Southwest Human Development Head Start & Early Head Start 2023 Annual Report

2023 Annual Report

Rising up stronger— Together Advancing national models of excellence in Head Start services delivery

Evolving through more than 40 years of continuous assessment, improvement, and innovation, our exemplary programs serve as national models for excellence in early childhood and literacy education.

FOUNDED IN 1965, Head Start is the national early education program created to give every vulnerable child an opportunity to succeed in school and life. The success of Head Start and

Community and Statewide Impact

Early Head Start programs over the decades offers living proof of the Head Start promise: Every child, regardless of their circumstances at birth, can reach their full potential.

Based on a “whole child, whole family”

ADDED

$31,283,079 to the regional economy

model, Head Start takes a comprehensive, two-generation approach to supporting kids, families, and communities on their path to

EMPLOYED

five, while Early Head Start (EHS) focuses on

487

prenatal care and the healthy development of

Head Start/EHS staff

success. Health and school readiness are emphasized for children from ages three to

infants and toddlers. Located in the heart of the community, these programs engage parents as equal partners with their child’s teacher and provide a full range of family services from crisis intervention to goal-setting, job training, and education.

As Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to

SERVED

1,289 total children/pregnant women

early childhood development, Southwest Human Development proudly operates 19 Head Start/EHS centers and 7 Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships (EHS-CCP) centers in the City of Phoenix. Evolving through more than 40 years of continuous assessment, improvement, and innovation, our exemplary programs serve

Comprehensive services for

1,146 FAMILIES

as national models for excellence in early childhood and literacy education.

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A Message from our Director We proudly share the Annual Report for 2022-23, a time of full emergence, renewed strength, and integration in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Page after page, you can see shining examples of positive outcomes from the innovative strategies that were first implemented in 2021-22 to boost

Head Start/Early Head Start Quick Facts

recruitment, foster retention, and raise levels of staff support. The addition of a Parent Portal to our locally designed Construct™ software has proven to be an invaluable bridge between staff and parents, school and home.

Our groundbreaking Tablet Lending Program, which places a Wi-fi-enabled device in homes without digital access, continues to lead the way in

740 Head Start children

promoting technology literacy and equity.

The calendar year 2023 marked a milestone in the successful completion of our grant cycle that began in 2018 and confirmation of our eligibility to continue operating under another five-year grant from the Office of Head Start. For details on the goals, objectives, and action steps outlined in our 2023-2028 Grant Goals and Objectives plan, click here. Throughout this report, you will see evidence-based approaches and systems that are already in place to support the achievement of every stated goal.

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EHS children, 30 pregnant women

1,146 Head Start/EHS families

In closing, I want to express heartfelt gratitude for every individual and organization working beside us to fulfill Head Start’s national commitment to give every vulnerable child an opportunity to succeed. Our success depends upon an entire village, from the generous support of community partners and advocates to the passion and dedication of our staff and volunteers.

38 Head Start classes

Key partners like Mountain Park Health Center and Arcadia Pediatric Dental,

who inspire us with their love, courage, faith—and unstoppable determination

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to move their lives forward. Working in concert, we can realize the promise

Early Head Start classes

along with thousands of supporters in public and private sectors, join us in meeting critical needs. Special recognition goes to our Head Start parents

that all of Arizona’s children will be healthy, ready, and eager to embark on a wondrous journey of lifetime learning.

Mindy Zapata Director of Head Start and Early Head Start

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Leadership in quality teaching and learning Our preschool children learn the skills and develop the executive function they need to be successful in school and life, while Early Head Start supports healthy prenatal development and provides infants and toddlers with positive learning experiences that foster intellectual and social-emotional development.

Supporting Children’s Thinking and Learning CHILDREN IN OUR HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS have the advantage of research-based curricula and evidence-based teaching and intervention practices that support growth in every area of early development and education. Preparing these children for success in kindergarten and life requires staff with proficiency in language(s) that align with the family’s first language or the one spoken in the home. As leaders in cultural and linguistic sensitivity, 78 bilingual/ multilingual staff met the needs of 174 preschool dual-language learners and 356 children from homes where English is not the primary language.

Our exemplary programs are grounded in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and incorporate Arizona Early Learning Standards and readiness checklists developed in collaboration with receiving public schools. Using the latest researchproven, evidence-based tools, we continually assess, evaluate, and improve program outcomes: • CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System®) is an observation tool that evaluates the quality of interactions between teachers and children.

