Program Governance

Contact Information
Lucie Alonso, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 831.755.0348 
 

Policy Council Executive Committee Members:

  • Chairperson: Norma Perez, Alisal Center
  • Vice-Chairperson: Asusena Frias, Sherwood Center
  • Secretary: Jessica Munoz, North Monterey County Center

Members:

  • Linda Cortez, Community Representative
  • Sandra Espinoza, Delegate Representative (Greenfield Unified School District)
  • Cindy Gonzales, Early Head Start
  • Margarita Nunez, Early Head Start Past Parent 
  • Yanet Zamitiz, North Monterey County
  • Jessica Navarro, Gladys Stone
  • David Estrada, Creekside
  • Angelica Perez, Santa Rita
  • Maria Antonia Tejeda Cuevas, Gabilan 3
  • Karina Ramirez, Greenfield
  • Asusena Mejia-Frias, Head Start Past Parent 

Alternates:

  • Fatima Alcantar, Delegate (Greenfield Union School District)
  • Ana Cecilia Angel Hernandez, Early Head Start
  • Eduardo Linares, North Monterey County
  • Jessica Munoz, North Monterey County
  • Miguel Rodriguez, Alisal
  • Silvia Fuentes Marquez, First Steps
  • Tatiana Ramirez, Frank Paul
  • Juana Inez Nunez, Martin Luther King Center
  • Irais Naxhelli Cruz, Sherwood
  • Contastina Santiago, Gabilan
  • Rebecca Santa Cruz-Gamez, Gonzales

The Monterey County Office of Education, Head Start and delegate agencies are required by federal law to establish and maintain a formal structure of shared governance through which parents can participate in policy making and other decision-making. The Program Director and elected parent representatives jointly plan and decide on major program policies, personnel, budget, and service areas.

Our local governance structure, as required by Head Start Performance Standards includes the following:   

  • Policy Council - The Head Start Policy Council consists of 15 parents of currently enrolled children.  The council meets monthly to discuss program business and to make key decisions that affect the program's quality and success. 
  • Parent Advisory Committee - The Parent Advisory consists of parent representatives and meets with the Family and Community Partnership Coordinator to discuss center concerns and make recommendations for improvement. The Parent Advisory meets quarterly.
  • Policy Committee - The Policy Committee is be established at the Delegate Agency level. Each Delegate Agency establishes its own by-laws and meeting schedule.  
  • Parent Committee - The Committee is established at the center level to provide parents the opportunity to participate in their child's development. Each center committee meets monthly.