Ever Lasting Memories




Dear Members of the ECDCA,



I (Michelle Rhoads), resign as the president of the Elkhart County Day Care Association,
this Jan, 2007. It has been more than a pleasure serving providers and parents, of Elkhart
County for eleven years! Being a part of the association, the friendships I have made, the
growth within our association, as well as the growth and strength within our county…
all saddens me to leave behind. I would like to take some time, to tell a little history behind
the ECDCA, and how it changed my life.




A Little History

In 1996 I started a home childcare. At that time, I wanted to be home with my
children. Carla Freel, had been my childcare provider, off and on since 1991. She
encouraged me to start a childcare…she said “you’ll be good at it.” Ha-ha.
Little did I know, that my true passion would be supporting other providers, in their
businesses? I believe it was 1998 when the ECDCA went through a lot of changes.
At that time there were more than 30 members, and a president with great
intension, but a lot on her plate. Next thing you know, Carla and myself, “somehow”
had stepped up to officers. We were left with, one member…”Pam Freeze” (now a
retired provider).

I believe it was 1999, when another provider group in Terre Houte (Ann Brookes)
contacted us. They asked for our help, at the state level, and with legislators, to
get our three “before and after” school children, back into our ratio. In 1996 the law
changed, and we couldn't’t have the 3 “before and after,” above our license
capacity. Parents had been forced to put these children at home alone, or in
unlicensed care! Indiana providers were outraged!  We went to work on this right
away…We drove all night, on a work night, to Terre Houte, and yes we got lost too.
We gathered signed petitions from other Elkhart County providers and parents, and
took them to a meeting, where the Terre Haute provider group, had arraigned a
legislative panel, to listen to providers, and their concerns about these children
needing to come back to licensed day care!! We lucked out, because “Sen. Connie
Lawson,” was there. She listened with great concern; she was also the chairperson
for the Board for the Coordination of Childcare Regulation. She amended the bill,
and we watched, as it went through legislation. We were so excited that we helped
make this happen!!



I knew then, we could make anything better, for family childcare, and with enough
voices we could be heard, and I knew then, I had found my new passion! At this
time, providers thought the ECDCA was big deal!
Little did they know Carla and I weren’t that big of a deal…lol. When we were
getting the petitions signed, I believe that was when we met, “Yulanda Ball”.
Yulanda was one of a few providers, that worked hard on a petition, to get our 3
school age children back in licensed care. I remember sitting in a restaurant, with
Carla (supposed to be an ECDCA meeting,) and in walks Yulanda with another
provider, and Yulanda has been a member ever since.

One of the biggest things we had to over come, was providers comfort zone.
In the beginning, with the former president (that formed the ECDCA,) the meetings
were held with her food program, and Carla and I knew if this group was to be a
success, and benefit ALL providers, we had to make it separate, from any ONE food
program. We knew we had to reach out to those who maybe weren’t on a food
program, and to the other providers that we hadn’t met through our own food
program.
With that in mind, I changed food programs. We both felt it would benefit the
ECDCA to separate once month and meet other providers. That is when I met “Joni
Decker.” Next thing I knew, Joni was at our next meeting, and brought “Jodi
Bishop.” I thought “Ok…our idea is working, and at least Carla and I don’t have to
stare at each other anymore.”
The next thing we tackled, but didn’t win, was our Home Owner’s Insurance
problem. The fact that insurance companies can and will cancel your policy, because
you do childcare. This was a battle we started, because one of our members were
red flagged from her Home Insurance. It didn’t seem to matter, if you had a
separate policy, or the fact that you were following state guidelines, or the fact
that you had been a long time customer!!It only mattered, if you had a claim, do to
“bad weather” or any NON related childcare claim. They would find a way to get rid
of you, and if you did childcare…that was their way out. We called many insurance
companies to come and speak to the group, we contacted the news papers, and TV,
and this is the ONLY battle we didn’t win!! Since then, providers have found
insurance agents that will insure our “homes” & “businesses,” but it can be costly!!


One- by- one we had new members, and I think we had about 13 members for the
NEW ECDCA!! It took all of us to organize, some providers came, and helped, then
left when they left the childcare business, but all others stayed, and to this day
those providers are still members!


