Andee Press-Dawson

Andee Press-Dawson’s career has pivoted on creating exemplary services and programs for youth. Ms Press-Dawson completed her B.A. in Sociology and Government at The University of Arizona. Afterwards, Ms. Press-Dawson became an Americorps VISTA and lived in a low-income community in Springfield, Massachusetts. Immediately she began organizing supportive and enrichment activities for youth and empowering their families to create social change.

After 16 months of service Ms. Press-Dawson enrolled at San Diego State College where she earned her Master in Social Work degree with an emphasis on administration. Shortly after graduation, Ms Press-Dawson wrote a successful grant and established a masters program in Community Education in the Education Department at California State University, Sacramento. Graduates of that program have gone on to make a difference in the political and educational landscape throughout California. Ever the children’s advocate, Ms. Press-Dawson was able to establish an enrichment program for children on the CSUS campus aptly named Kids on Kampus.

Ms. Press-Dawson quickly established political ties, becoming the campaign director of several successful state-wide educational bond measures. Concurrently, Ms. Press-Dawson’s child enrichment program developed into an after-school program that ultimately operated in over 35 schools throughout Northern California. Additionally, she worked on policy and legislation for the original latchkey childcare program.

Ever mindful of her Massachusetts experience, Ms. Press-Dawson opened a futuristic children’s museum in Sacramento. Modeled after the Boston Children’s Museum, the Visionarium provided hands-on experiences for toddlers through 6th grade students and their families and teachers.

Ms. Press-Dawson has always anticipated societal needs for children and their families.  She founded and directed a hands-on safety program, Safety Pals, which provided direct training for over 300,000 elementary school students as well as creating over 50 public service announcements on Sacramento television stations, with children delivering powerful messages that empowered latchkey kids.  Ultimately the Safety Pals message was incorporated into textbooks used by millions of students in 16 states.

For the past 5 ½ years Ms. Press-Dawson has directed Sacramento START, the after-school program for the City of Sacramento. Under her stewardship the program has grown to 63 school sites that serve more than 7000 children per day. Through her involvement in the Regional Learning Centers collaboration, Ms. Press-Dawson was able to connect with statewide leadership in the after-school field.

Ms. Press-Dawson lives in Sacramento with her husband Terry, her 18 year old son David and 14 year old daughter Fawn. She is extremely excited about taking on this leadership role with the California Afterschool Network and can’t wait to begin working with this growing coalition of after-school representatives and leaders.