Based on 2021-22 CLASS assessments, we identified a need for expanded shared reading experiences and access to texts in the home language. The implementation of successful strategies resulted in higher CLASS scores for 2022-23 in instructional learning formats, quality feedback, regard for student perspective, and language modeling.

• ITERS-R™ (Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale) provides a comprehensive observation tool designed to assess the quality of centerbased child care programs in the major categories of space/furnishings, personal care routines, listening/talking, activities, interaction, program structure, and parents/staff.

• HOVRS3® (Home Visit Rating Scales) provides a tool that measures desired family outcomes for home-visiting staff. In response to the 2021-22 HOVRS results, the leadership team identified tools and strategies to expand staff training/ modeling and improve collaboration with parents on home-visit plans. The success of these initiatives is reflected in HOVRS outcomes for 2022-23, reporting an average score of 6 or 7 out of 7.

Spring 2023 Professional Assessments, Quality Interactions

Average Score

EHS Center-Base CLASS Average Score

Preschool Center-Based CLASS

High Level

(High) Mid Level

(High) Mid Level

HOVRS Home-Visiting

6.00

5.87

Average Score

5.60

SWHD Quality Level Average Score

5.82 out of 7

(High) Mid Level 100% SWHD families receive midto high-level support/services

For complete ITERS, CLASS, and HOVRS assessments, click here.

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LEADERSHIP in QUALITY TEACHING and LEARNING

Bridging curriculum delivery with child learning assessments CULMINATING YEARS OF TESTING and validation in collaboration with Arizona State University, Southwest Human Development Head Start entered the final phase of creating our locally designed curriculum, Constructs for Children and Families.

The new curriculum for Head Start and Early Head Start/Home Base programs supports high-quality teaching through curriculum-based measures that provide real-time assessment data. Our proprietary Constructs™ Teaching application tool features a new dashboard for tracking curriculum-based measures with early learning benchmark scores of Not Yet, Sometimes, or Most Times. This simple scoring system makes it easy for teachers to assess the need for reinforcement or individual attention and for parents to see and understand their child’s

Building and refining the curriculum is a collaborative process that brings together child development managers, content team members, and mental health program managers.

Our professional learning communities review the data on curriculum-based measures and Construct Teaching assessments for an overall picture of progress and educational needs. Team members work individually on specific areas of focus, sharing results for review and preparation for the collective monthly meeting. Feedback from teachers is crucial in identifying what is functional in the curriculum and ensuring the relevancy of constructs, themes, and sequences.

Ongoing evaluation and integration of input and results create a comprehensive, evidence-based foundation for building and refining activities, skills, and lesson plans.

progress. For complete Early Learning Benchmarks for 2022-23, click here.

Spring 2023 Preschool Early Learning Benchmarks not yet sometimes

sometimes

35%

Approaches to Learning

not yet

4%

SE Development most times

61%

Cognition

Language and Literacy

not yet

7%

38%

not yet

16% 38%

61%

32%

sometimes

most times

most times

sometimes

46%

sometimes

25%

not yet

11%

most times

51%

3%

Perceptual, Motor, & PD most times

72%

“Having everything from math and science to language and social-emotional skills in one place makes it easy for teachers to see how everything works together. We look to their input in evaluating the success of new material and expansions like the interconnection of science with specific constructs and the introduction of environmental responsibility that brings forward “green” thinking about resources and sustainability.”

– Jazell Silvas, Assistant Director EHS-HS Quality Initiatives

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What are teachers saying?

“We love the new curriculum that has all the activities in a single book! The lesson plans are self-explanatory, include all the materials we need, and give us so much freedom to individualize based on classroom needs. We can choose the activities we want to do and the best time frame for them in our busy day.”

LEADERSHIP in QUALITY TEACHING and LEARNING

Connecting home to school and school to home OUR CONSTRUCT™ PARENT PORTAL SUITE of services and information continues to be highly successful in strengthening connections between parents, teachers, and family support professionals.

