Gerald Cutts, CEO of First Children's Finance, is happy to have the Coastsider aboard.
"We're very familiar with Jan's work," Cutts said. "She has an incredible reputation across the country in the economics and business of childcare."
 Jan Stokley stands in the front yard of her El Granada home Monday morning, ready to drive to work in San Mateo. Soon, she'll no longer be making the commute. She'll be working from the Coastside for First Children's Finance in Minneapolis. |
"Program building and fund raising are what I really love to do," Stokley said. "It's going to be fun for me."
Stokley has worked for the council, known locally as "the 4Cs," since May of 2001. The state-funded, countywide nonprofit specializes in helping more than 12,000 families locate childcare services annually, and provides subsidized childcare for more than 1,000 children. It also works to expand childcare services in San Mateo County for children with special needs.
While heading 4Cs, Stokley is most proud of her success with expanding the nonprofit's programs and services. One such program, SAMCARES, which issues stipends to childcare providers who wish to continue their education, was started under Stokley's watch.
Stokley also increased the nonprofit's collaboration with other agencies, both on the Coastside and nationally. Coastside Children's Programs participated twice in 4Cs' efforts, and Stokley helped jumpstart 4Cs' collaboration with the national service program AmeriCorps. With the Minnesota organization, Stokley will almost certainly be taking on a more visible role in childcare issues across the country.
"We're very interested in having her become part of a team that will help a variety of states to bring new resources to the childcare field," Cutts said.
Stokley said she looks forward to whatever challenges her new position brings.
"Whenever you try to launch something new, there's always the unexpected," Stokley said.
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