grant of $55,000 to
expand First Children's Finance programs and to support
quality enhancement initiatives in North Dakota
nonprofit child care centers.
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| First Children's Growth Fund Now in Five States -
30 Centers Benefit from Business Expertise and Grants
A group of Southern Minnesota
child care centers will soon join First Children's
Growth Fund centers in the Twin Cities, Iowa, Michigan,
South Dakota and North Dakota that are already working
closely with business advisors to improve quality and
business practices.
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Jim
Dickinson Receives Economic Development
Certification
Congratulations to Jim
Dickinson, First Children's loan fund director, who
has been certified as an Economic Development Finance
Professional by the National Development Council! The
intensive four-course training series and examination
explores the skills essential for the successful
practice of economic development - business credit and
real estate finance analysis techniques, loan packaging
procedures, negotiating and problem solving skills and
deal structuring
techniques. |
| Learn How Play Areas
Help Brain Development
Well-designed play areas can
help kick start the development of young children's
brains. Nedra Sims Fears, First Children's business
development specialist, has developed a training program
to help early education and child care professionals
learn how to use play as a powerful learning tool.
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Meet First
Children's Directors and Staff
In each issue of the
Advisor, we'll be interviewing two members of First
Children's board of directors and two staff members.
You'll hear about their expertise and passion for First
Children's mission.
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 Meet
Linda Smith
Chair, First Children's Finance Board of
Directors
The chair of the First
Children's Finance Board of Directors, Linda Smith
is executive director of the National Association of
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA).
Prior to joining NACCRRA, Linda held various youth- and
family-related positions in the U.S. Department of
Defense and served as a staffer to the U.S. Senate
Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Linda is
a native of Montana and a graduate of the University of
Montana. She has two grown children and three
grandchildren. Linda is currently the chair of the First
Children's Finance board.
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 Meet
Gary Jager
Treasurer, First Children's Finance Board of
Directors
Gary Jager
is chief financial officer for Travelers' Financial,
Professional and International Insurance business. Gary
has been with Travelers (formerly the St. Paul
Companies) since 1974, joining the company after he
graduated from St. Cloud State University. He began his
career as a cash flow analyst working up the career
ladder to CFO for two of its business lines. Gary, who
holds an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota, is
also on the Courage Center Business Advisory Board and
is a Cub Scout leader and Little League coach. He serves
as First Children's treasurer.
Read
interview... |
 Meet Monica Duncan
State Director, Michigan
Monica
Duncan is the new director in First Children's new
Michigan office. Before joining First Children's
Finance, Duncan served as executive director of the
South Oakland Shelter where she coordinated over 65
faith-based organizations to shelter the homeless.
Duncan has also had experience as a program supervisor
for Black Family Development, clinical social worker for
Neighborhood Services and an educational and
recreational coordinator for Catholic Youth. She has a
master of social work degree from Wayne State University
and a bachelor of science degree in psychology from
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
Read
interview... |
 Meet Lisa Sams
State Director, Iowa
Lisa Sams
is the new director of First Children's new Iowa office.
Before joining First Children's Finance, Sams was the
executive director of Walter Hammond Day Care in Quincy,
IL. She also worked with the Illinois Department of
Children and Family Services supporting a variety of
program areas related to parenting. During that time,
Sams also served as a trainer for Lincoln Land Community
College in Springfield, IL, specializing in education
advocacy and transracial parenting. She has received the
YWCA Woman of Achievement Award and was recognized in
2007 as the "Tri-State's Best" by Quincy, IL, area
media.
Read
interview... | |
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Supporting the business of child
care