One of the most valuable features is the Home & School Connection e-newsletter, filled with relevant content on at-home learning activities, health tips, and community resources. The focus for 202223 was a closer alignment of curriculum with suggestions for child/parent activities and more targeted reinforcement of classroom learning at home. We also asked parent representatives on the Policy Council to promote an activity or helpful resource from the newsletter when they returned to share meeting updates at their sites. Family

Support Specialists supported the process by reinforcing the relay of information and encouraging engagement with the newsletter and the parent portal. Several popular additions to the Parent Portal in 2022-23 were highly successful in raising the level of engagement: • Classroom menus – Parents can better plan their own meals and use the menu as a conversation topic with their children.

• Recruiting flyers/contacts - Information on Head Start employment is now part of the moving slide show of announcements.

• Children’s artwork – The chance to see kids’ original art generates excitement in children and parents alike.

“Asking parents on the Policy Council to help us promote a piece of valuable content from the newsletter has been a real success. Few things are more powerful than the natural enthusiasm of one parent talking to another about something they find truly exciting or helpful.”

– Nadia McKernan, Manager Data and Grant Systems

“Con la ayuda de mi FSS he entrado al portal de padres para conectarme entre el hogar y la escuela y ahí encontré muchas actividades que me ayudaron para hacer actividades con Luna. Por ejemplo, “Igual y diferente,” agrupando los bloques de colores. “Yoga”, “Yo Espío” y muchas más. También encontré muchos recursos como “Renueve su AHCCCS” “El ahogamiento es silencioso.” El portal de padres es una herramienta de mucha ayuda.”

“I am very grateful for the parent portal as a family engagement strategy for having conversations with parents about incorporating the activities of the home-school connection into daily routines.

We review activities and I help parents understand how they contribute to the developmental skills of their children. I share resources that meet the needs of the family and show them where I obtained the resources.”

– Elizabeth Yescas, Early Head Start Parent

– Anahi Stephenson Early Head Start Family Support Specialist

“The parent portal is not complicated like other apps. It is easy to navigate and I can access the content – Gabriela Barragan, Early Head Start Parent from my phone quickly and easily.”

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Leadership in family support and services Southwest Human Development Head Start has earned a national reputation for comprehensive twogeneration support with well-documented success in breaking the poverty cycle. Taking evidence-based practices to scale, our high-quality programs deliver life-changing support, resources, and opportunities to those struggling with poverty.

Transforming lives and moving families forward BEYOND ADDRESSING CRITICAL NEEDS with

nurturing, stable home environments. Our

counseling, mental health services, and crisis

programs also encourage personal growth and

intervention, we provide parents with individualized

confidence through leadership opportunities

support in furthering their education and finding

including positions on the Policy Council and the

jobs. Southwest Human Development is a key

Board of Directors.

partner in supporting state and national priorities from workforce development for the under/ unemployed to extended-hour quality child care. The entire community thrives economically when parents are free to navigate work and class schedules knowing their children are safe and experiencing quality care.

Whether families enroll their children in centerbased classrooms or the home base program, parents are engaged as equal partners in their child’s education and actively participate in program planning. They learn positive parenting

Effective, Comprehensive Family Services • 1,146 Head Start/Early Head Start families served • 924 families with at least one parent employed/in training or school • 1,080 employed/in training or school by end of enrollment • 100% of 191 volunteers were current/ former Head Start parents

skills and receive support for creating healthy,

“Our Home Base program plays an important role in helping parents learn about the power of early care and education, including reading, singing, and playing with their children as part of their everyday routine. We work closely with each family in addressing specific concerns with guidance on caregiving practices, techniques, and modeling behaviors.”

- Elizabeth Christensen, Quality Teaching and Learning Program Manager

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What do parents say?

“Early Head Start has helped me to be a more effective parent and teacher for my child, to set and work toward my financial goals, and provides important resources in times of crisis. My home visitor follows a routine that Natalia loves.

She has helped me learn about child development and the importance of education.”

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“Whether I am coaching my team, data intake assistants, or Family Support Specialists, the imperative is to approach support for unhoused children and families with the utmost discretion, sensitivity, cultural humility, and respect for confidentiality.”

