Our Mission
The Children’s Advocacy Alliance is an independent voice for Nevada children, advancing systemic change in the areas of early childhood education, children’s health, and child welfare. We achieve public policy wins through
collaboration and collective impact within the community to ensure every child in Nevada thrives.
The Children’s Advocacy Alliance builds consensus around priorities and leverages our collective strength toward real changes in policy and practice to ensure that every child has a chance to thrive.
Our Priorities:
We advocate in the areas of Health, Child Welfare and Equitable Access, School Readiness and Early Childhood Systems, and Economic Well-Being.
How We Do It:
We accomplish our goals by:
- Educating our community on issues impacting children.
- Strategic communications.
- Government and policy advocacy.
- Civic engagement,
- Disseminating up-to-date and evidence-based research.
- Centering impacted communities through story sharing and coalition building.
CAA has determined the path to centering equity and pursuing antiracist policies begins with an internal examination of our own CAA policies and procedures. With every project and initiative, CAA staff considers the who and the how – Who are the impacted populations and how do we incorporate their voice in our pursuit of equity and access? CAA engages with traditional and non-traditional partners and nonprofits that provide direct services to affected youth and their families with the goal of building a diverse coalition base to advocate for administrative and legislative reforms. CAA champions policy priorities that consider the nuances of the geography of our state and special populations (e.g. migrant families, indigenous communities, children who are differently abled).
Our Team
Elisa Cafferata
Executive Director
Elisa Cafferata is a fourth-generation Nevadan and an unrepentant #nightowl. She is a champion of change and an experienced advocate. During the pandemic, she served as the Director of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR), supporting hundreds of thousands of Nevadans with unemployment and workforce development services. She also served as a Deputy Administrator of the state’s Welfare Division where she directed Child Support Enforcement, Child Care, Fraud Prevention, and Quality Control.
She has decades of experience in government relations and policy work for women and children including public health, women’s equity, and earned paid sick leave. She was recognized as the Public Health Advocate of the Year by the Nevada Public Health Association in 2017 and the Voice of Action by Advocates Mar Monte in 2015. Elisa has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Mills College in Oakland, California and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Elisa thinks social networking is not quite as good as catching up over coffee, but close.
Executive Director
Elisa Cafferata is a fourth-generation Nevadan and an unrepentant #nightowl. She is a champion of change and an experienced advocate. During the pandemic, she served as the Director of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR), supporting hundreds of thousands of Nevadans with unemployment and workforce development services. She also served as a Deputy Administrator of the state’s Welfare Division where she directed Child Support Enforcement, Child Care, Fraud Prevention, and Quality Control.
She has decades of experience in government relations and policy work for women and children including public health, women’s equity, and earned paid sick leave. She was recognized as the Public Health Advocate of the Year by the Nevada Public Health Association in 2017 and the Voice of Action by Advocates Mar Monte in 2015. Elisa has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Mills College in Oakland, California and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Elisa thinks social networking is not quite as good as catching up over coffee, but close.
Dr. Tara C. Raines
Deputy Director, Kids Count Initiatives Director
Dr. Tara C. Raines is a licensed psychologist with a history of research promoting equity and access in the areas of education and mental health. She is a former Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training for the School Psychology program at the University of Denver. She has spent the last decade implementing and supporting a number of grants to improve outcomes for youth at highest risk for mental health disorders. She has partnered with large school districts including Clark County School District, the fifth largest district in the country, to do this work. Tara has been active in the Las Vegas My Brother's Keeper Alliance and sits on the Board of Directors for Democracy Preparatory Academy Nevada and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Dr. Raines additionally leads cultural immersion experiences in Ecuador to promote cultural humility and Spanish language acquisition in mental health professionals. Dr. Raines has been honored with a presidential citation from APA Division 16 for her work in anti-racism and a presidential award from the National Association of School Psychologists for her work leading the policing in schools taskforce. She believes in the value of using data to identify and implement supports for Nevada's most vulnerable youth.
Deputy Director, Kids Count Initiatives Director
Dr. Tara C. Raines is a licensed psychologist with a history of research promoting equity and access in the areas of education and mental health. She is a former Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training for the School Psychology program at the University of Denver. She has spent the last decade implementing and supporting a number of grants to improve outcomes for youth at highest risk for mental health disorders. She has partnered with large school districts including Clark County School District, the fifth largest district in the country, to do this work. Tara has been active in the Las Vegas My Brother's Keeper Alliance and sits on the Board of Directors for Democracy Preparatory Academy Nevada and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Dr. Raines additionally leads cultural immersion experiences in Ecuador to promote cultural humility and Spanish language acquisition in mental health professionals. Dr. Raines has been honored with a presidential citation from APA Division 16 for her work in anti-racism and a presidential award from the National Association of School Psychologists for her work leading the policing in schools taskforce. She believes in the value of using data to identify and implement supports for Nevada's most vulnerable youth.
Annette Dawson Owens
Community Engagement Manager
Annette Dawson Owens, M.A. is a lifelong education advocate who believes in equity and access to an excellent education for all students. She has worked in both district and charter schools and has studied high performing schools and leaders across the country. She has seen first hand, quality outcomes that are possible with effective school design. Annette attended K-12 in the Clark County School District and went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Zoology, a Masters in Education from UNLV, and a Masters in Administration from Sierra Nevada College.
