Organizational accomplishments 2024-25

options-for-learing-team-accomplishments

Programs

Transitioned 70% of part-day/part-year sessions to full-day/full-year for families within three weeks;
Disbursed $72 million in provider payments through the Voucher Program, serving on average 6,484 children and 4,214 families each month;
Maintained full enrollment in Head Start programs (108% in Head Start and 99% in Early Head Start) for nearly six consecutive months;
Opened inclusion partnership classrooms at Vine, Cameron, and Wescove elementary schools in West Covina;
Onboarded the inaugural cohort of 16 classroom aide apprentices in collaboration with East Los Angeles College;
Opened three new toddler classrooms at Scott (Whittier), Raymond (Pasadena), and Villacorta (La Puente), in addition to the six opened last year;
Completed two infant classroom conversions at Huffman Center in West Covina;
Launched the early learning and school-age summer enrichment programs with art, yoga, and Zumba enrichment activities;
Completed the first LENA (Language Environment Analysis) project sequence with 150 children, 25 teachers, and six coaches;
Participated in the Head Start Focus Area 1 monitoring review; final report included no findings and one area of concern noted for health services tracking;
Hosted pre-service STEPS training for all classroom and supporting staff at Citrus College;
Submitted Head Start continuation application, expanding service area to match organizational footprint;
Transitioned ASES staff due to program closure in Rowland Unified School District: 14 staff joined the apprenticeship program, and five were hired directly into assistant/associate positions;
Completed major program restructuring: merged early learning and school-age programs under Mildred Balderrama and established the Program Operations Department.

child-participating-in-early-learning-program

Education Support Services

Established the Education Support Services Department encompassing the Family Engagement, Health Services, Inclusion, and Classroom Behavior (now known as Behavioral Health and Wellness) teams;
Launched mental health community of practice groups (CARES) to support teachers with licensed therapist facilitation;
Began consultations with Foothill Family, significantly increasing behavioral health consultation sessions;
Collaborated with multiple partners to provide free health services for families (Colgate Bright Smiles, AltaMed Mobile Dental Care, UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic);
Facilitated the first Family Field Trip to the LA Zoo with 150+ enrolled families attending;
Finalized positions and posted openings for the new Behavioral Health and Wellness team.

144555-9de0e7f2-4b9c-4150-856f-d289829716bc

Family field trip to the LA Zoo

Nutrition Services

Launched spring menus for the center-based Nutrition Program, with positive feedback;
Completed required annual Nutrition Program training for 550 home-based daycare providers.

Growth and Innovation

Provided Eaton Fire recovery support through collaboration with Child Care Alliance and other agencies, serving more than 1,100 families and providers with $1.569 million in relief and supplies;
Onboarded new business development manager and education partnership manager under Strategic Initiatives to support organizational growth;
Expanded the participation of the AIM (Advocates in Motion) staff committee at national advocacy events, including the NHSA Fall Institute;
Hired the first VP of admissions, Alice Lai;
Hired new VP of program innovations, Jake Thompson;
Initiated website redesign project, selecting a vendor for fall launch.

Leadership and Operations

Moved more than 300 office staff into the renovated Atrium Building, completing the relocation from Village Oaks and other program offices;
Successfully implemented a four-day workweek for all office staff;
Launched expanded quarterly management meetings, full-day training for 150+ managers and supervisors, as well as the leadership team;
Increased the employer contribution to employee 403(b) retirement savings (now 100% employer match for the first 3%, 50% of the next 2% (maximum match is 4%), and a 3% contribution from the agency regardless of the employee’s contribution);
Implemented a new data intelligence platform (Microsoft Power BI) and launched initial reports;
Implemented MySchoolBucks for family payments through the Hubbe parent portal;
Hired the first VP of business services, Leeann Yu;
Hired new VP of finance, Melissa Shu;
Staff wearing Dodgers gear at a Dodgers gameCompleted a successful General Child Care (CCTR) audit with minimal findings; state reviewers commended our program model;
Hosted Teacher Appreciation Night at Dodger Stadium, with almost 700 staff and their family and friends in attendance.

Planning the relocation