Julio Chavez Reyes Community Development Manager

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L E A D E R S H I P i n F A M I LY S U P P O R T a n d S E R V I C E S

Improving connections to foster children and unhoused families

on available rentals in our area, our comprehensive

HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START SERVICES

teams are also developing navigators for families

can make a crucial difference in the lives of

who qualify for the Housing Choice Voucher

foster children and those in families experiencing

Program Section 8, a federal program that allows

homelessness. At the same time, lack of contact

families to choose any housing that meets program

information and issues of shame and stigma can

requirements.

database of community resources now includes detailed information for every option. Research

make it difficult to identify and connect to these populations. We took steps in 2022-23 to close

Efforts to reach foster children are grounded in

those gaps with stronger ties to area community

the registry provided by the Arizona State Head

partners and organizations that provide shelter and

Start Association that connects foster children

transitional housing. These intentional relationships

and families under the state Department of Child

create a two-way information exchange about

Safety with Head Start programs in each area. To

Head Start’s life-changing services and the family’s

reach children who have yet to be placed with

specific needs. For those who decide to enroll,

a foster family, we began discussions with Child

this deeper understanding gives Family Support

Crisis Arizona on the viability of a partnership for

Specialists an immediate advantage in building

full-day child care. Community outreach included

trust and family stability. To facilitate the enrollment

our presence at the 2023 Annual Foster Festival

of unhoused families in Head Start, our intake form

in Encanto Park, a large-scale event that provided

now includes a simple bullet-point section for

opportunities to meet and network with thousands

“living arrangements.” Those taking applications

of foster children, parents, and families.

receive coaching on the extreme sensitivity of traumatic events and the importance of avoiding further questions.

• 31 foster children served

Pandemic disruptions in economic stability and the

• 85 unhoused children served

dramatic increase in rent that followed have caused

• 51 unhoused families served

a crisis of family displacement. To provide Family Support Specialists with trusted, timely information

• 17 families found housing

Revised structure for Family Information Form

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Leadership in technology-enabled efficiency Southwest Human Development Head Start is widely recognized for technological advancements that support program excellence. Construct™ Coaching was the first in an expanding suite of locally designed software tools, providing an adaptive professional development model that supports high-quality teacher and caregiver practices and strengthens outcomes.

Bringing Construct Coaching to a national stage THE PROVEN SUCCESS OF OUR PROPRIETARY

The unprecedented challenges facing families and

Construct software programs and innovative

providers of family services during the COVID-19

strategies has long captured national attention

crisis provided the ultimate proving ground for

and resulted in research collaborations with

Construct Coaching. Even in the most trying of

national partners. Over the past several years,

times, Brazelton research data confirmed the

our successful results have been studied and

effectiveness of our application tool in creating

correlated in partnership with researchers at

a significantly better program climate and

Harvard’s Brazelton Touchpoints Center, home

maintaining strong family connections.

to the National Center for Parent, Family and Community Engagement. Teachers and family

Although the Brazelton project is concluding,

support professionals using Construct Coaching

Southwest Human Development Head Start is

have the advantage of proven practices that can

continuing our partnership with Harvard University

be implemented with coaches who share concerns

in the development of a manual for Construct

and caseload strategies, communicate reflectively,

Coaching. This comprehensive document will

and provide professional support and guidance.

incorporate insights and lessons gained through

Building upon a sequence of core strategies, the

years of pilot programs and breakthrough project

coaching cycle includes modeling, observation,

research, providing an evidence-based guide of

feedback, reflection, and planning.

proven practices that can benefit the work of Head Start programs across the nation.

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“We are so excited to see our coaching process go national in such a big way! Head Start programs across the country are hearing about the Construct Coaching approach and expressing a desire to acquire and implement the software. The partnership with Harvard is helping us produce a manual that will be functional for any program and provide the highest possible level of support and guidance.”

– Kamaie Clark, Program Manager School Readiness

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Leadership in health, safety and wellness Southwest Human Development Head Start follows the Head Start “whole child” model that addresses the entire spectrum of needs that enable learning. Along with support for medical and dental care, prenatal care, mental health, immunizations, and early intervention for delays and disabilities, our progressive wellness initiatives include mindfulness and yoga.

Returning to full program operations and wellness THE 2022-23 ACADEMIC YEAR was a milestone

hand two days a week at MPHC’s Balsz Pediatric

in the return to pre-pandemic levels of visits to

Clinic to recruit income-eligible families in need

primary care providers for medical and dental care

of outreach, resources, and referrals. Providing

and prevention. With health and safety strategies

a patient-centered medical home with evening

in place to protect from COVID-19 and other

and weekend hours, MPHC also hosts community

communicable diseases, the highest priority was

events and health literacy initiatives that

promoting health literacy and connecting families

complement Head Start’s delivery of wraparound

to the resources that would enable them to meet

health and social services.

