1. family and parenting
2. children

Summer Edition 2015
Dear Friends,
2015 Designers’ Showhouse
5 Fun Facts...
1. The 2015 Designers’ Showhouse
was open for 23 days. On the
lowest attended day, the house
had 100 guests. The highest
attended day was Mother’s Day,
with 408 guests.
2. There were 8 days that the
Showhouse had more than
300 guests per day!
3. The agency and volunteer
leadership received a
RECORD NUMBER OF
COMPLIMENTS on the fantastic
docents this year!
4. Attendance numbers exceeded
the last 5 Showhouses
(2010 - 2014)! This year’s
Showhouse has been the highest
attended since 2009 (which
actually was open for four weeks,
versus this year’s three weeks)!
5. During the 2015 Designers’
Showhouse, we had 5,740 visitors,
280 Patrons and sponsors, and
25 staff...........................................
TOTALING 6,045!
Although the 2015 Designers’ Showhouse
concluded in mid-May, I continue to hear so
many positive comments as people share their
feedback about this beautiful home owned by
Washburn University. The partnership this year
with Washburn was unique, as the Designers’
Showhouse allowed the university to complete
an incredible makeover of the university
president’s residence.
an,
Joleen Klausm -Chair
Showhouse Co
Jeanne Hoferer
Showhouse Co ,
-Chair
A project of this magnitude takes literally hundreds of hours of volunteer time to
execute, and we are so grateful to all who worked on the project in any capacity.
The “dream team” of Jeanne Hoferer and Joleen Klausman inspired the volunteer
leadership team to recruit and engage an incredible number of both new and
returning volunteers. Jeanne and Joleen worked so hard during every phase of the
project, and their positive and upbeat approach was contagious! Many thanks to
Washburn University, including leadership from Jennifer Sourk and Pam Trusdale
representing the Board of Regents, Washburn staff leadership from Rick Anderson
and Rosanna Carvahlo, and (of course) the support we received from Dr. Jerry
Farley and his wife, Susan. We also want to recognize the cadre
of talented designers and craftsmen who showcased their
amazing skills as they transformed this home into a Showhouse,
orchestrated by Showhouse Coordinator Jan Hutt. To all of you,
we extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all you did to
make the project a success!
house
Jan Hutt, Show
Coordinator
The Designers’ Showhouse wouldn’t be possible without the
many corporate sponsors and individual donors who supported
this year’s project. We hope you will patronize the businesses that
support our agency, as their support is a key factor in the success
of this annual event. Please join us in thanking them.
Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas offers positive support and critically needed
services to licensed child care programs throughout our service delivery area,
helping them improve the quality of the care they provide. We assist working
parents by helping them locate and choose child care that supports their child’s
growth and development. What happens in a child’s early years significantly
impacts their success later in life, and we are reminded daily of the need for the
services we provide. Because of the support of our donors, partners and friends,
our efforts continue to make a lasting difference for others and we are extremely
grateful. Thank you!
Until next time…
®
ERC Resource & Referral, Inc., d/b/a Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas
Lawrence Satellite Office
2706 Iowa St., Ste. C, Lawrence, KS 66046
Corporate Office
1100 SW Wanamaker Rd., Ste. 101, Topeka, KS 66604
785-357-5171 in Topeka l 1-877-678-2548 Toll Free l 785-357-1813 Fax
http://east.ks.childcareaware.org l info@east.ks.childcareaware.org
Pittsburg Satellite Office
105 W 3rd St., Pittsburg, KS 66762
Board &
Staff...
