Children’s Craniofacial Association is a national, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Nationally and internationally, CCA addresses the medical, financial, psychosocial, emotional, and educational concerns relating to craniofacial conditions.
Ways to GiveContact LeadershipCCA exists to support and inspire individuals and families affected by facial differences. We provide education, emotional support, and access to resources from diagnosis through adulthood.
We envision a world where every person is accepted for who they are, not how they look. We are creating a world where every person with a craniofacial difference has the support, resources, and community they need to thrive - and where society embraces the full spectrum of human appearance.
We lead with empathy, honor every family's journey, and believe that peer connection is one of the most powerful forces in human healing. We are family-led and family-first.
CCA Kids was founded in 1989, when 10 families came together to advocate in Washington, DC, for insurance coverage for facial reconstruction, which was being called "plastic surgery." Frustrated that their children could not see, hear, eat, or breathe normally and yet being told these were cosmetic procedures, their passion caught the attention of the iconic singer, Cher, who had recently played a starring role in the movie Mask.
Touched by the story of Rocky Dennis, Cher saw the need for support for these craniofacial families, and she funded the first Annual Retreat dedicated specifically to connecting them with each other and with the medical expertise they needed.
What began as an advocacy day quickly transformed into a newsletter and a phone tree for emotional support. This family-focused initiative grew into a national nonprofit serving families across all 50 states. Today, CCA's programs touch thousands of families each year - supported by donors, volunteers, and an expanding network of craniofacial medical centers that trust CCA as a partner in family care.
Numbers updated annually. Source: CCA 2025 Annual Report.
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Erica has served CCA for 11 years as Executive Director, and for another 6 years as a former Board member and volunteer. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Communications from the University of Alabama and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
She brings her lived experience of growing up with an undiagnosed facial difference and from the fields of higher education and business development to CCA to help continue the strong, 35+ year legacy of supporting and inspiring individuals and families affected by facial differences. Erica seeks to find new ways to connect our community and help families become powerful self-advocates.
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Rasheera Dopson is a digital storyteller, advocate, and nationally recognized speaker dedicated to amplifying the voices of individuals with disabilities. As Program Director at the Children’s Craniofacial Association, she brings over a decade of connection to the craniofacial community and expertise in health equity, community engagement, and intersectional advocacy.
Currently a PhD candidate in Interdisciplinary Health at Northern Arizona University, Rasheera is also a Policy Fellow at the Sonoran Center for Excellence. She is the author of Beauty with a Twist (2020) and the children’s book Different Like Me (2023), and hosts the Womanhood & Disability podcast. In 2022, she received the David Roach Advocacy Award from CCA.
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Khadija has served CCA for 9 years and has worked in the Nonprofit field for over 10 years. She has grown from a dedicated intern to a pivotal member of the leadership team. She has spearheaded several new initiatives and created programs and administrative efficiencies from scratch. Her varied background in healthcare, education, marketing, and non-profit work provided the perfect foundation to positively grow CCA’s educational programs, outreach initiatives, volunteer/intern management and maintaining and deepening relationships with educators and communities across the nation.
Khadija now takes full ownership of CCA’s brand presence—from graphic design, brand management, video production and content creation, social media management, and most of the educational literature catalog.
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Christine has worked in the Nonprofit field for over 11 years. Prior to joining CCA, she ran the Meyerson Family Foundations and previously worked in Corporate Communications for The Neiman Marcus Group. Christine is continually active in community service and volunteering. She has held Board of Director roles with Genesis Women’s Shelter’s Young Leaders; Committee Chair roles with The Junior League of Dallas; The Dream Big Fort Worth Scholarship Program Founding Member; various volunteer roles with her daughter’s school and at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Christine grew up in Arizona and received her Bachelor of Science from Texas Christian University. She lives in Dallas, TX and she loves to be with her family, travel and cheer on her Horned Frogs!
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Kara Jackman is Adult Programs Coordinator with Children’s Craniofacial Association (CCA Kids). She runs support circles for adults and caregivers for CCA Kids, and coordinates with other nonprofits, like ConnectMed International and Born A Hero to support their work with adolescents, young adults, and caregivers. Kara was born with a bilateral, complete cleft lip and palate. Yearning to give back to those who gave her so much, she dedicates her life to supporting those in the craniofacial community.
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Aaliyah is a facial difference + disability advocate. She is a recent graduate from Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ, with a bachelors in biology aspiring to work in the medical field. Aaliyah’s mission in life is to forever share her story in different aspects to inspire young kids & teens out there who physically look different that we are more than just our differences! She recently ran for Miss NJ USA beauty pageant by making history by being the first woman ever with a facial difference to perform. Aaliyah excitedly has officially started her own business: “Born to Stand Out” that focuses on self love and acceptance. You can find her on all social media platforms celebrating her uniqueness, especially on YouTube interviewing others within the facial difference community for them to share their story as well as their accomplishments & goals! She currently serves CCA in the capacity of Community Engagement Specialist, producing video content and podcast-style interviews in the CCA Outreach Series. See her inspirational and exciting interviews here.
CCA is governed by a board of directors from community and corporate leaders across the United States.
The board bears legal responsibility for CCA and ensures the organization is true to its mission.
Englewood, NJ
Rockville, MD
Seattle, WA
Horseheads, NY
Mundelein, IL
Reading, PA
Coto de Caza, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
Santa Fe, NM
Houston, TX
Denver, CO
Frisco, TX
Grand Rapids, MI
Program Director, (2003 - Retired 2025)
Development Director, (2002 - Retired 2017)
Executive Director Emeritus, (1991 - Retired 2015)
CCA partners with leading craniofacial programs and hospitals who refer families to our services and collaborate on research and education.
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CCA Kids publishes an annual report detailing our programs, financials, and impact. We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to accountability and openness.
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