About Us

Deeann Burtch Puffert
Chief Executive Officer
deeann@childcareawarewa.org

As CEO, Deeann guides strategic vision for the statewide CCA WA system by working collaboratively with our six regional Child Care Aware of Washington regions and a multitude of early learning and community partners. Having spent 30 years in leadership with Child Care Resources/ CCA of King and Pierce Counties, Deeann is committed to growing and developing new relationships and partnerships that will continue to move child care and informal caregiving into full partnership within the early learning landscape.

Cameron Joy-Kurtz
Executive Assistant to the CEO
cameron@childcareawarewa.org

Cameron joined Child Care Aware of Washington in May 2014. Cameron believes that access to high-quality child care has a multi-generational impact on our communities and our economy. As Executive Assistant, Cameron supports the CEO, acts as liaison to staff and key partners in Tacoma and around the state, and prospects and writes grants. Cameron studied at the University of Glasgow in Scotland before graduating from the University of Colorado.

Allison Cerny
Project Manager 
allison@childcareawarewa.org

Allison started her professional career working with children as she completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Oregon. After graduating, she continued her career path in a variety of service-based programs, performing multiple roles at each organization, including direct service, coordinating volunteers, and operations. Most recently, she joined CCA of WA as a Project Manager for special projects. In her spare time, Allison enjoys international travel, hiking, snowshoeing, cooking, and gardening.

Sandy Maldonado
Director of Early Learning
sandy@childcareawarewa.org

Sandy has worked with children and families for 20 years. Teaching in infant programs, preschool, school age care, and providing coaching and consultation for QRIS systems. She’s worked in private child care, state-funded and federally-funded programs. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services Management and Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College. Most recently she has joined the CCA of WA’s Program Management team for Early Achievers, Washington’s quality rating and improvement system.

Sandy is passionate about securing equitable high-quality early learning opportunities for families, and ensuring all educators have opportunities for culturally responsive and relevant professional development.

Leah Irwin
Program Manager of Quality Initiatives
leah@childcareawarewa.org

Leah joined the CCA of WA team in January 2019. She has 20 years of early learning and child development professional experience. She has experience in child care, preschool teaching, Child Protective Services, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), ECE university teaching, and Head Start/Early Head Start management. She is in the process of becoming a Program for Infant and Toddler Care (PITC) certified trainer and is experienced in delivering trainings to adult learners.

Leah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Developmental Psychology from Eastern Washington University, and a Master of Science degree in Family and Child Studies from Miami University of Ohio. She is passionate about high quality child care and early learning for all of our State’s children, with a particular passion for our most vulnerable infants and toddlers. Leah spends her spare time with her husband, two daughters, many family pets, and doing crafting, gardening, and most recently, horse activities.

Michael Snow
Program Manager of Early Learning
msnow@childcareawarewa.org

Michael joined CCA of WA in November 2022, after years serving as a coach at CCA of the Olympic Peninsula/Child Care Action Council. Prior to his Coach role, he was an Early Childhood Special Education Program Specialist at OSPI and held several roles at Lewis County Head Start in Centralia. Michael is Contingent Faculty in Education and Early Education at Saint Martin’s University where he also mentors future teachers. He is a WSU graduate and earned his MEd at Saint Martin’s.

Patricia Coss-Maxwell
Project Manager for Professional Development
patricia@childcareawarewa.org

Patty joined the CCA of WA team in 2022. She coordinates training and supports for Coach and RBPD Leads, leads planning for the Elevate Early Learning Conference, and oversees LMS implementation and support. Patty was formerly an Early Achievers Coach at CCA of King & Pierce Counties, a child care provider, a CCA of WA Scholar, and is a Mentor and Adjunct Instructor at North Seattle College (NSC).

Patty has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a Certificate in Adult Education for College Institution from Eastern WA University and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education from North Seattle College. Patty is passionate about early childhood education, math, language, animals, and football (go Steelers!). In her free time, she likes to play with her puppy, Frida.

April Ferguson
Program Engagement Specialist
april@childcareawarewa.org

April has worked in Early Childhood Education for 6 years. She has worked as a center director, preschool teacher, and kindergarten teacher. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and is currently working towards a bachelor’s in Business Management. She is extremely passionate about ensuring that young children have strong foundations for life through high quality learning opportunities. In her off time, she homeschools her kids and enjoys family time.