In 2003 in The Elkhart Truth, along with Associated Press, there was an article
about what and “uproar” providers were having about the NEW PROPOSED
CHILDCARE RULES!! Hmmmm? What Proposed rules?
We knew nothing about our own rules, and regulations being revised!
These proposed rules, were pages and pages, of unattainable regulations that
would have closed MOST of our doors!
At the same time other providers were already upset, because a year or two before
that, the state had changed some laws… including drug testing, CDA requirement,
finger printing, and some how, when they were changing these laws…FSSA slipped
in the famous, ”sight and sound!”
Monica Boyer, who we knew from food program, was forming a provider group in her
home town of Warsaw. West of us, one of our providers had met Brenda Brugh,
from the St.Joe Provider Group. One- by- one we started talking on the phone,
probably every day, and pulling our groups together regularly. Providers were writing
letters to their legislators, calling the press, etc. By this time we had, about five
Northern provider groups meeting regularly. These providers were MAD, but at the
same time, they were the most passionate group of people, I have ever met! They
really cared about the children! Some couldn't speak without crying, some were so
mad they couldn’t speak, some wanted to quit providing childcare. One provider in
St Joe actually had a sign in her yard that said
“FSSA and Communism, one in the same,” or something like that!
We felt like we had just been handed a paper that said:
“MUST REPORT FOR DUTY-- GOING TO BATTLE”
We did…we wrote letters, called legislators, called the news papers, TV, got our
daycare parents involved, and on a regular basis, we called FSSA to ask questions.
Since they weren’t going to let us know what was going on, from the beginning…we
figured we had better make it hard for them to pass these rules. These rules
included, “sight and sound,” “35 square feet per child,” and so many other rules,
that would have shut our doors. In a brief description to those of you reading this,
being a new provider, or reading this many years from now, I want you to
understand that providers were being wrote up! Being wrote up for changing a
diaper, because they couldn’t see, and hear all children, while doing this task. They
were being wrote up, for USING THE BATHROOM, cooking a meal, or any other task
that would take there eyes, OR ears, off any ONE child!! In our research, we had
found, that more than 2,000 licensed childcare providers, had closed their
businesses, and the number of unlicensed care, had grown to the point where they
out numbered licensed care! There was a law passed in 2002 or 2003 that stated,
FSSA must have a childcare information web-site for parents, (that’s a good thing),
BUT the state had also placed our HOME addresses on that web site, without our
permission. Providers again were OUTRAGED!!…If you are a NEW provider reading
this, be grateful to the providers I am writing about…Your home address is NO
longer on the state web site, for “unwelcome strangers,” to see. Your address, is
confidential, and should NEVER be placed on the state web site! What the state
didn’t know, is that this battle between FSSA and Childcare Providers, created
strength between providers. It created ONE voice for providers, and we weren’t
going to stop until we were heard, respected, and unified!
(I’ll come back to this story later)



In 2004, the birth of our FIRST childcare association, for family providers was
created. It was named, The “Indiana Childcare Association” (ICA).
Indiana childcare providers, less than three years ago, didn’t have a voice at all!!
We now sit at the same table with legislators, & the Division of Childcare. The
growth of our state association is an on going progress, and I give thanks to all
those providers, that helped start this!! They seen it through some really ruff times,
and to this day, continue to build it!!
The ICA Board has alleviated a lot of stress from our county groups.
They now handle most of our communication with the Div. Of childcare, and that
gives our county groups, more time to grow, and network within our own counties.
Thank you- ICA!!!!!


Childcare associations are very important!! To some of you, it might just be a night
out, friendship, free training, etc. To me, it’s important, because people listen,
when there is more than one voice speaking.
We have stood as a group at the state house, we have had the attention of the
press, and people listened!! Providers in Indiana, stopped “sight and sound,” we
stopped imposable rules, from being passed, because we spoke, and wrote in large
numbers!!
Childcare associations, are important, because it gives you an outlet for your
concerns, it gives you camaraderie, and just maybe, some great education, and
training along the way.
Thinking back, I can remember every member as they joined the ECDCA, why they
joined, and the conversations we had. Every member has played such an important
roll in this group! The ECDCA, will continue to grow, but it cannot grow, on its own,
it must have the strength, and hard work from the providers!
I encourage every member, of the ECDCA, to keep this group alive and thriving!!!



Lasting memories & some funny one’s too:


(Getting back to the story above)
In Sept. 2004, as a group, we went to the state house, to speak before the Board
for Coordination of Childcare Regulation. This board was a non partisan board, of
legislators, childcare providers, & the fire marshal. This was the year we were
fighting unbearable rules, and the laws that had been passed without our
knowledge. The ECDCA took almost every member we had, & providers from all over
Indiana joined us. A few of us had been asked, by Senator Connie Lawson
(chairperson of this board), to speak on behalf of providers in Indiana. “OK…the
biggest day of my life in the ECDCA, was that day,” also the most nerve racking day
ever!! ”Heck, I’d rather give birth again then do this!” I planned my speech; made a
binder copy for each person on the board… (Being organized always makes me feel
a little at ease), “ya –right.”  It was two months before election…
Governor O’Bannon, had passed away, & Gov Kernan, had taken his place, and little
did we know Mitch Daniels, was about to defeat him. It was important for providers
to be heard at this time, and even crucial, because the Governor is always the last
person to sign every law and rule! We needed, “whoever,” to hear our voice. “NO
PRESSURE MICHELLE”…ha-ha!! Just a month before this, I had walked in a parade
with my step-father, who was running for a local office as a democrat, and the “BIG
Democrat” walking with us, was Governor Kernan. My Dad had arraigned, a short,
and very “brief” meeting for me with the Governor. In this discussion, he had
promised to give the rules some consideration before signing them. He mentioned,
“Providers should try harder to compromise with FSSA”…ha-ha! “No disrespect
towards Gov. Kernan, but we already tried to compromise, and that didn't work” We
had already had two very important, sit down meetings, with FSSA! In these
meetings they belittled our concerns for our children, and our businesses. Since that
talk, Governor Kernan, and his office hadn’t returned any of our phone calls, nor
responded to any letters that were written by childcare OWNERS. With that in mind,
I decided at the end of my speech to mention the fact that the Governor had been
ignoring us, and how we felt as Indiana voters, business owners, and Early
Childhood Professionals. I mentioned that providers felt we should have been
shown more respect!! It was then… I was “reprimanded” by Sen. Lawson for doing
that… “I felt like a kid who been caught talking in class.” Overall, my speech went
well, and after mine, Ann Morris, Gina Hartman, Carla Freel, Jodi Bishop, and Dawn
Corvin. Providers were poring in the door along with the press…there were no seats
left, and it ended with a very powerful speech from Ann Stephaniak, (friend and
provider from St Joe / ICA). The entire time, I had been sitting next to this lady,
who was so very sweet, and interested in what was going on. She introduced her
self to me…by first name only. She was amazed in our speeches, and overwhelmed
with the fact, that we, as childcare owners, had been in the dark of own rules. She
then cheered us all on! When it was over, she stuck out her hand, and said: “It was
very nice to meet you Michelle and keep up the good work for Indiana’s children.” I
said “thank you, I will, and may I please have your name again?” She said: “I am
Dr. Sue Ellen Reed” (head of Indiana’s board of education). “WOW”…If the day hadn’
t been overwhelming enough…lol…I needed to walk away soon, so, I could catch my
breath! LOL.

