ADVANCING EDUCATIONAL
EXCELLENCE

Friday, February 28, 2025

8:00 AM – Check-in & Light Breakfast

8:30 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks

• Welcome & Logistics – Samara Palko, Director of Education, CCC
• Bishop’s Welcome – Kathleen Domingo, Executive Director, CCC
• Opening Prayer – Rev. Loreto “Bong” Rojas, Pastor, Holy Spirit Parish, Sacramento, CA

9:00 AM – Keynote Address

• USCCB Guidance on ECCA
  • Mrs. Ashling Kelly Preston, Associate Director of Public Policy – Secretariat of Catholic Education, USCCB (Slides Presentation)

9:30 AM – In-depth Analysis of ECCA

• Mr. Peter Murphy, Senior Advisor, Invest in Education Coalition

10:00 AM – Break

10:15 AM – The Catholic Conference Lens

• Mr. Shawn Peterson, Catholic Education Partners (Zoom in)

10:45 AM – Lessons from Florida on School Choice

• Mrs. Lauren May, Step-Up for Children – Florida White Paper
• Fr. Jeff Putthoff, SJ (Florida) – Key Takeaways

11:30 AM –  FACTS Partnership and Best Practices 

Ms. Erin Dutter, SGO Programs 

Noon Lunch & Prayer

12:45 PM – Parents, Schools, & SGOs

Mr. Bruce Hermie, American Federation for Children

ECCA Implementation: Creating Synergy with Stakeholder Groups to Maximize Enrollment Opportunities for Families and Promote Funding

1:30 PM – Panel Discussion – Scholarships Help Students Gain Access to Quality Educational Choice

• Panelists:

• • • Mr. Doug Cooper, Executive Director & Mr. Andrew Garcia, Associate Director Of Programs  
    • Catholic Education Foundation 
    • Ms. Rachel Elginsmith, Chief Executive Officer 

• Basic Fund

• • • Mr. Ricky Austin, President

• Aim Higher Foundation 

2:30 PM – California Policy Impacts

• Mr. Lance Christensen, California Policy Center & Partners

3:15 PM – Next Steps & Closing Remarks

• Samara Palko
  • Next Steps & Contact Information
  • NCEA Webinars & Upcoming Supports
  • Acknowledgment of Sponsors (Fieldstead, FACTS, NCEA CCSS)