Mission

Our mission is to champion the optimal health, development and well-being of all young children, to enhance learning and their life course trajectory.

The AAP has appointed Chapter Child Care Contacts (CCCCs) in each of its state chapters to provide a network of pediatric child care experts. Dr. Edisa Tokovic Padder is a designated child care liaison.
Each volunteer is a member of the Council on Early Childhood and is appointed by their AAP chapter to serve as a liaison between that chapter regarding early education and child care topics and initiatives.

Health professionals can work with their CCCC(s) to educate one another, create discussions on AAP recommended guidelines, improve health and safety practices, and advocate for quality child care. Dr.
Edisa Padder has been a technical reviewer for the 5th edition of Managing Infectious Disease. She has served on the wellness committee for the Maryland State Department of Education and has been instrumental in helping establish healthier nutrition practices to prevent childhood obesity early on.

Early education and child care professionals can also work with their
CCCC(s) to increase collaboration on child care activities. Dr. Padder has had collaborative projects with Maryland family Network as well as Maryland Child Care Association to advocate for the needs of our youngest citizens as well as train and educate the workforce touching lives of young children. She has worked with AAP’s national and Head Start collaborative programs to create resources for screening and addressing mental health isseas in early childhood.

Dr. Padder’s areas on interest include: obesity prevention, infectious disease in child care setting, developmental screening and raising awareness on effects of toxic stress on brain development. She can be contacted at drepadder@gmail.com.