Meet our team

Welcome

Welcome to our team page where you can learn about our amazing Care Connections & Education team. We are here to answer questions, provide technical assistance and connect early learning professionals to resources. Need support with Oregon’s early learning system? Give us a call. Want a second set of eyes on your program set up? We can come over. Having difficulty with a behavior (parent or child)? We have great strategies. Thinking about your professional development step or starting a college class? We can help. Call our team below with any of your early learning profession and program needs. Care Connections & Education team provides regional service to Douglas, Klamath and Lake counties.

Douglas County Office

Heather Freilinger

Program Coordinator for Childcare Resource & Referral, Care Connections & Education

Education

Bachelor’s degree and Step 10 on the Oregon Registry

Experience in Early learning

I have worked in the field of early learning and care since 1988 and held several classroom roles, as well as program lead and director roles in variety of learning settings that include public, private, and faith-based programs. I have over 30 years of experience in program director roles with both volunteer and paid staff.

Why I joined the CCRR team

In 2014, I left my position at Head Start to join Child Care Resource and Referral as a Quality Improvement Specialist. In 2017, I became the Director of the CCR&R serving Douglas, Klamath, and Lake counties. In 2020, our grant moved to the Douglas ESD, and I remained in the lead role, just with a new title, Program Coordinator

I love that the CCR&R works to support amazing professionals in the professional field of early learning and care. As a former teacher, it is my greatest pleasure to support and resource teachers and care givers with incredible opportunities and resources. My role at the CCR&R allows me to bring all my leadership strengths to the table to serve providers, programs and our communities.

How I help people through CCR&R work
I oversee the regional work of the CCR&R and work closely with a highly qualified team of early learning professionals that support ECE students, providers, teachers, and programs working towards continuous quality and professional development goals.

Michelle Bassett

Early Learning Support Specialist

Education

Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and currently a Step 7 and pending for Step 9 on the Oregon Registry.  

Experience in Early learning

I joined Care Connections & Education in early 2019 as administrative support specifically working with budgeting and grants, training and conference logistics, CCR&R communications, and all things office processes related. I have 25+ years in business and adminstration management.

Why I joined the CCRR team

It was a natural fit for me as I have a passion for serving others and an expertise in office systems and business finance.
How I help people through CCR&R work
I help our early learning professionals connect to resources, access trainings or conferences, navigating systems, grant application and budgeting. It is my pleasure to serve our early learning professionals and community.

Theresa Songer-Tuckey

Infant/Toddler Quality Improvement Specialist

Education

AAS Early Childhood Education

Experience in Early learning

During the past 36 years as an early childhood professional, it has been my pleasure to experience a variety of ECE occupations. From a teacher’s aide, teacher, lead teacher, mentor, assistant director to director. Now I can share my experience and knowledge with a new generation of early childhood professionals.

Why I joined the CCRR team

I enjoy teaching, training, and supporting our community of early childcare professionals.
How I help people through CCR&R work
Working through the CCR&R as a Quality Improvement Specialist provides me with the opportunity to work with a team of highly qualified Specialist who mentor, provide trainings, and support our community of Early Childhood Professionals caring for our families and their children.

Danielle McKiddy

Preschool Promise Facilitator

Education

I have a BS degree in Human Development and Family Science with a minor in Sociology from Oregon State- Go Beavers!

Experience in Early learning

I began working with children when I was 16 at the Parent Relief Nursery.  I have been in the field at various agencies and in various roles since.

Why I joined the CCRR team

I joined the CCRR team because I have loved to watch the field professionalize over the years and wanted to help spread the word!
How I help people through CCR&R work
I support Preschool Promise Programs in Douglas County with educational coaching with the Teaching Teams as well as high quality consolation with the administrations of these programs

Cherry Camonayan

Training Coordinator for Care, Connections and Education
Early Childhood Cohort Navigator for Umpqua Community College

Education

Associates Degree in Teacher Education
Bachelors Degree in Child Development and Family Studies

Experience in Early learning

Worked with children 0 to 15 since 2011. I started working with school aged children then journeyed over to early childhood education where I found my passion in early learning and child development. I started as a teacher’s aide and held every classroom/childcare position all the way to Director.

Why I joined the CCRR team

I was looking for the next step in my educational career. While pursuing my degree, I found an enthusiastic spark for creating and providing professional development to educators and early learning providers.
How I help people through CCR&R work
I help educators and providers find and attend professional development trainings needed for their programs. I also assist Umpqua Community College students with completing their Associates Degree or Certification in Early Childhood Education debt free.

