 Jane Brown, Vice President, Care Solutions, Inc., was named “Advocate of the Year” at the recent GAYC (Georgia Association on Young Children) Annual Conference for early care and education professionals statewide. The award was one of the organization’s Quality Service Awards, presented annually to recognize, encourage and support those who are working to improve the health, education and welfare of Georgia’s young children.According to GAYC, the award honors individuals who achieve “outstanding acclaim” in their work and recognizes “innovation, commitment and excellence.” Ms. Brown has worked with Care Solutions since 1997. She has been program manager for the state’s Bright from the Start, Department of Early Care and Learning SCHOLARSHIPS & INCENTIVES programs since 2005. The programs support the professional development of early care and education professionals.
“Every person who calls SCHOLARSHIPS & INCENTIVES for help and assistance is given Jane’s full attention and support,” says Carla S. Rogg, President of Care Solutions. “To improve her skills to assist applicants, Jane completed a weeklong training for college financial aid professionals in 2008. While this course is not normally open to those outside the field, Jane's daily work with college-bound professionals merited a space in the class; as a result, she is now able to offer more informed information and assistance to students facing sometimes-overwhelming funding decisions. She truly has the best interests of the child care professionals and the children they serve at heart.”
Jane has also been instrumental in providing leadership for the SCHOLARSHIPS & INCENTIVES programs by expanding their presence in the state, acting as a good steward of state funds, and contributing to policy and procedure decisions. Several improvements which encourage providers to pursue credentials have been instituted at her recommendation. She also originated the idea for a professional development training class on “Going Back to School” that is presented at conferences around Georgia.
In addition to helping improve the quality of child care in Georgia through professional development, she works directly with children, parents and teachers as a Trustee for Sophia Academy, a K-12 school established in 1999 and accredited in 2006 that serves children of normal to exceptional IQ who require specialized curricula to overcome visual or auditory processing problems.
“Jane Brown is the definition of “consistently demonstrating concern for children and families through initiative, commitment and tireless efforts" (award criteria). Having walked this road herself, searching for appropriate interventions and institutions, she has gained a wealth of knowledge that she shares generously and graciously with others,” says Marie S. Corrigan, Founding Director, Sophia Academy. “Jane has a unique way of assessing situations, formulating creative ideas and implementing them within the structure that is provided and the resources that are available. Jane’s sensitivity to parents and children who have challenges is supported by her deep faith and her perseverance to find solutions when others may have given up. Advocate or angel - Jane Brown is both!”
Ms. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Alabama and has previous administrative and marketing experience with Atlanta-based sales offices of several national financial institutions. For more information about the programs, click SCHOLARSHIPS & INCENTIVES.
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