I will NEVER forget that day!!!

Oh yes, did I mention, on our trip down to Indy, all ECDCA members went in Ann
Morris’s 15 passenger van. At four or five in the morning, we left, we shut our day
care’s down, or hired helpers, we wore “whatever,” and took our nice cloths on
hangers…Then we changed in the parking lot of TGIF Restaurant…LOLOLOL!!!!

It was worth it!!!

After election that year, and Gov. Mitch Daniels had won, providers wanted to make
sure he understood, what the proposed rules would do to their businesses. A group
of providers had an idea…they called it, “Walk a Day in My Shoes.” They got the
press involved, and mailed, 100’s if not 1000’s of new, and used shoes to the state
house…asking the Governor, to please “walk a day in their shoes,” before signing
the rules!! This had such an over whelming effect, and positive feed back, that HE
DIDN’T sign the rules!! He sent them BACK to FSSA, and said “form new committees
with PROVIDERS on the board!!”
Afterwards the shoes went to children and families in need!!

When Governor Daniels took office, after not signing the proposed rules, he also
demanded, for “sight and sound” to be revoked! He also changed the authority in
which childcare providers were regulated. We now have the “Division of Childcare.”
The head person, he appointed, was previously a Family Childcare Provider! This
was a BIG deal to providers, it proved to us, that we not only made a difference
with our testimonies, but our Indiana childcare was on its way to uniting, and
preserving the quality care, that we already had.
Earlier when I said; “we all felt we had been handed a paper, stating that we were
going to battle”… I truly believe WE helped change the state of Indiana, in Licensed
Family Childcare! After that, I remember not ever wanting to type again, talk on a
phone, call a legislator (which now were our friends), etc, etc. I just wanted to
sleep all night, for the first time, in a long time, play with my day care kids, and
sit!! I wanted to SIT, and drink coffee, because I can, not because I had been up all
night!!
This too was worth it!!



Some Chicken BBQ Stories:


The first year we had a Chicken BBQ, we were hurting for members, and we had
some old members return, for a few months from the first group.
We sold about… 60-100 tickets each. We had the BBQ at Smith’s Food Mart, on
State Line RD and 33. One of our past member’s & Secretary, brought an umbrella
to cover her, as she couldn’t be exposed to any sun light, do to the fact she was on
medication… which also required her to sit for the day. We had her take in the
money, and tickets. The rest of us ran cars and chicken ALL DAY, and every time I
went to give her money or a ticket, the wind would blow the umbrella, and it would
hit me in the head!! IT WASN’T FUNNY at the time, I was thinking to my self… “Do
we really need her here” LOL. By the end of the day, I truly wanted to stick that
umbrella somewhere!! Lol.
At  about 6PM, still there… trying to sell the rest of our chicken,…lol, Carla, Chris,
(Carla’s nephew) and I, staring at each other again… tired, sun burnt, & hungry, we
decided to leave, and take the rest of the chicken home, and freeze it. There were
about 200 halves of chicken, chairs, money box, coolers, 2 tables, and three of us.
What we forgot, was the fact that Carla, and I had been… yes, you guessed it
“garage sale shopping,” and her SUV was full of stuff we didn't need, but had to
buy!! “How were we going to get both of us in the SUV, and all this stuff?” Well, we
worked out a system, that we thought would work, and somehow got everything in
there, but a couple of chairs, that we decided we could come back for…”OH what
about Chris?”…lol…Well, he stayed there with the chairs. We came to my house,
unloaded chicken, went to Carla’s, and unloaded a door… (Don’t ask) stuff, etc, and
then went back, and picked up the chairs, table, and the Chris… there he was,
sitting at Smiths…lol… (Maybe you had to be there)…but it truly makes me cry, of
laughter, to this day! Chris was about 15 or 16 years old…what a trooper!! Not to
mention, we had him standing with a sign, all day, on US 33… yelling “CHICKEN—
GET YOUR CHICKEN!” lol
OK, we drop off Chris, and then head to the store, where we needed to buy about
100 zip lock freezer bags. Get back to my house, we were so sick of chicken, sick of
looking at those gloves, AND my head hurt from that umbrella hitting it. Not
thinking straight, we started to place the chicken in the bags…we did a few, so far-
so good, UNTIL- all the bags started breaking, one- by- one…I had chicken juice all
over my floor, we had chicken juice all over us, and we were to tired to remember,
that the chicken was to HOT at that time, to put into PLASTIC BAGS!! I am pretty
sure; Carla and I wanted to throw out the chicken!! We counted the money, and I
think we only broke even!
Oh it gets better…All day and night; we had members calling us, asking…

