The Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC) provides free relationship-based professional development (RBPD) including support, training, modeling, and resources to child care programs throughout Minnesota.
Priscilla Weigel
Executive Director
Priscilla Weigel has worked with young children and families for 38 years. She has been a classroom teacher, staff development coordinator, mentor teacher, Early Childhood Consultant and Inclusion Coach. Priscilla started with CICC in 2012 as the Inclusion Coaching Coordinator. She currently works as the Executive Director, overseeing all staff and programming. In addition to successfully including and supporting children with special needs in community settings, Priscilla presents to teachers, parents and early care and education professionals throughout Minnesota and nationally.
Beth Menninga
Relationship Based Professional Development Manager
menninga@inclusivechildcare.org
Beth Menninga has been in the early childhood field for almost forty years. Her work has primarily focused on professional development efforts in the content areas of of infant toddler care giving, early literacy and early math. She has been with CICC since 2018, supporting the work of the Infant Toddler Specialist Network team through professional development, mentoring and developing local community partnerships. She is also supporting the full team of CICC RBPD Specialists and coordinating RBPD efforts with other CICC team members.
Amy Petersen
Finance Manager
petersen@inclusivechildcare.org
Amy Petersen has been with CICC for over 18 years. In her role as finance manager, Amy handles all billing, budgeting and record-keeping. She works alongside the executive director to establish our budgets and ensure each fiscal year runs smoothly.
Alicia Sandness
Human Resources Manager
Alicia Sandness currently serves as the Human Resources Manager with CICC. She has spent over 18 years in the human resources field. Much of Alicia’s work has been in compensation, talent acquisition, performance management, and employee relations management. She also has expertise in policy development, HRIS system implementation, legal compliance and training. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree and an MBA. Alicia started at CICC in 2020.
Becky Gillard
Coaching Intake and Data Coordinator
gillard@inclusivechildcare.org
Becky Gillard has been in the early childhood field for over 20 years, with a focus on system and program development, and continuous quality improvement. Becky works as the Coaching Intake and Data Coordinator with CICC, coordinating the implementation of coaching, managing all things data related and creating systems for sustained program development. Becky has been with CICC since 2017.
Becky Espersen
Learning and Development Specialist
espersen@inclusivechildcare.org
Becky Espersen currently assists the whole CICC team, serving as the Learning and Development Specialist. She maintains the resource library, supports the success of our coaching program and provides technical assistance to those accessing our online courses. She has worked with children most of her life- in both child care centers and as an elementary and substitute teacher. Becky enjoys helping children develop a love of learning. She has been with CICC since 2017.
Brenda Lowe
Relationship Based Professional Development Lead
Brenda Lowe has over 19 years of experience in early childhood. She has served as the director at numerous child care centers, operated her own family child care, and worked as the Director of Family Services at Head Start. She is also a trainer and teaches in higher education. Brenda started at CICC in 2016 as a coach and currently serves as one of our RBPD Leads, supporting a team of CICC coaches throughout the state.
Jacy Nylander
Relationship Based Professional Development Lead
nylander@inclusivechildcare.org
Jacy Nylander has worked in the early childhood field for over 14 years as a teacher, in management roles, and as a coach. She has also spent over 5 years in the mental health field, giving her a broad base of knowledge on community resources and types of therapies available to support children and families. Jacy has her B.S. degree in both early childhood and elementary education and is one of our RBPD Leads, supporting a team of CICC coaches throughout the state.
Nene Folorunso
Marketing and Communications Specialist
folorunso@inclusivechildcare.org
Nene Folorunso has over 10 years of experience as a communications and marketing professional. She has contributed to various organizations by helping them adopt effective communication strategies that lead to growth and visibility. She also has expertise in crisis communication and interactive media relations. She holds a master’s degree in strategic communications management. Nene started at CICC in 2020 where she serves as the Marketing and Communications Specialist.
Susan Ruff
Administrative Assistant
Susan has over 30 years of experience in administration, office management, and customer service. Over the years she has obtained extensive experience in supporting mid and senior-level managers, providing them with consistent clerical support, and maintaining effective and efficient organizational workflow. Susan is also an experienced event planner.
Cindy Croft
Founder
Cindy Croft was the Executive Director of the Center for Inclusive Child Care from its beginning in 1995 as Project EXCEPTIONAL until her retirement in 2019. She led the CICC from a training project to a stand-alone nonprofit in that time and leaves a legacy of inclusion of children with special needs in quality settings and the positive social emotional development of all children. She promoted collaboration between early educators, the families they served and CICC partners in early childhood through relationship-based professional development, training, technical assistance, and leadership. She was in the early childhood field for over 25 years.
