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Fire Marshal
Pausing the Fire Marshal’s Unjustified Class Size Limitation
Written by: Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director, Head Start California
We did it! Our request to pause the State Fire Marshal’s new class size limit of five has been included in a budget trailer bill. The bill was passed by the legislature and we expect the Governor to sign it in September. Thank you to everyone who made this possible by signing letters, completing our survey, and making licensing aware of your challenges. -
Head Start California Updates
Introducing Gricelda Ocegueda: HSC’s New Engagement CoordinatorHead Start California is thrilled to welcome its newest team member, Gricelda Ocegueda, who joins us as the Engagement Coordinator. In this vital role, Gricelda will spearhead the support for HSC’s five signature conferences and a range of other learning opportunities. Her responsibilities will encompass program coordination, registration management, speaker coordination, and on-site support. Additionally, she will actively engage with members at cluster meetings and contribute to the association’s social media, advocacy, and outreach efforts.
Gricelda brings a wealth of experience in event support, -
Advocacy and Policy News
New Fire Code Limiting Occupancy to FiveWritten by: Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director, Head Start California
Last month, I wrote about a new issue many of our programs have encountered. In short, the State Fire Marshal changed the building code to restrict the number of children ages 0 – 36 months in a classroom or facility to five. This is impacting programs seeking to obtain or make major changes to their license.
In partnership with Child Care Resource Center, -
Head Start California Updates
Preparing for a Safe Start to the School Year
Written By: Marissa LaBreque, Hanna Institute
The beginning of the school year is a high-energy season, layered with hope, anticipation, and anxiety. This goes for children, teachers, and the whole education community. One lens that we like to put on our preparation is safety. A feeling of physical, emotional, and psychological safety is imperative for children to learn, develop, and connect- all the things that we are hoping for in a new school year. -
Head Start California Updates
HSC Board of Directors Welcomes Six New Board MembersEach spring, the Board of Directors invites nominations for Cluster Representatives on a rotating schedule to ensure a healthy balance of stability and fresh perspectives. For the 2024-25 year, the Board is pleased to welcome six new members:
- Jacquelyn Greene, San Bernardino County Preschool Services (Cluster 1)
- Ramiro “Ray” Rojas, Easter Seals of Southern California (Cluster 1)
- Latonda Williams, Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services (Cluster 2)
- Cheryl Horney,
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Head Start California Updates
Building a Calm and Safe Environment to Reduce Escalated BehaviorsWritten By: Marissa LaBreque, Hanna Institute
In the last year, we have heard from so many of you that classroom behavior is increasingly elevated and challenging. Even relationships with families and co-workers have become more intense. In early childhood education settings, creating a calm and safe environment is crucial, especially for children who have experienced trauma. We all understand that. But actually achieving it is not always easy. And the more escalated everyone around you becomes, -
Advocacy and Policy News
New State Fire Regulations Limiting EnrollmentHead Start California has recently learned of a change in the state’s building code that is significantly impacting programs. While we are still researching the issue, we wanted to bring it to your attention as soon as possible.
When opening new classrooms or making changes to existing rooms that require a fire clearance, programs which have a “Group E” occupancy classification are being limited to 5 children between the ages of 0 and 36 months by the fire marshal. -
Head Start California Updates
National Safety Month: Creating a Safe & Nurturing Environment for Head Start ChildrenWritten By: Marissa LaBreque, Hanna Institute
June is National Safety Month, an important time to emphasize the significance of creating safe and nurturing environments for children, especially those who have experienced higher-than-normal levels of trauma. For Head Start staff, who are dedicated educators and care providers, understanding and implementing strategies to foster a sense of security in children is crucial. Children who have faced trauma often find it challenging to feel calm and safe, -
Head Start California Updates
Head Start California Welcomes New Development Manager, Tiffany RossoWe’re excited to announce that Tiffany Rosso has joined Head Start California as our new Development Manager. Tiffany, now our sixth team member, will be focusing on driving development efforts in grant opportunities, strategic fundraising, donor campaigns, and expanding partnership programs.
This new role was envisioned in HSC’s 2022 strategic plan. Our Executive Director, Melanee Cottrill, emphasizes how important this timing is: “With more funding to support our advocacy and policy work, we can boost Head Start’s presence at both the state and federal levels. -
Head Start California Updates
Understanding and Supporting Staff: Navigating Expectations and Performance
Written By: Marissa LaBreque, Hanna Institute
As a director or leader in early childhood education, expectations can often be a complex dance between what we anticipate from our staff and the realities they face. It’s common to encounter situations where some team members may not meet the expected standards. It can be challenging to decipher where the responsibility lies. No matter how passionate and qualified your staff is, there will be times when performance flounders.
