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AYS Founder Receives Awards in April

AYS, Inc.'s CEO Ellen Clippinger was honored twice this April. Clippinger, who founded the not-for-profit child services agency 25 years ago, received one of ten Cultural Vision Awards presented by WISH-TV Channel 8 and NUVO Newsweekly. She was also a finalist for the 3rd Annual iWoman Visionary Awards.

Both awards stemmed from the proactive move Clippinger made a quarter of a century ago, when a changing economy and family structure posed the need for a safe place for children before and after school. Clippinger, an English teacher and member of the IPS School 70 Parent Board, began a program at IPS School 70 that evolved into more than 50 programs in four Central Indiana counties. Those programs now include before- and after-school, early childhood, kindergarten wrap-around, and summer programs.

The programs not only provide a safe place for children during out of school time, but also supplement the school day with enrichment opportunities, socialization, homework time, and more. All AYS programs adhere to national standards from the National AfterSchool Association and the National Association for Elementary School Principals, as well as aligning with Indiana Academic Standards. During the school year, over 2,000 children are enrolled in 52 programs in Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, and Montgomery Counties.

In 1995, AYS opened the Professional Development Center. The PDC provides training for AYS staff, to ensure the highest quality programs for the families it serves. In an effort to branch out into the community, the PDC also provides training for youth workers in other agencies. Clients include the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Urban Education project, Pike Township MSD Loving Care and Warren Township MSD Child Care.

Clippinger's passion for children extends beyond AYS. She has served as President of National School Age Care Alliance and Marion County Step Ahead. She is the founding President of Indiana School-Age Consortium and a founder and co-chair of Voices for Children. She sits on several state and national boards, including the legislatively appointed Board for the Coordination of Child Care Regulation. She testified for Step Ahead legislation, served on Indiana's Special Needs Task Force, and has been a national presenter and keynote speaker. Ellen is a training associate for the National Institute for Out-of-School Time at Wellesley College.

Ellen has been highlighted in articles in Indiana Business Journal, The Indianapolis Star, The Daily Ledger, and Child Care Information Exchange, as well as writing articles for School Age Notes, School-Age Review, and CSAC Newsletter. She has received a service award and continuing service award from PCPI, the Outstanding Kappa of the Indianapolis Area Award, and the leadership award from ISAC. President Bill Clinton recognized her along with 119 other participants in the White House Conference on Child Care in 1997.

© 2005 AYS, Inc.