Eighteen Outstanding Child Care Providers Recognized on Capitol Hill

Eighteen Outstanding Child Care Providers Recognized on Capitol Hill

Members of Congress Joined PBS Stations WETA, KCET and PBS in 'The First National Child Care Providers Awards Ceremony'

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- "The First National Child Care Providers Awards Ceremony" recently honored 18 outstanding child care providers who have appeared in the Peabody award-winning series A Place of Our Own and Los Ninos en Su Casa. Six Members of Congress and the program host presented the awards at a special luncheon presented in Washington, D.C. Oct. 10 by PBS stations WETA (Washington, D.C.) and KCET (Los Angeles).

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071017/LAW065)

A Place of Our Own and its Spanish language companion, Los Ninos en Su Casa, were developed for parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children. Kindergarten teachers estimate that one in three children is unprepared for the challenges of school. The series respond to this need by providing parents and child care providers with information about helping young children develop social, emotional and cognitive skills.

The "Child Care Providers of the Week" were nominated by their local public broadcasting stations and viewers. They have been profiled on the programs as well as on the shows' Web sites at http://www.aplaceofourown.org/ and http://www.losninosensucasa.org/.

The national honorees who received Congressional letters of recognition from their legislators, included: Grace Alams, Seattle, Wash.; Sally Avila, San Antonio, Texas; Tammy Beeman, Lorain, Ohio; Aisha Bhatty, Springfield, Va.; Kimberly Byrd, Fairburn, Ga.; Ruth Collazo, Pearl River, N.Y.; Leonor Conant, Anaheim, Calif.; Mary Dammann, Tijeras, N.M.; Louise Doino, Wall Township, N.J.; Khurshid Ferozepurwalla, Anchorage , Alaska; Aida Fowler, El Paso, Texas; Desiree Grimes, Cheyenne, Wyo.; Bernice Lothery, Toledo, Ohio Linda Lozano, League City, Texas; Raul Perez, Hialeah, Fla.; Corvella Rosier, Tallahassee, Fla.; Margaret Saldana, Austin, Texas; and, Michelle Schaefer, Indianapolis, Ind.

As Al Jerome, president and CEO of KCET said, "The providers we honored today play an important role as our children's first teachers. They are the unsung heroes of our communities and I'm glad we could come together today and celebrate their accomplishments. We want to thank PBS, CPB, the BP Foundation and First Five California, which have made it possible to provide these caregivers with important educational tools."

Members of Congress participating in the program included Reps. Loretta Sanchez (CA), Lincoln Diaz-Belart (FL), Michael McCaul (TX), Charles Gonzalez (TX), Marcy Kaptur (OH), and Ron Paul (TX).

The awards ceremony was emceed by program host Alina Rosario of Los Ninos en Su Casa and by Activities and Imagination Expert Alec Colchico of A Place of Our Own. Speakers included: Paula Kerger, President and Chief Executive Officer, PBS; Joseph Bruns, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, WETA; and, Al Jerome, President and Chief Executive Officer, KCET; Patricia Wright, President, BP Foundation; Kris Perry, Executive Director, First 5 California; and, Patricia Harrison, President and CEO, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The two programs have been recognized with several national and local awards, including a Peabody, Parent's Choice and an Emmy. BP Foundation, First 5 California and Corporation for Public Broadcasting provide major funding for the series. For more information, check your local listing or visit http://www.aplaceofourown.org/ and http://www.losninosensucasa.org/.

"BP is delighted to join in honoring these wonderful caregivers who are making remarkable contributions to the lives of young children," said Patricia Wright, President of BP Foundation. "We made a $20 million dollar commitment to ensure that this program was developed, and we are proud to be associated with these unique series, which are helping young children enhance their educational skills."

"Public television recognizes the importance of preparing kids for success in school and in life, and provides content and resources available through PBS KIDS, PBS Parents, PBS Teachers and the Ready To Learn initiative to help contribute to children's positive development. 'A Place of Our Own' and 'Los Ninos en Su Casa,' provide another platform for us to reach out to the adults who care for young children. PBS and its member stations are deeply proud to bring these remarkable programs to the public," said Paula A. Kerger, PBS's president and chief executive officer.

A Place of Our Own and Los Ninos en Su Casa are produced by KCET and were launched in September 2004 with a goal to educate and inspire child care providers. The series are broadcast on PBS stations across the country.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071017/LAW065
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: KCET

CONTACT: Kelly Dieter of Hayes & Associates PR, +1-703-288-8684, Cell,
+1-704-619-5508; or Victoria Portugal of Valencia, Perez & Echeveste PR,
+1-626-403-3200, Ext. 221, Cell, +1-562-587-9525, both for KCET

Web site: http://www.aplaceofourown.org/
http://www.losninosensucasa.org/

---

Profile: International Entertainment