“Hey, how much money did we make?”

OUR REPLY: “NONE, how much chicken can you take?!”



At another BBQ sale, there was the year with the “weirdo,” who kept taking our new
brochures, and REALLY liked the fact, that he could come to our homes… because
we were naive enough, to have placed our ADDRESSES in them!! One of us had to
“sweet talk” the gross guy, into giving all of them back!
It’s only funny NOW!!  

This really isn’t funny…But there were two years, when Ann Morris sold chicken, out
of her van, till about 10pm…THANK YOU ANN!!!!

The last year we had a BBQ fundraiser; it started to rain at the end of the sale. We
still had chicken this time too, and Holly, Ann, and myself, were left. We split up
the chicken to sell on our own (see we learned)…What I didn’t learn, years ago, is
that you don’t ware black under-ware, with beige shorts…lol…BECAUSE… when it rain’
s, and they get wet, you can see through your pants!! There were some “strange
men” staring at me at the gas station where we were selling chicken, not thinking
anything of it, we are all running around, trying to pack things up in our vans, to
get out of there. When I say “RAIN,” I mean it was poring!! There I am, giving
these men a SHOW!! Holly yells “Michelle you can see through your pants.” I said
“who cares”, she said (while pointing) “They do”… all men staring at me…and I say…”
You don’t get a FREE show guys…the price is 10.00 for three halves”
I wasn’t thinking straight again…it must be the chicken that dose it to me!!

Holly and I didn’t stop laughing about that for days!!

Anyone reading these stories about our famous Chicken BBQ’s…PLEASE remember
this…WE did these, because we needed to raise money, to help with our on-going
education!! Education that we weren’t required to have…BUT wanted to continue!!!
That’s the ECDCA!!



IAEYC Early childhood Conference:


My first year at IAEYC Early Childhood Conference, was such an experience!!
Thinking back… I laugh, and laugh.
Carla had convinced me, that every March, we would attend the two days Early
Childhood Conf. in Indy, stay in a hotel, and maybe even shop a little. Leaving my
children, and closing my daycare, for a day wasn’t something
I DID. Carla convinced me that the conference would be FUN,REFRESHING, AND A
NICE BREAK AWAY FROM MY FAMILY. Ok… we get a hotel, (just the two of us the
first year).Its Thursday night, our first night there, we stayed in what we thought
was “nice hotel” with a great price!! Both sitting in our beds, looking at the
conference book, pages and pages, of classes to choose from…until…I looked down,
at the covers on the bed…NOT GOOD!!!! SO VERY NOT GOOD!!! (Carla hates it when
I tell this story). Let’s just say the room wasn’t clean, and we had to change rooms.
Well, first of all, it was really late at night, there weren’t any house keepers, and
only the desk boy (had to be no older than 19 or 20). He comes up to the room, and
thinks he will just change the bedding….lol…He hadn’t messed with “clean childcare
providers” before. We informed him we needed another room!! “OK, NO PROBLEM”
he says. He gives us a key to another room…We gather all of our things, and go to
the room… “WHAT- NO MICROWAVE?” Our other room, minus the YUK… was the
better room, with all the stuff I had to make it through 2 nights…LOL! We still had
keys to our old room, and I thought, “Well we would go get the microwave from the
other room and bring it to this room,” “sounds so easy.” I go on my way to the
other room, to get our microwave… up the elevator, or down?? I cant
remember…NO, I really couldn’t remember…so, I go back to the front desk, LIE (yes
LIE) and tell the guy (BOY), that I forgot something, in our old room and asked
him, for the room number, because I cant remember it. He gives me the
number…and off I go… I get the microwave, and to the elevator I go
again…hmmmm…up or down? NO, I really can’t remember, BUT I met two ladies in
the elevator, also there for the same conference, and of course, I spend time
talking to them…lol. They were so nice, we talked and talked (yes I am holding the
microwave)… they never asked about it…lol…Anyway, we get to their floor…they get
off, and I get off. They say “oh, you are on the same floor as we are?” I said “No….
I’m not.” Back on the elevator… (Thinking to myself) “Surly Carla has sent the Army
to look for me by now?” I finally got to the room, on my way, there were many
people looking at me… probably thinking… “I was steeling that microwave”
…lol…Dare they asked, I would have told them about the “bedding” because, I like
to talk, and Carla wasn’t there to shut me up!! Ha-ha.
At conference the next day, I was in shock by all the providers, classes, and
exhibits! The best part for me was the fact that there were some childcare laws in
legislation that year. The conf. was full of classes, informing providers, as how to
follow those, contact legislators, etc…”VERY exciting for me.” Carla of course went
to “sing along” and “craft classes.” That was the other thing that was so nice; at
the end of each day, we met to share our info with each other…It was like going to
all the classes.
When you go to conference, you will feel like your job is the most important job, in
the world…well it is…There will be hundreds, if not thousands, of childcare providers
at this conf., and it’s so awesome to be a part of that!!!