Maddie Schultz
Program Support Assistant
maddie@childcareawarewa.org

Maddie is the newest member of the Early Learning Program Team as the Program Support Assistant. She assists the team with various activities that support Early Learning. Maddie has worked in childcare since 2014 and has worked as an infant/toddler teacher, Pre-Kindergarten teacher, and center Assistant Director. She holds a General Transfer AA and hopes to move on to pursue her BA and in Human Services and ECE. Maddie also holds a state certificate in Early Childhood Education along with a specialization in Family Childcare. Maddie is most passionate about helping others and creating safe, nurturing environments for children and families. Maddie enjoys spending time with her two daughters, baking, party planning, gardening, and just having quality time with family.

Meka Riggins
Director of Workforce Development
meka@childcareawarewa.org

A strong believer in the power of higher education, Meka is responsible for managing our scholarship program. Her work directly touches the lives of every scholar we serve by ensuring the program runs smoothly and efficiently for everyone. She joined Child Care Aware of Washington the fall of 2011. Prior to that Meka was the development and scholarship coordinator at Tacoma Community College.

Carol Jack 
Scholarships Program Manager
carol@childcareawarewa.org

Carol joined the CCA of WA team in November 2022 as  Scholarships Program Manager. She is passionate about utilizing team collaboration to provide equitable support for students pursuing higher education. Carol is a graduate of Capella University with a Master of Science degree in Organizational Management. She joins us from her role as a Student Success Coach at Pierce College, where she provided career and academic guidance and support for active-duty military service members, veterans, and Running Start students.

Skyler Smith
Scholarships Coordinator
skyler@childcareawarewa.org

Skyler joined Child Care Aware of Washington in April 2022 and works with her colleagues to support scholars in their academic goals through CCA of WA’s available scholarships. She believes strongly in encouraging diversity and inclusion, having  supported non-traditional students in previous positions and appreciated the unique perspectives that students bring to the field. Skyler holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Central Washington University.

Carmen Parra
Scholarships Coordinator
carmen@childcareawarewa.org

Carmen joined Child Care Aware of Washington in September 2023 as a Scholarship Coordinator with a background in supporting local low-income students transitioning into higher education. Carmen is a graduate of the University of Washington-Tacoma with a Bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Urban Development. In her free time, she enjoys drawing and painting.

Ryan Pricco
Director of Policy & Advocacy
ryan@childcareawarewa.org

Ryan coordinates all advocacy efforts for Child Care Aware of Washington and is an effective voice in Olympia for children, families and caregivers during the state legislative session. When the Legislature is not in session Ryan focuses on grassroots mobilization, system messaging, representing us at key meetings with state-level partners, staffing the board of trustees’ meetings, and assisting the executive director. Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington.

Michel Nelson
Director of Family & Community Engagement
michel@childcareawarewa.org

Michel joined Child Care Aware of Washington in the fall of 2016 in a new position to expand support for child care and early learning from businesses and diverse community partners. In addition, Michel coordinates Child Care Aware of Washington’s Family Center with the organization’s regional staff. With a background in marketing, membership and communications, she has led efforts in the nonprofit and public sectors that resulted in innovative partnerships and statewide public awareness campaigns. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Washington State University.

Alex Hanel
Mobilization Manager
alex@childcareawarewa.org

Alex joined Child Care Aware of Washington in 2020 and is responsible for coordinating mobilization activities within the CCA of WA system. Working with CCA of WA’s regional partners, he supports the recruitment, training and coordination of local child care advocates, and works to enhance and expand advocacy efforts on behalf of the child care industry statewide. Alex brings experience in communications with nonprofit childhood development programs, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Studies from Saint Louis University.

Gracie Martinez
Family Services Program Manager
gracie@childcareawarewa.org

Gracie Martinez joined the CCA of WA team in 2022. Gracie manages the Family Call Center, Family, Friend, and Neighbor Play & Learn statewide system, and the Homeless Navigation program. She has a mix of experience working for families in early learning environments, systems work as a non-profit consultant, and advocacy through her many board and committee positions for early learning associations. Gracie holds a Master of Public Administration from the Evans School -University of WA. In her free time, Gracie enjoys spending time with her family, cooking delicious meals, and collecting books to grow her home library.

Rosie Alfaro-Toledo
Communications Project Manager
rosie@childcareawarewa.org

Rosie joined Child Care of Aware of Washington in November 2021 with a background in communications, graphic design, development, community organizing, and finance. She attends Evergreen State College, where she is majoring in Visual Sociology and Early Childhood Education. When not working or in school, Rosie enjoys spending time with her family, re-connecting with her indigenous roots, and painting.