Head Start health standards. The application process for new families facilitates this process by providing a biopsychological profile of overall

End-of-Year Medical Summary

health factors, family strengths and needs, and

• 98% preschoolers with health insurance • 98% preschoolers with medical home • 95% preschoolers with all possible immunizations/exempt • 100% infants/toddlers with health insurance • 100% infants/toddlers with medical home • 94% infants/toddlers with all possible immunizations

windows into the child’s development. Ongoing updates and information on health and wellness are highlighted in our monthly Home & School Connection newsletter, presented in a culturally sensitive and easily understood style.

Our continuing partnership with Mountain Park Health Center (MPHC) provides wellness services for our families, along with powerful support for improving health outcomes and promoting health literacy and equity. A new initiative in 2022-23 gave our home-visiting staff the opportunity to be on

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L E A D E R S H I P i n H E A LT H , S A F E T Y a n d W E L L N E S S

Ongoing professional development in health & safety SUPPORTED BY CONSTRUCT™ SOFTWARE,

Every teacher at Southwest Human Development

Southwest Human Development Head Start leads

Head Start receives ongoing support for

the way in coaching and active supervision for

Environmental Health & Safety, inclusive of active

Environmental Health & Safety. Even prior to the

supervision—at least bi-monthly for new employees

pandemic, advanced strategies and the latest

and monthly for experienced staff. To ensure the

sanitizing equipment were in place to protect

highest quality in disease prevention and hygiene

staff, teachers, children, and families. The return

strategies, coaches confirm compliance with

to in-person training in 2022-23 gave coaches

state licensing requirements and take advantage

and instructors the opportunity for personalized

of opportunities for on-the-spot guidance and

interactions and a deeper dive into topics at the

immediate feedback. One of the most crucial

forefront of individual and public health. With the

classroom environment protections occurs at

expansion of Employee Onboarding from four

drop-off time when teachers complete the daily

days to three weeks, health content managers

health check and make informed decisions about

can facilitate group discussion of key takeaways

symptoms and exposure risk. Throughout the day,

and more effectively address differences in

teachers continue to monitor prescribed hand-

learning styles.

washing for children and staff, meal-time hygiene, and the appearance of symptoms that might require the caregiver to take a child home.

“When I stepped into the role of professional development coaching, I brought along the experience I gained in six years of classroom teaching and a year of working as a Family Support Specialist. As an Environmental Health & Safety coach, I am constantly striving to provide quality coaching and guidance that support our teachers in delivering high-quality services to the families we serve.

– Celeste Angulo, Professional Development Coach

“Promoting health literacy begins with the reality that children need to be healthy to grow mentally and physically and developmentally. In working with parents, we meet them where they are and provide individual consultations if that is needed.” –Bari Nemeth, Health Program Manager

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L E A D E R S H I P i n H E A LT H , S A F E T Y a n d W E L L N E S S

Training for active shooter prevention CRISIS PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE often require specialized training, resources, and safety measures. All three steps were taken in 2022-23 as part of our new active shooter prevention initiative.

Current staff completed a two-hour training program with presentations on various scenarios and response strategies for each. In partnership with local law enforcement, Southwest Human Development Head Start provided classroom layouts, blueprints, and other structural details needed to formulate effective plans. In turn, officers committed to an immediate response and a three-minute arrival. During that crucial window

of time, all classrooms would be in active shooter lockdown—a step that is not practiced with the children but thoroughly reviewed with teachers and staff.

Classrooms are now secured by lock bars that keep doors from opening to the inside and safety hinge sleeves that can withstand up to 550 pounds of external force. Calming kits are available in every classroom, providing essentials like soft toys for tactile comfort, lollypops to quiet very small children, and a flashlight for children who are afraid of the dark and might cry. Plans with law enforcement also include designated meeting points where parents and children can reunite in the case of facility evacuation.

“Like every school and daycare facility across the nation, Southwest Human Development Head Start has implemented active shooter prevention training with the hope that it will never have to be used. At the same time, these crucial steps in preparedness and precaution are giving our staff and the families we serve greater peace of mind.”

– Jessica Varela, Program Manager of Facilities, Safety & Wellness 16

L E A D E R S H I P i n H E A LT H , S A F E T Y a n d W E L L N E S S

Improving oral health comes EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON BRUSHING, flossing, eating healthy foods, and regular dental care have always been a Head Start imperative.

