The 2026 CARE Award
At Procare Solutions, we love celebrating the incredible work of your child care teams! That’s why we’re thrilled to announce The CARE Award, an initiative to honor exceptional Procare and ChildPlus customers who embody these CARE values:
How It Works
- Throughout the year, you can nominate any outstanding individual from your center as a CARE Award nominee. This person could be a teacher, admin, director or any staff member who embodies one or more of the CARE values.
- Toward the end of the year, we will review all nominees and choose three to five CARE Award finalists who will receive a prize worth $100. We’ll also highlight their outstanding efforts and promote their center via email and on our social media pages.
- At the end of the year, we will choose a CARE Award winner whom we’ll celebrate via email, social media and a dedicated blog post. They’ll receive a gift worth $1,000!
Why Nominate?
- Celebrate your peers to foster team bonding, recognition, and loyalty and ultimately help reduce turnover.
- Gain exposure for your center
- Get the chance to win up to $1,000 worth of goodies to support your success in child care!
Meet our 2026 CARE Award Finalists
Stacey Tomkowiak – Spooner Head Start
As a Family Advocate, Stacey goes well beyond the boundaries of her role to make sure children and families get what they need to thrive. She regularly partners with classroom staff to build a fuller picture of each family’s unique circumstances, and she’s helped families secure housing, connect with community resources, and work through barriers standing in the way of stability. Her deep knowledge of available services, paired with a genuinely compassionate approach, gives families the confidence to pursue their own goals. Colleagues describe her as someone who meets even the most complex, demanding situations with professionalism, positivity, and grace — a trusted go-to for families, children, and coworkers alike.
Jimmy Ngo — Wu Yee Children’s Services
Across nominations from multiple colleagues, one theme comes through again and again: Jimmy leads by quietly showing up for people. He keeps ChildPlus data accurate and up to date so that every enrolled child and family gets the support they need, and he’s the person teammates turn to when a report or process feels overwhelming — patiently walking them through it rather than just fixing it himself. When tension arises on the team, he handles it with discretion, often taking a struggling colleague for a private walk to talk things through and find a solution everyone can live with. Above all, coworkers describe him as deeply empowering: someone who meets staff where they are, builds their confidence, and genuinely lifts up everyone around him.
Julia Rojas – Cooper Early Education Center
Julia Rojas identified a gap in weekend nutritional support for preschoolers and took proactive steps to address it by organizing backpack meal programs and securing grants. Her leadership fosters trust, empowers colleagues to take ownership, and inspires creative problem-solving within the team. Julia’s actions have created a culture of shared success, encouraging staff to voice unmet needs and contribute to solutions. She emphasizes the importance of educators’ roles beyond the classroom, validating every contribution toward student well-being. Her “can-do” attitude has transformed the center into a hub of courage and initiative for the benefit of children.
Mickey Howard – Bloom Learning Center LLC (dba The Owl Academy)
Mickey Howard is a passionate early childhood educator who prioritizes children’s safety, growth, and joy in her teaching. She brings a reflective and adaptive approach to her classroom, driven by her deep understanding of child development and ongoing pursuit of a master’s degree. As a Mentor Teacher, Mickey uplifts her colleagues by sharing insights, recognizing their contributions, and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration. Her leadership combines skill and empathy, inspiring her team to grow and feel confident in their work. Mickey’s dedication strengthens the learning community and creates an environment where both children and educators thrive.