Child Care Action Council Staff Directory
Administrative
Gary Burris | Executive Director
As Assistant Director for Quality at the Department of Early Learning, Gary led licensing policy and continued quality efforts begun in the DSHS Division of Child Care and Early Learning. He worked to professionalize the early learning workforce by easing access to college courses, providing scholarships, and delivering wage enhancements tied to higher education. He worked to improve the quality of licensed homes and centers and school age programs through national accreditation efforts and facility grants and loans. At the Oregon Children and Families, Gary’s unit provided state level support such as best practices, staff training and program consultation for community home visiting, positive youth development, child care, family centers, court advocates and relief nurseries. He played a leadership role in carrying out the Oregon’s Children’s Plan – a comprehensive interagency effort to coordinate services for children and families. Most recently with EOI in Seattle, Gary researched and advocated on early learning, asset building, and retirement policy. He has a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a BA from Evergreen.
Brian Cole | Director of Finance and Operations
I lived in several parts of the country, including Nevada and Oregon, before settling in the Puget Sound region in the mid-90s. My partner of nearly 25 years served on CCAC’s Board in 2008-2014, and we have remained supporters of CCAC ever since. Professionally, I have spent most of my career working in the agriculture industry in Finance and Administration. I look forward to working in the non-profit sector and continuing the great work and services CCAC provides.
Allison Woody | Office Administrator / Bookkeeping Assistant
“I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride to make it easier. Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.”
Nancy Hobson | Provider Services Coordinator
I have worked at Child Care Action Council Resource & Referral for over 16 years. Before that I had worked in child care centers in the Olympia area for over 25 years. I started out as an aide and worked up to being a director. In my present position I work with parents and providers through Margie’s Crisis Nursery and the Homeless Child Care Program. I keep our NACCRRA provider data base up to date. I enjoy helping people and if I don’t know the answer I am willing to try and find the answer for you. I enjoy working with providers and helping them get excited about training and now Early Achievers and QRIS. It will help us all do a better job for children.
April Messenger | Policy & Advocacy Manager
With two decades of experience in policy and advocacy in early learning and family engagement, my journey began as a parent navigating the complex systems of childcare and early intervention for my own children. My lived experience and the challenges I faced with my own children has fueled my passion for empowering other families to advocate for themselves and voice their needs within the community to leave a more just, equitable and accessible system that serves everyone, leaving no one behind.
Early Achievers
Kristin Gomez | Early Achievers Regional Coordinator
I have been passionate about early learning ever since holding my first child in my arms back in 1993! Little did I know of the joys and challenges that lay ahead of me! Professionally, I have worked in the early learning field since 1999, beginning as a pre-school teaching assistant. Since then I have enjoyed serving in various roles: lead teacher, center director, CCAC trainer, CDA observer, Early Achievers coach and supervisor. I am thrilled now for the opportunity to advocate for children, families and early learning professionals here at CCAC in the Regional Coordinator position. It is such an exciting time of growth and recognition for our field! Our work IS important and hugely impactful in the lives and development of children and families. Let’s be proud of all the great work and progress we have made in partnership with our hard working child care providers but remember there is so much more to do!
ECEAP
Sabrina Williams | ECEAP Administrator
Program
State Required Training
Heidi DeVries | Infant Family Specialist / Professional Development Administrator
Hi my name is Heidi DeVries and I have just recently joined the Child Care Action Council and cannot say enough about how excited I am to be taking the next step in my professional career by working and learning from such an amazing staff dedicated to children and teachers. Previously I have worked as a preschool and toddler teacher, nanny, and I also lived at an orphanage in the Philippines for three years working with children of all ages. I have always had a passion for working with children and am especially passionate about students with behavior challenges. My role here at the Child Care Action Council will be to work as an infant/toddler mental health and early learning consultant. I will also be teaching classes at CCAC. I look forward to mentoring teachers to better support their students and provide high quality, meaningful learning environments and opportunities.
I currently hold a BA in ECE and Administration and a MA in Education with specializations in ECE and Special Education. I look forward to meeting and working with all of you!
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library / Parents as Teachers / Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Tovi McClellan | Family Services Program Manager
I have over forty years of varied work experiences, including bookseller, restaurant manager, retail manager and paraeducator. I served three years with AmeriCorps, first with the Washington Reading Corps and then with the South Sound Reading Foundation. I also worked with Sound to Harbor Early Learning as a Center Director for seven years. I have lived and worked in Grays Harbor, Mason County, and Thurston County. I consider the beautiful Puget Sound region my home! As a lifelong learner, I am a collector of quotes. Two of my favorites: “We are all walking each other home.” – Ram Dass “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside a team of dedicated professionals as we support and grow with children and families in our community!
Meet the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library / Parents as Teachers / Kaleidoscope Play Team.
Safe Kids Thurston County
Danielle King | Safe Kids Thurston County Coordinator
I have been the Safe Kids Thurston County Coordinator since 2011. I have many years’ experience with children: first, with my own; then years volunteering at school; and also as a preschool teacher and director. I would tell the preschool staff that our top priority was to ensure our students were in a safe environment – then we could get to our vital work. This is essentially why I love coordinating the Safe Kids Coalition in Thurston County. No child should be harmed due to the lack of knowledge or funds to provide safety devices – whether it be car seats, life jackets, bike helmets, or smoke detectors. I have a degree in Art and Art History. Besides painting in my spare time, I care for my three boys, my husband, and Max – the world’s most perfect dog.