What is Caffeinated Caregivers?
The Caffeinated Caregivers Advocacy Network (CCAN) is a caregiver-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting families of disabled and medically complex children.
Through education, community-building, and advocacy, we connect caregivers with one another and with professionals working to improve systems of care.
Our work includes community development and education, peer support, caregiver-centered resource development, and education via webinars, workshops, and conferences for both caregivers and the professionals they interact with. In addition, we collaborate with researchers to ensure caregiver expertise informs studies, policy, and practice.
Meet the Board of Directors
Erica Stearns, President
Erica is a disabled adult, researcher, storyteller, and fervent advocate for caregivers and people with disabilities. She is the proud mom of two disabled children with a rare genetic condition, a constellation of medical complexities, and two very big personalities. Having grown up with a medically complex condition as a result of a rare disease, she has a unique and multidimensional perspective on caregiving. When she is not busy mommin’ or working to support caregivers through life’s twists and turns, she has a passion for making beauty from music, fabric, and clay. Fun fact: she’s also a gamer!
Her favorite coffee drink is the one her husband lovingly makes: freshly ground, french press, topped with frothy milk and honey. While that sounds fancy and high maintenance, she is also very happy with a cup of old-fashioned Folgers drip and FV cream.
Read her Caregiver Origin Story here.
Alyssa Nutile, Vice President
Alyssa is a content and social media strategist and consultant (and an amateur swimmer & book reader.) She’s the mom of two, including a daughter with profound medical complexities, and wife to a college professor. She also grew up with a physical disability and is dedicated to advocating for caregivers and disabled individuals alike. When she’s not running around trying to stay on top of the daily tasks of work plus raising kids and caregiving for her daughter, you can find her reading, listen to podcasts (she’s a walking cliche) and sending memes to friends.
Her preferred coffee when she’s out is an iced cold brew with foam on top (no syrup so it’s not too sweet). At home, she sticks to a pot of store-brand hazelnut brew and a little vanilla or caramel creamer.
Read her Caregiver Origin Story here.
Tovah Feehan, MS, CCC-SLP
Tovah Feehan is a pediatric speech-language pathologist, passionate about pediatric feeding and swallowing support that recognizes caregivers as the experts on their children. She was a fan of Caffeinated Caregivers for some time before she reached out to see if she could use their articles in one of her lectures. And a beautiful friendship was formed. If caregivers have been her greatest teachers, Alyssa and Erica are the master class. She was beyond honored to help launch CCAN as a founding board member.
After many years at a pediatric hospital, Tovah founded Pediatric Feeding Partners, where she provides clinical assessment, instrumental evaluation, and dynamic intervention for infants and children with feeding and swallowing challenges. Tovah guest lectures at a local university and has had opportunities to speak nationally for ASHA, Feeding Matters, and alongside Erica and Alyssa for Dysphagia Cafe, always weaving in how essential it is to elevate the caregiver voice and partner together.
You can find her on Instagram @pediatricfeedingpartners or at pediatricfeedingpartners.com.
Read her Caregiver Ally Story here.
Madhura Katre
Madhura Katre is mother and caregiver to a delightful 8-year-old girl with a big personality, who lives with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and medical complications it brings.
Parenting is both deeply fulfilling and incredibly challenging. Being a parent caregiver takes that experience and amplifies it a thousand times over. Caffeinated Caregivers offers a thoughtful and effective approach to understanding and tackling these challenges, while also providing a sense of community, solidarity, and practical support for others on a similar caregiving journey.
Madhura is honored to contribute to this cause by being a proud board member for Caffeinated Caregivers.
Aside from this, she is a professional working at a fintech company, has a deep love for books and coffee, and is a student of North Indian classical music. Date nights with her husband (when possible), hiking, and keeping up with her yoga-asana practice are her favorite ways to recharge.
You can connect with her on Instagram @madhurakatre
Read her Caregiver Origin Story here.