Unfortunately, many parents grew up without oral health experiences, which creates obstacles from generational patterns to fears about visiting the dentist. Impressing the importance of oral care and the impact of gum disease or tooth decay on a child’s overall health can be challenging.

To further family education and establish a “dental home” with ongoing access to oral care, Southwest Human Development Head Start works closely with community partners including Arcadia Pediatric Dental. Professional dental screenings at each Head Start/EHS site provide a baseline for preventative care and treatment.

For families who lack dental coverage or fail to qualify for assistance, the program covers the cost of care.

2022-23 Dental Care Summary PROGRAM

EXAM

VARNISH

Head Start EHS-CCP* EHS/center-based EHS children EHS pregnant women

321 50 22 45 16

311 46 21 39 16

Totals

454

433

*Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships

End-of-Year Oral Care Access • 94% infants/todders with dental home • 97% preschoolers with dental home

Teachers and staff continually provide oral care experiences in the classroom, where children brush their teeth at least once each day after breakfast or lunch. During the initial home visit with all enrolled families, Family Support Specialists arrive with a Smile Bag of dental supplies from Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation and oral health education materials. Delta Dental also provides free oral exams and care to pregnant women enrolled in the program. To further encourage new mothers to continue their own oral care and establish a dental home, Dental Delta offers treatment at a significantly reduced cost.

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Leadership in staff training, retention and growth Southwest Human Development Head Start provides exceptional opportunities for professional development, from nationally recognized innovative strategies and technology-enabled coaching to unparalleled opportunities for grant-supported educational advancement.

Addressing and supporting staff retention OUR INNOVATIVE ONBOARDING PROCESS

New family engagement staff engage in a similar

for newly hired teachers and family support

process but receive hands-on guidance and

professionals that began in 2022 continued to

observational experience at Creighton Academy.

evolve and expand into a comprehensive three-

They receive comprehensive instruction that

week training program. Grounded in active multi-

includes program governance and parent

methodology coaching, Employee Onboarding

leadership, Construct™ software and the Parent

incorporates the evidence-based principles of adult

Portal, evidence-based family engagement

learning theories identified in Bloom’s Taxonomy—

practices, and community resources and referrals.

an effective structure for setting learning objectives

Coaches reinforce learnings and strategies by

and measuring the depth of understanding.

providing hands-on experiences of effective communication and relationship-building with

New teachers begin their first week in our main

families using role play and reflective feedback.

office, completing online modules and passing

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digital courses required by the Arizona State

Week three takes a deeper dive into the content

Department of Education and the Arizona

presented in the first two weeks through meetings

Department of Health Services Bureau of Child

with content managers, on-site observations, and

Care Licensing. During week two, a professional

hands-on experiences supported by professional

development coach provides comprehensive

development coaches. Fully documented in

instruction from policies and procedures to

Construct software, our exclusive onboarding

best practices in early childhood classrooms.

process gives newly hired teachers and family

To reinforce high-quality practices for teaching,

engagement professionals an opportunity for

health and safety, and family engagement, an

immediate compensation and professional

Employee Practicum at Educare Arizona provides

development credit before they ever step into

opportunities for classroom observation.

their new position.

“When I think of Southwest Human Development, I think of emergent leadership in what is innovative and creative and successful. Flexibility is one of the qualities we are known for, taking flexible approaches to learning, growth, creativity, and opportunities. I know that what I am seeing in our Head Start and Early Head Start programs is the future of early care and education!”

– Jorge Sanchez, Professional Development Coach

Advancing career growth through Success Coaching LAUNCHED IN 2022, our Success Coaching

enable new employees to share their challenges,

program has proven to be highly effective in the

progress, and goals. They receive assistance in

areas of talent development and staff retention.

developing leadership and intrinsic skills through

New employees receive ongoing, direct assistance

evidence-based best practices for overcoming

in understanding and navigating their job

obstacles in the classroom and organization-

responsibilities as well as opportunities to reflect

wide resources for specific support. Designed to

on their personal and professional goals. Check-in

foster self-direction and independent thinking

sessions between a coach and the new employee

around career growth, Success Coaching also

occur in months two, four, six, and nine, ending

creates a bridge to opportunities for educational

with the one-year anniversary.

advancement and professional development that include our tuition assistance program and

Fully documented in Construct Employee software

partnerships within the agency and our community

for reference and sharing, meetings with coaches

workforce.

