First 5 and Early Learning For All (ELFA) of San Luis Obispo County Announce the 2012 Hands-on Hero Awards
First 5 SLO and ELFA, in partnership with the San Luis Obispo County Child Abuse Prevention Council and Child Care Planning Council, are pleased to announce five winners of the 2012 Hands-on Hero Awards. The awards are presented to individuals for their outstanding contributions that make a difference in the lives of children, prenatal to five, each and every day.
The winners are: Children’s Health Hero, Nisha AbdulCader, MD, Pediatrician; Family Support Hero, Gabe Garcia, Special Education Teacher, ages 0-5; Early Care and Education Hero, Center-Based Program, Cindy Dunlap, Lead Toddler Teacher; Early Care and Education Hero, Family Child Care Program, Rebecca Higgins, Preschool Owner and Teacher; and Volunteer Hero, Liz Clarke, a 25 year volunteer for ALPHA Pregnancy and Parenting Support.
Thirty-five nominations were received for 16 nominees. Each nomination was screened by an independent panel utilizing a balanced and impartial evaluation. The winners and nominees of these awards will be recognized at the 2012 Hands-on Hero Awards Dinner on April 19th.
Special guest, Jack O’Connell, former State Superintendent of Public Instruction, will offer welcoming comments. Congresswoman Lois Capps will also provide congratulatory comments, and the offices of Senator Sam Blakeslee and Assemblyperson Katcho Achadjian will pay tribute to all of the nominees and the five 2012 Heroes.
Please join us in honoring all of our “Heroes.”
In addition to the award winners, other nominees for 2012 were: Art Apruzzese, Kent Butler, Jan Campbell, Maggie Dunn, Janis Packer, Ella Porter, Bridget Ready, Erica Ruvalcaba-Heredia, Jannine Saldana, Yecenia Silvas and Amy Taylor.