Carla and I also lost our van in BIG parking garage more than once…From that time
on, we decided to write down where we parked.
It was pretty funny!!
I truly will miss the IAEYC conf. trips the most!!!

The next conference that I remember is the year, Carla, Ann, Jodi, and I attended.
We had enough money in the assoc. account to pay for a NICE hotel for the four of
us. To our surprise… when we got to the hotel, they had given our room to H.S.
Athletes that were there for their state play off’s. The nice thing was we ended up
with a two level suit!
VERY NICE!!!

We have went to IAEYC conf. as a group, many times The last time I went was
2005, & the IAEYC had asked our group to put a presentation together. We were
Excited…BUT I’ll never do it again, it’s exhausting, and I didn’t have much fun! One
good thing about the trip, was we presented with Bridgett Murray (a friend and
officer of the NAFCC), and our long time friends, and officers of the ICA. So there
was Mike Kelly, Bridgett, and myself, presenting (with lots of help from Ann, Gina,
and Jodi). This was the first time the ICA had presented as well, and they were
about seven months old at that time. Also the same year we had put a stop to
“sight and sound” Some Early Childhood Professionals didn’t know how to take us,
nor did they understand our mission for providers at that time. There were times
when I felt like they were throwing tomatoes at Mike, when he was introducing the
NEW Indiana Childcare Association. Over all it went well, we got our name out
there, and I am pretty sure that Indiana knows that childcare providers stand
together NOT apart!!





Carla and I did many fun fairs, some we organized, and some we were invited to
have a booth for the ECDCA. This was overwhelming, and as years passed we didn’t
do it anymore; however the one good thing that always came from it was
NETWORKING!! If we got the ECDCA name out there a little… it was better than not
at all. I believe in 2005 Gina Hartman, and Holly Smith also did this for the ECDCA.
It’s hard work, and takes away from your personal time.
Thank you Holly and Gina for stepping up!!

There are so many other great things we have done as a group, too many to count
(and the computer has said I’m at eleven pages)…ha-ha.
The ECDCA has had many great speakers and educators at our meetings. We have
gone out of our way, with GREAT intension, in our VERY LITTLE free time to help
educate providers, and parents about LICENSED CHILDCARE. We have written
letters, and spoke about LICENSED FAMILY CHILDCARE more times than I could
ever add up!! Thank you to every single one of you for helping each other, holding
hands, and showing great support for
Elkhart County Childcare Providers!!