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L E A D E R S H I P i n S TA F F T R A I N I N G , R E T E N T I O N a n d G R O W T H

Building team spirit and promoting wellness

Credentialing and support for lifelong learning

ORIGINALLY CREATED AS CELEBRATORY

Our programming leadership at Educare Arizona

gatherings after the isolation of the pandemic, our

provides Southwest Human Development Head

staff wellness events proved to be overwhelmingly

Start with a Center of Excellence for the latest

successful. The kick-off event for 2022-23 was

science, research, and evidence-based practices.

held at the Musical Instrument Museum, where

The campus also provides a state-of-the-art

staff could explore displays, enjoy a healthy lunch,

research facility and training ground for candidates

and learn strategies for integrating music into

in the field of early childhood development. Eligible

classroom activities. The Phoenix Zoo was the

candidates can enter the 35-week workforce

setting for the second event, planned to dovetail

apprenticeship program at any time to begin 120

with preparation for a classroom unit on animals.

hours of online formal training and 480 hours of

Along with giving teachers the chance to gather

classroom experience.

photos and information, the zoo visit provided a relaxed setting for staff across the organization to

Functioning like a paid internship, the program

build relationships and strengthen connections.

covers the cost of coursework, textbooks, and final exam. Instructors rotate the site location of Zoom-

Snow Day remains one of the most popular

based sessions, giving candidates bi-monthly

events, with several tons of “freshly dropped”

opportunities for personal guidance from a trainer.

snow at a local park setting the stage for fun,

While the primary focus is early childhood care and

conversation, and laughter. Following a wellness

education, the program also teaches the soft skills

theme, this year’s competition engaged staff

needed for confident and effective communication.

in building a snowperson in their favorite yoga position—followed by their own attempt to match

Our unique CDA program attracts many candidates

the pose. SRP Park in Tempe was the location of

who are current or former Head Start parents

a final agency-wide retreat that featured outdoor

or members of the surrounding community.

movement and wellness activities from hip-hop

Recruiting teachers whose appearance, language,

and Zumba® dancing to massage, yoga, and

and culture are familiar to our children and families

puppy therapy.

keeps Southwest Human Development at the forefront of cultural and linguistic sensitivity. We are also national leaders in the education and placement of male preschool teachers: Four of

Head Start/EHS Staff Snapshot • 75 of 487 staff former Head Start parents • 398 Head Start staff • 104 preschool teachers/ assistant teachers • 89 EHS staff • 89 EHS classroom teachers • 12 EHS home visitors

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seven Educare classrooms have one or more male teachers and another seven male candidates are currently completing their CDA program. Across the national landscape, only three percent of early childhood teachers are male.

“I have been involved in this work for 44 years and it never grows old. I started college in business and pre-law but everything changed the moment I saw my sister’s newborn baby.

Making money was no longer my life priority. So often, we can see that awakening to core values and heart in our apprentice program. The soft skills piece helps people connect with their passion.”

– Estella Smith Quality Initiatives Manager

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L E A D E R S H I P i n S TA F F T R A I N I N G , R E T E N T I O N a n d G R O W T H

Celebrating the success of Head Start’s two-generation approach WHEN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE programs

Throughout her educational journey, Tina actively

are designed to build the well-being of children

advocated for the Head Start program. She

and the adults in their lives together, the

attended two National Head Start conferences,

resulting structure is stronger and better for

where she shared her inspiring story with members

both generations.

of Congress. She also served on the Head Start Policy Council for five years and is currently a member of the Southwest Human Development Board of Directors. Looking back, Tina can see

Moving to the United States from South India,

how those leadership experiences boosted her

Tina Grounder arrived with little knowledge

confidence in being able to realize her goals and

about her new country or its educational system.

enabled her to be an empowering figure for other

Fortunately, she connected with Southwest Human

parents. Tina sees the Head Start program as a safe

Development where she enrolled her son Jason in

haven, a place where parents can ask questions

Head Start—and later her son Nathan. Tina credits

and receive the support they need. Seeing how

Head Start for giving Jason the strong educational

much she has grown, Tina takes immense pride in

foundation that enabled him to continue excelling

the unwavering determination that took her across

academically and earn a scholarship to Harvey

the finish line and all that she has accomplished.