Annette has been appointed by the last 3 mayors to serve on Henderson's Community Education Advisory Board since its inception and serves on two Charter School Boards. She completed Georgetown's Executive Leadership through the Public Education Foundation, Henderson Leadership and is grateful to be a Jameson Fellow and serve on Compassionate Las Vegas' Steering Committee. Annette recently was Nevada's first White-Riley-Peterson Fellow studying out of school time with peers across the country. In her free time she enjoys exploring the great outdoors. Annette looks forward to working together with the community and improving outcomes for all students and families in the great state of Nevada.
Community Engagement Manager
Annette Dawson Owens, M.A. is a lifelong education advocate who believes in equity and access to an excellent education for all students. She has worked in both district and charter schools and has studied high performing schools and leaders across the country. She has seen first hand, quality outcomes that are possible with effective school design. Annette attended K-12 in the Clark County School District and went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Zoology, a Masters in Education from UNLV, and a Masters in Administration from Sierra Nevada College.
Annette has been appointed by the last 3 mayors to serve on Henderson's Community Education Advisory Board since its inception and serves on two Charter School Boards. She completed Georgetown's Executive Leadership through the Public Education Foundation, Henderson Leadership and is grateful to be a Jameson Fellow and serve on Compassionate Las Vegas' Steering Committee. Annette recently was Nevada's first White-Riley-Peterson Fellow studying out of school time with peers across the country. In her free time she enjoys exploring the great outdoors. Annette looks forward to working together with the community and improving outcomes for all students and families in the great state of Nevada.
Dr. Jamelle Nance
Early Childhood Policy Director
Dr. Jamelle Nance enthusiastically joins the Children’s Advocacy Alliance Nevada team to serve as the Director of Strong Start Initiatives. Jamelle brings vast experiences in the field of Human Services, Education, and Organizational Leadership. Her personal and professional experiences are centered around public service to empower, educate, and provide opportunities for families to thrive not just in her community, but across the nation. She has led similar initiatives in her home state of Maryland to provide equitable educational opportunities to those who need it most. Jamelle earned a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science with a concentration in Child Advocacy Studies and a master’s degree in Administration of Human Services both from Wilmington University in New Castle, Delaware. Jamelle is passionate about providing access to essential resources and opportunities that strengthen families and level the playing field. She wholeheartedly believes that a strong start provides children and families with a solid foundation to build a strong and promising future.
Early Childhood Policy Director
Dr. Jamelle Nance enthusiastically joins the Children’s Advocacy Alliance Nevada team to serve as the Director of Strong Start Initiatives. Jamelle brings vast experiences in the field of Human Services, Education, and Organizational Leadership. Her personal and professional experiences are centered around public service to empower, educate, and provide opportunities for families to thrive not just in her community, but across the nation. She has led similar initiatives in her home state of Maryland to provide equitable educational opportunities to those who need it most. Jamelle earned a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science with a concentration in Child Advocacy Studies and a master’s degree in Administration of Human Services both from Wilmington University in New Castle, Delaware. Jamelle is passionate about providing access to essential resources and opportunities that strengthen families and level the playing field. She wholeheartedly believes that a strong start provides children and families with a solid foundation to build a strong and promising future.
Carissa Pearce, MPH
Health Policy Manager
Carissa Pearce (she/her) is a dedicated advocate for children and family well-being, with a strong background in policy advocacy. Her journey began as an intern with CAA in 2022, and soon after she joined as a team member in Health Policy after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health. Since joining CAA she has built upon and expanded state and national partnerships leading initiatives to support medical coverage for all children and families in Nevada Currently pursuing her MPH in Epidemiology at the University of Nevada, Reno, Carissa is driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to quality care and resources, especially those in underserved populations in Nevada. Through her academic pursuits, Carissa continues to deepen her understanding of health disparities and evidence-based approaches, while building the skills and knowledge to drive impactful policy changes in healthcare, and children and family services. Her commitment to creating equitable systems led her to engage in legislative advocacy, where she played a pivotal role in supporting bills that would benefit vulnerable communities. Balancing her professional pursuits, Carissa enjoys spending time with her dog, close friends, and family. Her drive, expertise, and compassionate approach make her a valued advocate for creating equitable systems to advance health and family services in Nevada.
Health Policy Manager
Carissa Pearce (she/her) is a dedicated advocate for children and family well-being, with a strong background in policy advocacy. Her journey began as an intern with CAA in 2022, and soon after she joined as a team member in Health Policy after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health. Since joining CAA she has built upon and expanded state and national partnerships leading initiatives to support medical coverage for all children and families in Nevada Currently pursuing her MPH in Epidemiology at the University of Nevada, Reno, Carissa is driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to quality care and resources, especially those in underserved populations in Nevada. Through her academic pursuits, Carissa continues to deepen her understanding of health disparities and evidence-based approaches, while building the skills and knowledge to drive impactful policy changes in healthcare, and children and family services. Her commitment to creating equitable systems led her to engage in legislative advocacy, where she played a pivotal role in supporting bills that would benefit vulnerable communities. Balancing her professional pursuits, Carissa enjoys spending time with her dog, close friends, and family. Her drive, expertise, and compassionate approach make her a valued advocate for creating equitable systems to advance health and family services in Nevada.
CAA Board of Trustees
Lynn Purdue, Chair
Patricia Farley, Vice Chair
Gard Jameson, Treasurer
Fernando Serrano
Andrew Eisen
Dawn Gibbons
Senta Lanzino
Rachel Silversteain
Carlia Waite
Andre Wadé
Elaine Wenger-Roesener
Hilary Westrom
