Supervisor Gonzales Elected Chair of Head Start Shared Governance Board

Unanimously elected, San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales was elected as chair of the Head Start Shared Governance Board. The Head Start Shared Governing Board (HSSGB) evaluates programs, advises the Board of Supervisors and is involved in the Head Start decision-making process prior to the Board of Supervisors’ final approval on policy items. Head Start and Early Head Start programs, administered by County of San Bernardino Preschool Services Department, provide comprehensive developmental services for children under the age of five and their families with an annual income at or below the Federal Poverty Guideline. Head Start and Early Head Start programming served a total of 5,928 children and families in 2013 through 2014. “I am excited for this opportunity to help bring increased services and support to our local children and families. These programs prepare our children from cradle to career in acquiring the personal development and attention they need to succeed in the real world, and I intend to do everything I can to make sure we meet that goal,” Supervisor Gonzales said. The HSSGB meets quarterly to serve multiple functions including but not limited to: • Develop, review and advise the Board of Supervisors on policies and procedures affecting the Head Start Program. • Establish philosophy and long- and short-range program goals for the Head Start Program in cooperation with the Parent Policy Council. • Ensure an annual independent audit of the Head Start Program is conducted. • Establish and maintain procedures for hearing and resolving community complaints about the program. • Prepare annual self-assessment of the program’s effectiveness. “We at the San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department are very excited about working with Supervisor Gonzales as the new chair of our Head Start Shared Governance Board. We look forward to partnering with her in meeting our mission to improve the well-being of children, empowering families and strengthening communities,” said Diana Alexander, Director of San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department. Denise Jackson, community representative on the Head Start Policy Council, has her daughter enrolled in Head Start services in Rialto and attended Supervisor Gonzales’s first meeting as chair of the board. “As a parent, it is an honor to have Supervisor Gonzales on the board. Hearing her speak on the love she has for the children and community brought joy to us all. The eagerness she has to learn and the care and compassion she has for our children is just phenomenal,” Jackson said. The Head Start Shared Governing Board consist of five members including CaSonya Thomas, director of the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health; Maxwell Ohikuare, M.D., health officer with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health; Kathy Turnbull, network officer with the San Bernardino County Children’s Network; and Becky Thams, M.A., state preschool manager with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.