Mudd College. During the time Jason was in

Both Jason and Nathan call her their “rock star

Head Start, Tina was learning beside him, from

mom,” and she loves knowing how much Jason

the significance of health and dental checkups to

enjoys bragging about his mother’s graduation to

the importance of reading and educational play.

his friends—and to his college professors!

Coming from a country where college was not encouraged for girls, Tina believed that marriage and motherhood had ended any hope for higher education. That thinking began to change as she became inspired by her Family Support Specialist, a working mom who was balancing multiple responsibilities. After taking the bold step of stating education as a goal in her Family Partnership Agreement, Tina began taking classes at Phoenix College. By 2020 she had earned an associate degree and in 2023, Tina proudly graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree and a cybersecurity specialty.

Son Jason with his rock-star mom

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Leadership in funding and fiscal responsibility Southwest Human Development is well known for maximizing resources through innovative strategies and layered funding that enable our programs to meet the real-world needs of children, parents, and staff.

Excelling in operational efficiency OUR ABILITY TO FORM DYNAMIC PARTNERSHIPS and procure braided/blended funding resources are key factors in our reputation for maximizing resources that benefit our programs and the entire community. Even during the economic turmoil of the pandemic, realignment of funding enabled

program since its launch in 2012—many of whom are employed today in Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The success rate for finding immediate employment upon program completion is 97 percent, and many have gone on to earn degrees from associate through doctoral.

us to build three new centers that expanded the resources needed most by working families: Access to extended full-day hours of safe, reliable, high-quality child care. The innovative Tablet Lending Program we launched during the pandemic continues to support equity and technology literacy, including improvements in Arizona’s public education system. Our partnering school districts are now seeing Wi-fi-enabled tablets as a viable solution to the obstacle of supplying every child with a laptop when some homes lack Internet access. One of the most impressive returns on funding investment is often overlooked: The life-changing impact of multilevel, two-generation support for personal growth and development through grants for continued education and lifelong learning. Hundreds of Head Start parents and employees have completed our on-site Child Development Associate (CDA)

2022-23 Funding Sources $11,193,859 Federal Head Start $8,773,472 Federal Early Head Start $1,482,848 HS/EHS American Rescue Plan $810,834 USDA/CACFP $7,290,029 Local In-Kind Donations $1,732,037 Private/Other $31,283,079 Total Revenues Independent Audit Results CliftonLarsonAllen LLC, Certified Public Accountants, completed the Fiscal Year 2022 audit ending June 30, 2023. Summary of findings: The financial statements present fairly, in all material aspects, the financial position of Southwest Human Development, Inc. as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

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Head Start and Early Head Start Center Locations Balsz/Educare District Pat Tillman School 4309 E Bellview Phoenix, AZ 85008 Brunson-Lee School 1350 N 48th Street Phoenix, AZ 85008

Monte Vista School 3501 E Osborn Road Phoenix, AZ 85018

Phoenix College 3310 N 10th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85013

Papago School 2013 N 36th Street Phoenix, AZ 85008

Paradise Valley District

Creighton West District

Crockett School 501 N 36th Street Phoenix, AZ 85008

Excelencia School 2181 E McDowell Road Phoenix, AZ 85006

Educare/Brunson-Lee Site 1300 N 48th Street Phoenix, AZ 85008

Kennedy School 2702 E Osborn Road Phoenix, AZ 85016

Creighton East District

Machan School 2140 E Virginia Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85006

Creighton School 2802 E McDowell Phoenix, AZ 85008 Gateway School 1100 N 35th Street Phoenix, AZ 85008

Osborn-Madison Park District Encanto School 146 West Osborn Road Phoenix, AZ 85013 Montecito School 715 E Montecito Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85014

Campo Bello School 2650 E Contention Mine Road Phoenix, AZ 85032 Echo Mountain School 1811 E Michigan Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85022 Palomino School 15833 N 29th Street Phoenix, AZ 85032 EHS-Child Care Partnerships Ninas Family Child Care Centers (Locations vary) 3502 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85018 Strong Foundations 2302 West Colter Street Phoenix, AZ 85018

2850 North 24th Street • Phoenix, AZ 85008-1004 • Tel (602) 266-5976 Fax (602) 633-8755 • Head Start Referral (602) 560-0000 • Email mzapata@swhd.org www.swhd.org