Nicole Martin

Preschool Promise Facilitator

Education

Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Step 10 on the Oregon Registry.

Experience in Early learning

I have work directly with children ages zero to five since 2011.  I have held various positions including classroom assistant, lead teacher, family service educator, and inclusion support mentor. 

Why I joined the CCRR team

I joined the CCRR team to support the hard working early learning professionals in our region who support families and chidlren in our community. 

How I help people through CCR&R work

I support hard working early learning professionals by building and developing supportive relationships with Preschool Promise staff and administration. I can provide educational coaching and professional development opportunites.

Barbara Lynch

Administrative Assistant

Education

Bachelor of Science in Business from the Carlson School of Mgmt. U of MN.

Experience in Early learning

Started as Teacher Asst, became lead teacher, moved over to ECE administrative side for Head Start and then to Care Connections & Education for the same reason.

Why I joined the CCRR team

Opportunity to work in broader field to help more ECE professionals.
How I help people through CCR&R work
With the access to various support systems, I help people by showing them steps to become licensed.

Quality Improvement Specialist
Inclusion Supports

Currently hiring for this position!

Douglas ESD is accepting applications for a Quality Improvement Specialist at our Douglas County location. This position works 194 days, 4 days per week (Mon.-Thurs.) 8 hours per day. 

Learn more / Apply

Klamath County Office

Melisa Miner

Preschool Promise Facilitator

Education

Bachelor of Science Sociology, minor Native American Studies, Montana State University
Master’s degrees:
Master of Science Criminal Justice – concentration Behavior Analysis, St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA
Master of Education Infant Toddler Mental Health, Portland State University

Experience in Early learning

I’ve worked in the field of Early learning for many years with varied positions including classroom teacher for both Pre-K and preschool and as a behavior specialist for children ages 3–6-years old. I have also worked as a Behavior Care coordinator supporting children with Autism. Currently, I am a Preschool Promise Facilitator and work with Early childhood professionals in Klamath, Lake, and Douglas counties. I provide coaching and technical assistance to Preschool Promise grant providers by supporting childcare practices in alignment with the grant manual. This includes elevating the provider’s understanding of each piece of the early learning system so administrators and teaching teams are better able to support the families and children in their care. I am also a Master trainer for the state of Oregon and offer a variety of training options throughout the year to Early learning professionals. 

Why I joined the CCRR team

 I joined the CCRR team because of the opportunity to elevate the teaching profession in Southern Oregon. What an honor to support the hard working early learning professionals in our area so they are better able to support families and children in their care. In this area we are considered a “childcare desert”, so for me, it is crucially important to help build the supply of high-quality childcare providers so more young children have the opportunity to be part of high-quality learning which can ultimately affect their lives into adulthood. 

How I help people through CCR&R work

I’m able to help people through CCR&R work by developing supportive relationships with Early learning professionals in my area. I support the development of young children in childcare settings by offering training and professional development to established providers as well as prospective providers. By offering a variety of trainings such as Spark (Oregon’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System) or the Second Step curriculum, I can help providers elevate their early childhood care and educational programing so children can enjoy success in school. I also offer information on starting a childcare business and partner with providers as they work through steps to become licensed providers. As a Preschool Promise Facilitator, I provide coaching and technical assistance to site administration and their teaching teams by visiting classrooms and supporting administration. 

Terri Lawrence

Preschool Promise Facilitator

Education

Associates of Applied Science Education Paraeducator, Career Pathway Certificate Education-Paraeducator and currently persuing bachelor’s degrees at Southern Oregon University. Currently in ORO I am a Step 8 with 9.5 pending. 

Experience in Early learning

10+ years experience in early childhood and school age care programs. I have worked in preschool classrooms started as a teching assistant and moved into a lead teacher role and a lead teacher in a PSP site. 

Why I joined the CCRR team

How I help people through CCR&R work
Contact

Amber Singh

Quality Improvement Specialist and Early Childhood
Cohort Navigator for Klamath Community College

Education

Graduating Fall 2024 with Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education Fall of 2024 and currently a Step 9 in Oregon Registry.

Experience in Early learning

I have 10 years of expierence working with children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. I started as an aide and have been a center director for the last four years.

Why I joined the CCRR team

I joined CCRR team as I want to bring my knowledge and experiences to a wider range  of early learning professionals in our community.

How I help people through CCR&R work

I help support the community by connecting early learning professionals to resources and training that can benefit them as well as their classrooms. I also work with college students to assist in getting their Early Childhood Education degree or certificate.

Contact

Jaelynn Luna 

Regional Inclusive Facilitator