It has been a little over two weeks since I began my tenure as your Executive Director and I cannot remember the last time I have had this much fun! Each day I am inspired by the level of commitment demonstrated by our members. As a member of the DEC family for two decades, I thought I understood but I had no idea of the power that exists within this organization! I have heard from many of you and every connection conveys the message that DEC is your home and you are proud to be a member of the DEC family! I know I have only witnessed a fraction of what is happening among the membership. I look forward to being surprised each day with some new act of service!

     First, I want to discuss DEC’s move to Washington, DC. As we reported, DEC will formally move its address to DC in the fall of 2016. At that time we will share space with CEC. DEC's Associate Director, Ben Rogers has already made the move to DC and is currently in temporary office space. DEC's Executive Director, Peggy Kemp, will maintain an office in Kansas and will work from DC as needed. We are excited to have Ben "on the ground" in DC.  We believe this will support our goals of partnership and advocacy.

     Please watch your email and the DEC website in the coming weeks for announcements about the 2016 DEC Conference in Louisville. The second early bird deadline is September 1st and the excitement for the conference is building each day. Be sure to make plans to join us. This is the one place where everyone you talk to “gets it”.  I challenge you to invite an early childhood partner that you might not traditionally think of when you think DEC.

     We want to thank you for your response to the call for comments on the DEC position statement on Child Maltreatment. To date we have over 255 responses! This is the type of response we need to be able to truly speak as one voice!