“Children Learning, Parents Earning, Communities Growing"

Thriving Families California Volunteers

To help support Thriving Families California and your Board of Directors moving forward, we have a couple opportunities for volunteers. Click here to let us know your interest.

2023-24 Public Policy Committee (Updated 1/16/2024):

The Public Policy committee is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on legislation introduced within a legislative year, as well as taking positions on the state budget. The Thriving Families California Public Policy Committee and Thriving Families California staff review each piece of legislation and decide whether or not part or the entire bill could have an effect on subsidized child care, Alternative Payment Programs, low-income families, child care centers, CalWORKs, non-profits, business issues such as independent contractor issues, licensing, children, etc. If a bill is identified with an impact, the Thriving Families California board and public policy committee are asked to review the bill.  Once reviewed and based on the approved policy principles decision will be made for Thriving Families California to either support, oppose or remain neutral on a bill.   

Click here to see the most current bills we are tracking.

Members: Rick Richardson, Child Development Associates, Inc. (Co-Chair)Leslie Reece, Family Resource & Referral Center (Co-Chair)Joie Owen, Glenn County Office of Education; Ana Sanchez, Kern County Superintendent of Schools, Community Connection for Child Care; Beth Chiaro, Child Care Resource Center; Candy Meade, Options for Learning; Cheryl Nelson, Kern County Superintendent of Schools, Community Connection for Child Care; Christine Nguyen, Child Action, Inc.; Christina Acosta, Pomona Unified School District;  Courtney Baltiyskyy, YMCA Childcare Resource Service; Donna Sneeringer, Child Care Resource Center; Eileen Calderon, Child Development Associates, Inc.; Erica Ramos, 4Cs of San Mateo; Gina Azevedo, CocoKids; Gina Fromer, Children’s Council of San Francisco; Heidi Keiser, Child Action, Inc.; Ingrid Littlejohn, Bananas; Janelle Willis, Santa Barbara County Education Office; Mauro A. Camara, Crystal Stairs, Inc.; Jeanne Fridolfs, Napa County Office of Education; Jennifer Johnson, Child Action, Inc.; Jennifer Villa, Child Development Associates, Inc.; Jessica Kranz, Go Kids, Inc.;  Jody Stamps, Marin Child Care Council; Jolie Buberl, Child Development Associates; Karen Marlatt, Valley Oak Children's Services;  Kerry Venegas, Changing Tides Family Services; Kendall Hirai, Crystal Stairs, Inc.; Kirsten Krause, Solano Family & Children’s Services; Lisette Warth, Child Development Resources of Ventura County; Ludie Montoya, Kern County Superintendent of Schools, Community Connection for Child Care; Lupe Castillo, Supportive Services Inc.; Marco Jimenez, Central Valley Children's Services Network; Regina Del Mundo, 4Cs of Alameda County; Michelle Mortenson, CocoKids; Mike Michelon, Siskiyou Child Care Council; Mindy Brown, Valley Oak Children's Services; Myshanae Grant, Drew Child Development Corporation; Naeemah Charles, Children's Council of San Francisco; Patrick MacFarlane, Child Care Resource Center; Phillip Warner, Children's Council of San Francisco; Ricardo Diaz, Child Development Resources  of Ventura County; Sandra Herrera-Gonzalez, Children's Home Society of California; Sara Pfeffer, Curaesoft; Susie Bravo, Crystal Stairs, Inc.; Talia Jacobson, Children's Home Society of California; Tanisha Hughes, 4Cs of San Mateo; Tanya Vega, Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE); Teri Sedrick, North Coast Opportunities;  Tina Barna, Catalyst Community; Tracey Strack, Child Action, Inc.; Tracy Muldrow, CocoKids; Vincent Piscar, 4Cs of Alameda County; Maribel De Los SantosKern County Superintendent of Schools, Community Connection for Child Care

The vast majority of the committee and subcommittee work is done via conference call and email.  The members also have the opportunity if available to come to Sacramento wherein Thriving Families California staff will connect you with meetings to educate legislators and/or testify at hearings.

Finance Committee:

Thriving Families California's Finance Committee reviews all financial statements and accounts on a routine basis, assures the fiscal integrity of Thriving Families California, Assists in development of the annual budget and evaluates requests for major expenditures and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Members: Beth Chiaro (Chair), Child Care Resource Center; Mike Michelon, Siskiyou Child Care Council; Michelle Graham, Children's Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County; Karen Marlatt, Valley Oak Children's Services

Membership Committee:

Thriving Families California's Membership Committee will support the continued development of securing member benefits.  Additionally, this committee will help develop and identify the trainings, best practices and materials needing to be put together to help our agencies.

Members: Jeanne Fridolfs (Chair), Napa County Office of EducationTina Barna, Catalyst Community; Karen Marlatt, Valley Oak Children's ServicesLeslie Reece, Family Resource & Referral Center of San Joaquin County; Jessica Kranz, Go Kids, Inc.; Mika Buchanan, Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County; Marco Jimenez, Central Valley Children's Services Network 

Thriving Families California Staff:
Danielle Metzger
[email protected]

Nominating Committee

It is the responsibility of the committee to secure Board candidates for the ballot and present a slate of qualified, acceptable candidates to the board for approval and to the membership for a vote.

Members: Teri Sedrick (Chair)

2024 Conference Committee

The Conference Committee is responsible for planning and implementing the Annual Conference. The committee ensures that the program will reflect the goals of Thriving Families CA and The Network and contributes to the overall dynamics and success of the conference. The Committee presents ideas and establishes timelines and agendas. The Committee coordinates conference committee activities, establishing a high level of communication between and among the committee, the association coordinator and others.

Members: 

Members: Nita Navarro, Child Development Resources of Ventura County- Ventura County; Heather della Ripa, Catalyst Community- Alpine and El Dorado Counties; Tiffany Phovixay, Family Resource Center- San Joaquin County; Araceli Quintero, Pathways LA- Los Angeles County; Christine Nguyen, Child Action , Inc.- Sacramento County; Michelle Graham, Children's Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County- Santa Barbara County; Emely Garcia, Mono County Office of Education- Mono County; Erika Simmons, The Resource Connection- Amador and Calaveras Counties; Paris Smith, Solano Family & Children's Services- Solano County; Davida Pugh, Bananas, Inc.- Alameda County

Thriving Families California Staff
Danielle Metzger
[email protected]

The R&R Network Staff
Kelly Graesch
[email protected]