Provider Appreciation Day

Looking back on our Provider Appreciation Night’s…we have participated in this
Nationally Recognized Day for three years. “Provider Appreciation Day” is always the
Friday before Mothers Day! Our first year, we went all out…called the press, the
mayors office, and invited every Licensed Family Childcare Provider in Elkhart
County. We asked the mayor’s office to present a special certificate, to a chosen
provider each year, for their many years of childcare, hard work, and dedication to
families in Elkhart, and they so they did with great pleasure. The first year we
chose Sharon Raeder. Sharon had been a provider for more than 30 years. Surprising
her we invited her daughters, and mother to the evening of celebration. Sharon is a
pretty smart cookie, so I think she figured out what was up our sleeves right away.
Her daughters had prepared a speech…it was the most tearful, and heart warming
event ever!!
The second year we chose Carla Freel…this gets a little funny… We call the press,
call the mayors office, and call Carla’s family. Now Carla is a very responsible
woman…BUT, has a tendency to be late at least 15 to 20 minutes. When you own
your own business in your home, you’re never late to work…but when you have to
venture out…some times we are…lol.
Her son and daughter-in-law, had been there for about a half an hour.
I say to Carla’s son…”where is your mother?” He says “When I talked to her she
thought it was next week for this event…and didn’t know, if you would really needed
her help or not” WHAT??? I am freaking out…Thank God earlier in the day I had left
her a message that said: “Carla I need you to be there tonight, I cant put this
evening together without YOU” So as usual, Carla thought I needed her, and she
did show up…a little late…but there!  So far, so good, she sees her son, and still
didn’t know it was about her…lol! It wasn’t until the Mayor spoke, when she realized
it was about her! Now we also recognize all providers that attend the evening of
celebration, and we put a lot of work into a nice evening, and of course I’m a
control freak…Noooo really??
The following year, which was just last year, I had a lot on my plate personally…so
I needed to delegate. I decided that the two past providers of the year could be in
charge of organizing the evening. I wrote down everything they needed to do, etc.
From behind the scenes this was making me a mess…lol!! Little did I know, they
had chosen their provider of the year, and organized the entire evening. One of
them had to have told the poor lady at the mayor’s office…. “JUST BARE WITH
Michelle”…because between email and phone calls, I had to have been driving this
lady crazy!! Telling her what I needed the mayor to say, etc. They told me, the
provider of the year was going to be Ann Morris! “OH GOOD” I thought…”she
deserves this so much!”
OK…we get to the church; THE ONLY THING I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO WAS BRING
THE PUNCH…and I didn’t do that! So, I had to leave to get the punch, and thank
God its Elkhart (I’m thinking), “I knew I wouldn’t get lost”…lol! Thinking to myself…”
I can’t believe I forgot the darn punch.” I go to what I think is the closest
store…the bridge is closed??? CRAP!!!…I have to go around, (I have never told any
of them this).Kroger is right down the street…but for some reason I headed to
Martins…lol!
Get the punch…hmmmm…”bridge is closed stupid”…turn around…and finally get back
to the church. To my surprise, there’s my Mom and Dad… thinking… “OH Crap I
forgot to tell Carla I invited my Dad to speak, because he was running for State
Representative.” We always invite a state Representative to join us for the
evening. Ok, I look at Carla and say “you need to add my Dad to the agenda, and I
am so very sorry I forgot to tell you.” Boy she’s good; she just played along and
said, “Ok.” I look and see that the seats were all wrong (I was still thinking this to
myself)… “They had Ann Morris sitting at the end…and me at the front…well this
wasn’t going to work when she received her certificate, and I needed to take
pictures for our web site…Plus, how was the Elk. Truth going to get their picture?”
I thought, “shut up Michelle everything looks great, Sharon and Carla did a
wonderful job…so shut up!”  The evening always begins with the certificate from the
Mayors office, and this year it was Steve Bowers presenting. He had started his
speech, and was saying so many nice and true things about Ann…I’m looking at
Ann…”she was clueless this was about her”…lol. I get my camera ready…”WHAT NO
BATTERIES…CRAP”…I thought “I have some in my bag across the room” So, I tip-
toe…across the room…I heard someone gasp, I thought “what… I’m just getting
batteries” lol…I sit back down, and Steve is at the end of his speech, and he
presents it to me. What? (I really wanted to correct him) and say, “NO, its Ann
Morris… can’t you read?”
Then, in walk’s my husband and children, and I think it finally sunk in. It was nice,
very nice…and probably the only time the group left “ME SPEACHLESS!”  Later I
found “the gasp” was because I passed a door where my husband, and children
were standing… when I just had to have those batteries, and I never seen them.
The group also recognized Ann Morris, as their provider of the year!!
The ECDCA did an amazing job!!  



I want to take time to recognize two providers…One that really stepped up to help
during our concerns with the past proposed rule changes, and another provider that
has recently stepped up all of 2006-2007, for the ECDCA.
The first one is Ann Morris, thank you Ann!
From 2003-2005 she never asked why, where, or when. I would call her, and say
“there is a meeting in Indy Ann” “Ann, there is a meeting tonight in Mishawaka”  
“Ann I need this”  “Ann can you do that, Ann, Ann, Ann!!”
She wrote letters to Indiana legislators, she wrote letters to U.S. Senators, she
wrote many letters to news papers all over Indiana, and most of all she went
everywhere with me, while we fought to keep doors open for Elkhart Providers!! Ann
gave speeches she didn’t think she was capable of giving, and did so, with great
passion!!

I will never forget our travels Ann, thank you!!

Gina Hartman is the other provider I would like to give a special thanks to.
This past year, Gina stepped up; she has taken my place on supporting boards of
the ICA, Div. Of Childcare, and even locally she has stepped in to represent the
ECDCA!! Gina has done this, for all providers in Elkhart!! Gina has traveled more
times then I can count, for our present state childcare, rule meetings! She has kept
us informed, she has left her own business, and own children, to work hard for the
ECDCA!! Gina has had many great ideas for networking…Gina is ALWAYS thinking!!
Thinking so much, that when my phone rings, and I know it’s her…I already know
another idea is on the way!! Gina is a professional letter writer, she is probably
proofreading my letter right now, ha-ha.
The ECDCA is fortunate to have you Gina, I can only hope and pray, you stay on to
help LEAD!!!

GOOD Leaders are hard to find!!






A little note to each member:




Ann Morris,

Ann I will always be so very grateful of all the hard work you personally put forth for
the ECDCA. At the drop of a hat you drove many many many places with me for the
proposed rules, wrote letters, called providers, set up meetings, gave your
testimony more then once…and drove all around town to do “this and that” every
month!! You were more than just a member or Treasurer…You were and are a friend
to everyone who has ever joined the ECDCA!! I will miss doing childcare beside you
for more than 10 years now!! It’s been fun. What I loved the most is the fact that
because our homes are so very close we both knew in the beginning that it could
create a problem for parents who like to bounce their kids from provider to
provider…BUT WE NEVER let it come between our friendship. We kept it
professional at all times!! I will always be on your side. You are a wonderful
provider Ann…You always have done more than most, you go above and beyond
your duties…Parents should thank YOU every day for caring for their child!!! PS. (If I
ever need to stop a head start bus from coming to my house, just let me know!!!)
LOL.
I will miss you Ann, and I love you!! Good luck in the future where ever it leads you!!