Sarah Kelley
Director of Data and Evaluation
sarah@childcareawarewa.org

Sarah is passionate about increasing quality, access and professionalism in early childhood education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human development, early childhood education and care from Washington State University and a master’s degree in policy studies from the University of Washington. She has experience in resource and referral, family advocacy and teaching in Head Start/ECEAP and child care centers. In her graduate research she focused on early learning quality and child outcomes.

Kathryn Arthur
Database Administrator and Reporting Specialist
kathryn@childcareawarewa.org

Kathryn recently joined Child Care of Aware of Washington in May of 2020 after supporting child care providers as an Early Achiever’s Coach for over 4 years. She is continuing her work in early learning as a member of the data team and is excited to utilize data to support continuous quality improvement. Kathryn has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling with experience in research and data. When not working, Kathryn enjoys spending time in the barn with the animals and road trips to Alberta and Montana.

Joanna Cobb
Business & Data Analyst
joanna@childcareawarewa.org

Joanna joined Child Care Aware of Washington in 2022 as a member of the data team, reporting on and analyzing data outcomes in support of CCA of WA programs and partners. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in public policy, with experience in database management and non-profit program evaluation.

Alan Strand
Director of Finance and Operations
alan@childcareawarewa.org

Alan supports Child Care Aware of Washington’s mission by making sure finance and accounting tasks happen smoothly. He has more than 15 years of accounting, finance and business management experience with nonprofit organizations in Washington and California. His extensive experience in nonprofit accounting, coupled with an ability to communicate affably and effectively about the topic, led to his role at the University of Washington, Tacoma, as faculty in their Nonprofit Management Certificate program.

Wysteria Oliver
Contracts and Grants Manager
wysteria@childcareawarewa.org

Wysteria manages our organization’s contracts with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, regional partners, and our growing portfolio of philanthropic and private grant award contracts. She works with network and region leaders to ensure that expectations and deliverables are met and that financial resources are fully and properly expended. Most recently, Wysteria was Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist with the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning and navigated a complex system of contracts, budgets, and partners.

Nannette Ward
Finance Supervisor
nannette@childcareawarewa.org

Nannette supports the overall accounting process of Child Care Aware of Washington. She previously worked for the University of Washington (Seattle and Tacoma). She is currently working to earn her bachelor’s degree from the Academy of Art University. Nannette thrives on building positive changes in the lives of children and parents alike, and since becoming a part of CCA, has helped foster exciting interactions with staff and community partners.

Tiffany Khanphongphane
Office Coordinator
tiffany@childcareawarewa.org

Tiffany joined Child Care Aware of Washington in 2018, bringing with her seven years of office coordinator experience. She is always looking for ways to make improvements and provide great customer service. Tiffany studied at Renton Technical College where she received her Accounting Clerk Degree.

Janet Fraatz
Director of Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
janet@childcareawarewa.org

Janet joined the CCA WA team in March 2020 to launch the implementation of Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation services here in Washington. She holds a MS in Child Development and Family Studies, a MA and CAGS in Mental Health Counseling, and is a graduate of the Harris Institute certificate program in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Janet has over 25 years’ experience in service to children and families, including her work in program management, staff supervision, and early childhood mental health consultation with Smart Support, Arizona’s statewide IECMHC program. In addition to her work in the IECMHC field, Janet has experience in Head Start/Early Head Start program management, public and independent elementary school counseling and a range of early care and education direct service and quality improvement efforts.

Celeste Farmer
Supervisor of Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
celeste@childcareawarewa.org

Celeste joined the CCA WA team in September of 2021 as the Program Supervisor for the Holding Hope Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation program. Celeste holds an MA in Clinical Psychology and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and Washington. Celeste became passionate about IECMHC when she began working as a Holding Hope Mental Health Consultant in the Olympic Peninsula in Spring of 2020. Along with her experiences as a Mental Health Consultant Celeste has experience as an Assistant Director, Wraparound Clinician, and Dean of Students. Celeste brings over 7 years of experience supervising staff and overseeing programs with a strengths-based approach.

Elena Carrasco
Statewide Bi-lingual Spanish Holding Hope Mental Health Consultant
elena@childcareawarewa.org

Elena joined the CCA WA team in March of 2022 as the CCA Statewide Bi-lingual Spanish Holding Hope Mental Health Consultant.  Elena has over 16 years of experience in childhood services, Early Intervention, parent support and advocacy, Special Education, and program management. She has worked in inclusive classrooms supporting children with varying abilities and their families. She is committed to serving children, families, and providers in reaching their goals.