3:00 pm - National Association for the Education of Homeless Children

Dear NAEHCY conference participants,
November 14, 2009
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Tim Stahlke (TX)
VICE PRESIDENT
Christina Endres (IN)
SECRETARY
Patricia McGuirk (NY)
TREASURER
Danny Jones (PA)
PAST PRESIDENT
Shelley Reed (ME)
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Melinda Dyer (WA)
CONFERENCE
Diana Bowman (NCHE)
LOCAL CONFERENCE CHAIR
Dana Scott (CO)
LeTENDRE
Patricia Popp (VA)
AT LARGE MEMBERS
Christine Hamlett (NJ)
Mary Herrington (VA)
Elizabeth Hinz (MN)
Mattie McVey Lord (AZ)
Brenda Myers (SC)
Jared Stein (NY)
PROFESSIONAL STAFF
BUSINESS MANAGER
Darlyne Erickson (MN)
COMMUNICATIONS
Jodi Mincemoyer (VA)
LEGAL COUNSEL
Patricia Julianelle (WA)
POLICY DIRECTOR
Barbara Duffield (DC)
WEBMASTER
Christina Dukes (FL)
Unprecedented times…
Like you, I’m sure, I have heard this phrase used continuously since we were together
at our 20th Annual NAEHCY conference in Crystal City, Virginia, last November. As we bid
our farewells there, we were on the verge of witnessing an historic election, and the nation
was bubbling with hope and excitement as we thrust our expectations upon the would-be
President. A new administration, the death of spirited champions and political leaders who
worked to better the lives of the children and families we serve, new funding to strengthen
our educational programs, and a NAEHCY annual conference that “sold out” for the first
time in its history are just a few of the changes on the landscape of our lives that have
made this past year an unprecedented time.
Unprecedented opportunities…
The collapse of many mortgage and banking institutions, housing foreclosures that
have added countless numbers to the men, women, and children who are experiencing
homelessness, the emergence of new Congressional leaders, and the upcoming reauthorization
of the Title I and Elementary and Secondary Education Act statutes all challenge us to
hone our skills and mold our work so that we can give children and youth the opportunity
for educational success that can help restore hope to their fragmented lives. The horizon
that stretches out before us is filled with unprecedented opportunities.
I welcome you to the 21 st annual NAEHCY conference, Soar to Reach New Peaks, and to
Denver, Colorado! By coming together, sharing information and strategies with our peers,
learning from experts, and celebrating our accomplishments we can certainly strengthen
our programs, improve our skills, and make long-lasting, positive differences in the lives
of children and youth. Whatever your level of intervention and interaction with homeless
education, NAEHCY continues to champion the education of children and youth in highly
mobile and homeless situations and give you the resources you need to do your critical
work. Your support and involvement are what make NAEHCY thrive. Thanks for being
here!
Many dedicated and energetic people have worked to make this conference a success
– the NAEHCY board and consultants, staff from the National Center for Homeless Education
(NCHE), the Colorado state McKinney-Vento program office, and many local liaisons
and school district personnel from across the state of Colorado – and you will benefit
from their incredible efforts. I am also grateful to the many presenters who will place their
wealth of knowledge and experience at your disposal. Our LeTendre award ceremony will
no doubt be another highlight of our conference this year, and I thank the LeTendre committee,
consultants, and scholarship sponsors for their ongoing, generous support of all
our scholars.
It’s time to share, learn, reflect… SOAR!
Unprecedented times…unprecedented opportunities.
Tim Stahlke, President
P.O. Box 26274
Minneapolis, MN 55426
Phone: (866) 862-2562
Fax: 763-545-9499
email: info@naehcy.org
URL: www.naehcy.org