Yulanda Ball,

Yulanda I will miss you!!!! You really have to call me at least once a week when I
move or I will miss it a lot!! You have made my day more than you know!! I could
be down in the dumps, crying, stressed, whatever?? And Yulanda calls…yeah… You
made me laugh way too many times to count!! Do you want to know when I knew
you were a TRUE friend?? When we had our differences about the assoc. and I
would yell at you and you would yell back at me…and at the end…you still were my
friend…calling, saying, “what can I do Shell?” “Are you Ok Shell?” I thought to
myself “I just told this woman off and she still is talking to me”… LOLOL Well, that’
s when I knew, you respected my discussions even if they were BAD ones…and
NEVER put me down for the job I did when it didn’t work out the way “I” thought it
would!! Other members need to know that some of the things we did, or planned
were your ideas. One time I called you in an emergency for a meeting, and you
stood in for me. Yulanda you were always there!! I encourage you to always be
there for this group when I leave… they need you too!! Yulanda you too are a
respectful provider, your home is wonderful, and you make those children
laugh…and that’s wonderful to find in a provider!!
I love you, and will miss you!!











Dawn Corvin,


Dawn, I have known you the longest. I have known you for 23 years (if I did the
math right). So, of course this isn’t a good bye at all to you! Your sister’s I am sure
will always give us something to talk about. I love your parents like they were my
own! Even if your Dad is ornery!! Lol. I am glad you joined the ECDCA, well I didn’t
really give you a choice when you called and said “I am starting childcare please
come over and help”…I also said “oh, you need to join the ECDCA, and the food
program” Lol. You too have always been here for the group, letters, trips, state
house, phone calls, etc. Your letters were amazing and powerful…BUT some
“emails” we needed to weed out…ha-ha! However, I know you, and to know you, is
to know how passionate you are when you care about something or someone!! I am
VERY fortunate to have you in my corner as those children are VERY fortunate to
have you care for them!! Your childcare has always been full to ratio with very little
turn over, and that tells me that you are doing a great job with those children!!
I love you, and I am VERY proud of you for going through with getting your
Education!!! (Email me when the sisters are being mean…and I will take care of it)
lol!
Ps. this group needs you, don’t let them-let you go!!!
I heard through the grape- vine you fought a battle with state and CDA concerns
lately… GREAT JOB!!!!






Jodi Bishop,

Jodi I will always be grateful to your hard work and effort you have put into the
ECDCA! You were at every fundraiser, conf., etc. You wrote letters, took on
responsibility when called upon. You always had strong and great ideas!! I can only
pray that you stay on as an officer to help this group grow!! You were a good friend
to me through personal things, and I knew I could always count on you to uphold
the association!! I know in the future these members will be able to count on you!!
I remember our first IAEYC conference, I didn’t know you very well on a personal
level, and I just assumed that at conference you would go to all the finger painting,
and pre-school classes, because those are the FUN classes…lol. I of course, go for
all the legislation, association, communication, “BORING” classes…BUT there was
Jodi, sitting in there with me…I remember saying “Jodi you can go to some fun
classes too” You said “oh I am…BUT I need to go to these for the association”
I knew then, that you didn’t just become a member to be a member…You joined to
HELP!! WOW did we need that!! Thank you Jodi, and I will miss you very much, but
I know I will talk to you through email!! You are a wonderful provider, you too go
out of your way for children in your care, and you go out of your way for other
providers who need your friendship!! Take care, I love you!


Sharon Raeder,

Sharon you are a very strong & sweet lady. I am so very glad you joined the ECDCA.
I regret NOT putting you to work a lot sooner, at the last provider appreciation I
remember saying “WOW Sharon Raeder is really a smart business women” “Why
didn’t we ask for her help before now?” I can only hope that the association has
brought some new ideas, and support to your childcare.
You also have worked hard at every fundraiser, and event!
Thank you for your support!
You deserve the best with whatever you do; you are hard working, and a very kind
person!! I will miss you Sharon. Hope you get plugged into the web soon so we can
email. I love you!



Mike & Melissa Kelley,


Melissa in the beginning when you were trying to keep your doors open to ridiculous
rules, fire wall issues, etc, etc, I often wondered why you and Mike kept coming
back to join the ECDCA…LOL. I thought “surly they have had enough drama in their
lives without our issues”…lol. We had disagreements, you came back, we stood on
different sides of the fence for a while…still you came back!! It doesn’t matter who
bent more, who spoke when…what matters is WE stood together even when we didn’
t agree 100%!!! That is what the ECDCA-ICA is all about!! You have become a VERY
special friend to me when I needed one most, and I appreciate that more than you
know! You and Mike are awesome people, who love children, and people see it on
your faces when they meet you!! You surround yourself with the chores of doing for
others!! People like you Melissa, and you Mike, are hard to find!!
Mike, you are a wonderful speaker…I really mean that…You speak from the heart,
you speak the truth, and you NEVER bend on what you believe in!!!
Mike and Melissa, thank you for your commitment to the ECDCA-ICA. We can only
hope that providers like your self, follow and join as well!!