2015 Board of Directors
Officers
Morgan Padgett, President
Melissa Wangemann, President-Elect
Cora Spencer, Secretary
Beth Nelson, Treasurer
Jeanie Schuler, Immediate Past President
Members
Ashley All
Michelle Bettis
Jared Bixby
Alison Connell
Joshua Decker
Kellie Dougan
Lori Downing
Jené Haas
Kathleen Heaney
Rhonda Hernandez
Crystal Jones
Staff Members
Reva Wywadis, Executive Director
Becky Meyer, Accountant
Eryn Allen, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Laurie Pigg, Director of Referral Services
Lori Boos, Billie Segrist, Referral Counselors
Kirsten Book, Referral Counselor/Receptionist
Debra McClelland, Referral Counselor/
Research & Data Specialist
Marie Treichel, Renee Wohletz,
Provider Services Managers
Vanessa Apodaca, Grace Cott,
Audrey Danielson, Deb Danielson,
Michelle Gilbert, Margaret Hurst,
Elisa Kramer, Talia Juiliano, Jennifer Pishny,
Sheri Rippel, Tanisha Troutt,
Early Care & Education Specialists
Nancy Rohr, Inclusion & Transition Specialist
Star Robinson, KQRIS Coach
Eleanor Strecker, Early Literacy Specialist
Kris Grinter, Stephanie Prue, Dorothy Smith,
Library Resource Specialists
Exciting Things Are
Happening!
Online Learning Combined with On-Site Coaching
In order to better support the needs of child care programs in rural counties, the
agency unveiled plans to offer blended training options for child care programs.
This new model combines online learning with on-site coaching to assist child
care providers as they implement new strategies into their work to improve their
quality of care. This work, offered through the agency’s Center for Early Childhood
Professional Development & Leadership, is supported with funding from the
Kansas Health Foundation.
“This blended training model is new to our state, and we are pleased to be piloting
this effort in our area,” stated Reva Wywadis, executive director of Child Care
Aware® of Eastern Kansas. “We believe this model will offer the best learning
experience for participants, and will be particularly valued by child care providers
in more rural areas who may be challenged to find high-quality training available in
their area that fits their needs. We are working hard to meet providers where they
are and to remove obstacles they face as they seek to improve their practices.”
“Lettuce Be Healthy” Project
Efforts to increase outdoor activity and healthy eating are in full swing thanks to the
“Lettuce Be Healthy” project funded by the Topeka Community Foundation. (See
photos on the back page!) A “Parking Lot Party” kicked off the effort supporting
56 area child care programs as they picked up gardening containers, soil, watering
cans and seeds. To enhance the learning experience, early care and education
coaches delivered children’s books to the child care programs and provided
implementation support. Gardens are taking shape, and the feedback that we have
received from the programs has been overwhelmingly positive!
New Early Literacy Initiative
In Shawnee County, a brand new early literacy initiative will begin July 1, 2015.
Funded through the United Way of Greater Topeka, 12 classrooms serving at-risk
children will receive an evidence-based curriculum and instruction on how to use
the curriculum with young children. Additionally, classroom materials supporting
early literacy and on-site coaching will help programs implement new strategies
and measure the results of their efforts.
Although agency staff have worked with the United Way for many years, this new
effort is very targeted at helping early learning programs focus on supporting early
literacy development in 3- and 4-year-old children in our community. Many of these
children face multiple risk factors. This initiative seeks to assure that more children
arrive at school in their kindergarten year on target and with the basic skills needed
for success.
Continued Efforts
In addition to the above, other agency efforts
include projects supporting school readiness,
early childhood wellness, family support
through the Strengthening Families program
and referral center work, and efforts to
improve the quality of infant and toddler care
in child care. For more information on
programs and services offered through Child
Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas and to find
out how you can help, please call the
main office at 785-357-5171.
2015 Designers’ Showhouse Special Thanks
The 35th Annual Designers’ Showhouse was held April 25 through May 17, 2015. We are grateful to event sponsors, donors,
volunteers and all who toured this year’s amazing home. Funds raised from the annual project will help Child Care Aware®
of Eastern Kansas continue the mission of helping children in eastern Kansas. We wish to thank those individuals
and companies whose contributions helped to ensure a successful Designers’ Showhouse!
Corporate Benefactors
Capitol Federal
WIBW Channel 13
Valley Self-Storage
Washburn University
Wells Fargo, Neta Jeffus
Corporate Elite Sponsors
Corporate Bronze Sponsors
®
Advisors Excel
Douthett & Co., CPA, PA
Laird Noller Ford
U.S. Bank
Hallmark Cards
Mize Houser & Company P.A.
