Evie Hudak, candidate for State Senate in District 19, was one of three to receive the "Children's Champion Award" from the Triad Early Childhood Council at its first-ever awards breakfast in Lakewood on June 18. The recipients were selected for their work to impact policy on early childhood issues, collaborate across governmental systems, and invest significant amounts of time and/or resources to improve the quality, access, and availability of services for young children and their families in the Triad region of Jefferson, Gilpin, and Clear Creek counties.

Hudak was hailed as someone who "exemplifies what it means to be a Children's Champion," having "dedicated her entire career to improving the lives of children" in her various roles as a member of the State Board of Education, a classroom teacher, a member of the state PTA board of directors, and the first coordinator of the School Readiness Quality Improvement Program. Hudak's "hard work and dedication" to the School Readiness Program was cited for ensuring "positive outcomes not only for children in the communities served by Triad, but also for children across the state." During her tenure with the program, the percentage of participating childcare sites rated as high-quality increased from 37% to 76%.

Hudak has become well known as the "go-to expert on early childhood issues" on the State Board of Education, participating in the Early Childhood State Systems Team, the School Readiness Indicators Project, and the Early Childhood Councils Leadership Alliance. She has also impacted policy for early childhood by serving on the Coordinated School Health Advisory Team for Jeffco Schools and as the Legislative Chair for Jeffco PTA.

Hudak has been a resident of Jefferson County for the last 30 years. On the State Board of Education, she represents the 2 nd Congressional District, which includes Gilpin, Clear Creek, and part of Jefferson County. Senate District 19 covers portions of Arvada and Westminster in Jefferson County.

An essential component of Hudak's goal for strengthening the economy - part of her platform for State Senate - is to ensure that children receive quality care prenatal to preschool, so they start school ready to learn.

For further information about Evie Hudak, see her website at www.eviehudak.com.