With love and great gratitude, good bye, and take care!






Holly Smith,


Holly, wow I sure have seen you go through many life changes!! You some how
managed to keep a wonderful childcare a float with a perfect reputation for
childcare. To this day, when I mention your name to parents, they go on -and –on,
about what a wonderful person, and provider you are!! Your Life has thrown many
rocks to dodge…and you did!! It was my pleasure to be your friend through it all!! I
see your great intentions for the ECDCA, and I know they would be proud to have
you step up for a more responsible position. You too made me laugh many times
over, your children are beautiful, and you are one of the kindness people I know!! I
will miss you Holly, with love, please keep in touch!


Joni Decker,

Joni I know at this time you haven’t been able to make the meetings, BUT I do
hope you return soon, we all miss you very much!! I never told you this, but when
you joined the ECDCA I was so PROUD…you had such an awesome reputation as a
childcare provider, I thought “WOW if we can get Joni Decker we can really build
this group to the professional level we need!”
I do regret not being able to conquer OUR Home Owners Insurance problem.
I hate not being able to fix things…lol. It was then that I got to know you, and your
passion for children. While fighting that battle, you couldn’t talk to me about the
children in your care, without crying for them, and the fact that you might have had
to shut your doors on children you had helped raise and watch grow! Your childcare
is awesome, and makes most of go home and think of ways to make our own
better!! You stuck it out…and I am so proud to know you still serve Elkhart’s
children!! Take care Joni, and love you, and will miss you!!


Jo Ann Washburn,

Jo Ann thanks so much for joining the ECDCA!! You are our brand new member this
last year, and I was afraid so many times that we may not be fulfilling your needs
as a provider. I commend you for your resent education in childcare, and Early
Childhood Education. As a single mom I can only imagine how hard that may have
been…BUT you did it!! Through word of mouth (our most important advertising) you
shine in your reputation as being a GREAT childcare provider!! The ECDCA is once
again, lucky to have such an educated and wonderful person join!! Thank you Jo
Ann, and please continue to share your ideas and strengths with this group!  


Gina Hartman,


Gina after I leave town, I will truly miss you… I will miss our brain storming phone
conversations!! Gina, you joining this group was also a great memory for me. You
came into our group with tons of questions, but most all you came to our group
with many many ideas…Ideas that will make this group stronger, better, and help
keep us Elkhart’s Number One Choice for Quality Childcare!
I won’t miss our phone conversations, because I want you to still call me…lol!! Your
childcare is wonderful, your education is outstanding!!
You achieved your education while being a single Mom of four, and running a round -
the -clock childcare!! I get tired, just thinking of all that you do!! You my friend
truly deserve a metal!! You are, and will continue to be, a strong leader!! Don’t let
it all get to you, don’t get flustered, and stay on track and stay focused, but most
of all… ASK for help!!!
I hardly ever did…and that is where I went wrong… “Needing to do it all.”
I will miss you; I love you, take care, and stay strong!!






Carla Freel,

Carla this is just a simple good bye, from one provider that started the ECDCA, to
the other provider that started the ECDCA. Any other type of good bye, I cannot
bring myself to do…NOT with you!!  
Well lady, look what we did after staring at each other for about 24 months. Look
as these awesome providers, and members. Look at the way we all have networked
within the county, and state. I remember when we would say “surely they will join
soon.” After mailing more invites than we ever could count…and making more phone
calls then we could ever add up…still I enjoyed every minute of this group!! Even
the times we got lost!!
Carla, I owe everything to you!! You encouraged me to become a provider, joining
the ECDCA, and the CACFP. I must have called you everyday, in the beginning of my
childcare, to ask for help and advice. Because of childcare, I am a better person
than I was 11 years ago, I am a better mother, and I have learned how to be a
successful small business woman! You have shown me how to run a Licensed
Childcare…NOT a babysitting service!!  Thank God you were there so many times, to
kick me under tables when my mouth may have gotten me into trouble…lol. I grew
as a person…BUT you opened that door!! You are the BEST childcare provider in the
world, and yes of course I’m bias...lol! BUT YOU ARE!! “Play to learn, and a hands
on childcare” that’s Carla Freel…NOT just when you’re getting paid…you will spend
her free time with children too…crazzzzzy!! Maybe you have to be crazy, to be one
of us? I don’t know…all I know… is… I had fun, and I will miss all of this, not just
some of it!!
I love you, take care of YOURSELF first, and of course I’ll talk to ya later (smile).

I will miss all of you very much, please keep this group together, strong, and
growing!! Everyone of you made my time in childcare better!!
Thank you!!

I love "Family Childcare Providers"...
The BEST childcare for children is FAMILY!



Sincerely,

Michelle Rhoads