Reser’s Fine Foods
Print Sponsor
Aboud’s Banquet & Catering
American Family Insurance,
Peter Belluci
AmeriPride Linen & Apparel Services
BT&Co.
Century Link
Ditch & Associates Trash Service
Dynamic Computer Solutions
Kaw Valley Bank
Kitchen Gallery
Lesser Electric Inc.
Lindyspring Water
94.5 Country, WIBW Radio
Pepsi Cola Bottling Company
Peterson Publications, Inc.
Schendel Lawn and Landscape
Schendel Pest Services
Topeka Capital-Journal
US Foods Inc.
Hall Commercial Printing
Corporate Sponsors
of the Week
CoreFirst Bank & Trust
FHLBank Topeka
Wheatland Property Management, Inc.
Corporate Platinum
Sponsors
Bartlett & West
Brookwood Shopping Center
Cox Communications
Ed Bozarth Chevrolet #1 Buick - GMC
Glazer’s
Merry Maids
Corporate VIP Friends
Corporate Gold Sponsors Many Thanks
Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Summers, Spencer & Company, P.A.
Security Benefit
UMB Bank
Corporate Silver Sponsors
Big Heart Pet Brands
BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas
Capital City Bank
CBIZ MHM, LLC
Clayton Financial Services, Inc.
Community Bank
Creative Signs & Design, Inc.
Key Staffing/
Premier Employment Solutions
Landmark National Bank
Polo Custom Products
Porterfield’s Flowers & Gifts
Sharp Honda
B & B Signs
Captured Moments by Christina,
Christina Guivas
City of Topeka
ColorWorks Paint & Supply
Data-Tel, Inc.
David’s Bridal
Educational Credit Union
ERC Board & Staff
Fairlawn Plaza Shopping Center
First Congregational Church
Frank Custenborder & Son Florists, Inc.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Bob Fulmer, Custom Specialties, Inc.
Gage Bowl
Golden Corral
Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce
Heritage Bank
International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, Local #226
Kansas Expocentre
Kelly Express
Lamar Advertising Company
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
Scotch Industries, Inc.
Shawnee County Parks & Recreation
Spangles
WestSide Stamp & Awards, Inc.
Thank You,
Designers!!!
Dining Room: Dan Brungardt,
Home at Last
Kitchen: Randy Warren, CKD, CBD,
Custom Wood Products, Inc.
rd
3 Floor Guest Suite: Morgan Mills,
Jan Sova & Connie Steinlage,
Midwest Health, Inc.
Master Suite: Jill Miller & Jan Davis,
Carpet One® Floor & Home
Home Office: Cindy Manry,
BA Designs, LLC
Southwest Bedroom: Brandi Bryan
Guest Bath: Lorrie Dickey,
Kitchen & Bath Design Specialist,
Lowe’s Home Improvement Center
Northwest Bedroom: Jan Davis,
Jan Davis Interiors
Foyer, Powder Room, Grand Stairway
& Upper Landing: Jan Hutt,
Jan Hutt Interiors, & Leah Martin,
Gardner’s Flooring America
Living Room: Penny Carter, Ruth Fager,
Jolee Spencer & Joyce Winter,
Furniture Mall of Kansas
ADA Bath & Den: Leslie Hunsicker,
Leslie Hunsicker Interiors
Landscaping:
Blessings of Nature, LLC
Gardening Project in Full Swing...
Left & Right Photos: Sheri Rippel, an early care
and education specialist for Child Care Aware®
of Eastern Kansas, working with children at a
local child care program on their garden.
Center Photo: Part of the gardening kit
distributed to participating child care programs.
.
1100 SW Wanamaker Road, Suite 101, Topeka, KS 66604
785-357-5171 or 877-678-2548 http://east.ks.childcareaware.org
d/b/a
ERC RESOURCE & REFERRAL, INC.