New CATCH Grant Facilitator
Dear District VIII Chapter and District Leaders:
I am delighted to let you know that Dr. Wendy Hobson-Rohrer of Utah has accepted Dr. Mary Brown's appointment to the position of District CATCH Facilitator for District VIII. Wendy is officially transitioning into that role now as my term expires next week. Wendy has been a fabulous Chapter CATCH Co-Facilitator for Utah for years, so many of you know her. She "stood in" for me as DCF at a meeting last year, and we have been preparing for this transition. I will let her introduce herself to you further, but I wanted you to know that I am thrilled that she is taking this position.
I know she will work with all of you to make the CATCH program in District VIII even stronger in the years to come. I want to thank you for the work you have done for CATCH during the three years I have been the DCF, and for years prior to that for many of you. District VIII is a huge geographic challenge, and so it is hard for us to develop relationships with so many people across the miles and time zones. During my tenure I have tried to take steps to increase communication with and support for the CCF's, as well as share ideas about engagement of CATCH with Chapters. I think we have started to make some progress, and I know Wendy will build from this with your help.
At the national level Wendy is joining a stellar group of DCF's, including a number of new faces with many strategic ideas and the energy and dedication to implement them. In addition to the grant guidance and scoring process updates we recently completed; we have done a lot of work in strategic planning. I believe that the leadership of both the AAP staff and AAP members are now poised to continue to support and improve the CATCH program, including support for the important work you do in your chapters. It feels both sad and OK to leave when exciting things are going to happen!
I decided not to pursue a 2nd term as District CATCH Facilitator, as I don't feel I have the time to dedicate to the job that it deserves; particularly because I hope to be involved in the AAP's Early Brain and Child Development work in the future. However, I will miss being part of such a wonderfully collaborative part of the AAP, and having the chance to connect with leaders like you throughout the District. It is easier to leave knowing that District VIII will be in even better hands with Wendy, so I am pleased to pass the baton to her. I hope that you will actively involve her with the District and Chapter leadership, and in your communication processes, as I know there are many ways CATCH could further support your work.
Thank you for all you do to support children and families through your AAP chapters. I believe that community collaborations and partnerships are vital if we want to truly improve outcomes for children. I hope that CATCH and the Chapters and District will work together to this end.
I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season, and a blessed new year. I hope our paths will cross again.
Take care,
Jill Sells, MD
District VIII CATCH Facilitator
Director, Reach Out and Read Washington State
4616 25th Ave NE, # 710
Seattle, WA 98105
206.914.1783
www.reachoutandreadwa.org
www.earlylearninghealth.org
