Isabella project newsletter
July 12, 2022 (EN/ESP)
Dear Santa Paula Highest Quality Early Childhood Education Steering Committee,
Isabella is five months old now and is beyond adorable!! We continue to be inspired by this sweet, precious little girl to ensure that all children in our community have access to highest-quality early childhood education.
Since we last connected, we’ve received close to $2 million in grant requests from the Santa Paula Steering Committee member organizations to remove key barriers that stand in the way of families accessing any early childhood education opportunities, let alone a high-quality program.
The proposals for funding range from outreach to families, to internship opportunities for prospective teachers, childcare services, infrastructure investment in the public school system, and more. It is motivating to see the creativity and solutions-oriented requests, and at the same time, to recognize that more collaboration between members will be vital for the proposals to reach their full impact and best serve the families in Santa Paula.
This is why we are so looking forward to the August 16 meeting at the Santa Paula Depot, which we believe will be critical for helping us best prioritize the funding requests together. In the meantime, we are hard at work to raise as much money as possible for this first round of grantmaking and will definitely keep you posted. Please keep your fingers crossed!
We are also working to secure funding for consulting support, asset mapping, and systems design by a highly regarded firm, whose founder’s book, Impact Networks, is just fabulous! If you are interested in receiving a copy of David Ehrlichman’s book, please let Robin Bissett know at [email protected], and we will happily order you one for your reading pleasure (available exclusively for committee members).
Lastly, we have submitted the final grant request for three years of funding for a fulltime, bilingual Project Manager, and will definitely keep you posted the moment that we receive news. We know this position is vital to the success of the entire countywide effort, and will dramatically help advance our collective efforts in Santa Paula as well.
As Robin Wall Kimmer wrote in Braiding Sweetgrass,
“What happens to one happens to us all.
We can starve together or feast together;
All flourishing is mutual.”
We are committed and we know we can do hard things together. Let us keep doing all we can in our sub-committees to advance our mission and we really look forward to seeing you very soon!!
My best to you,
Vanessa Bechtel
Steering Committee Member President & CEO, Ventura County Community Foundation
Santa Paula Unified School District Update from Co-Chair Jeff Weinstein
Santa Paula Unified School District (SPUSD) is continuing to expand its efforts to serve the families of the Santa Paula Community through their Early Childhood Education programs. The district is very happy to announce the creation of a free public preschool program for children in the district that turn 3 years old by September 2, 2022. The preschools will be located at two locations; Blanchard Elementary School and Barbara Webster Elementary School and slated to open by January 2023. The preschool will be designed to prepare children for our Kindergarten programs and offer many enrichment activities for the children to grow and experience the world of art, music, language, science, and technology. SPUSD has received state funding for 160 students and with other funding opportunities it hopes to serve a much higher number of children.
For the 2022/23 school year, SPUSD will continue to accept all children in the district that turn 4 by September 2, 2022 into its Transitional Kindergarten Classes which operate at four school locations. These locations are Glen City Elementary, Barbara Webster Elementary School, Grace Thille Elementary School, and Thelma Bedell Elementary School. Glen City Elementary School offers both traditional Transitional Kindergarten and a Dual Language Emersion Transitional Kindergarten which provides bilingual education to students in Spanish and English. In addition, SPUSD offers a full Kindergarten program at all its elementary schools for children in the district that turn 5 by September 2, 2022.
Elvia Hernandez Featured in Santa Paula Times
Elvia Hernandez was celebrated for her behind-the scenes activism at the May 19 Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner.
Hernandez was applauded and lauded for her good works on behalf of the community, including helping provide for the physical and mental well-being of residents by linking them with social services, COVID-19 prevention/vaccination, the Census, and housing placement and rights.
Meet Our Newest Members!
Ben Suber
GIS Manager & Planner Schmitz & Associates
Martin Erickson has been executive director of the Ventura County Transportation Commission since January 2022. He joined VCTC in 2016 as director of public transit. Erickson has more than 25 years of public transit and transportation experience, including as manager of government affairs at the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District and deputy city manager for the City of Oxnard, where his responsibilities included management of the city’s transit services program.
Dr. Charles Weis
Interim Dean for the School of Education California State University, Channel Islands
As the Managing Director—Branch Manager in the Valley Market for Wells Fargo, Scott Hansen has the honor of leading three financial advisor branches in Westlake Village, Woodland Hills and Encino. He also leads their High-Net-Worth Private Wealth Advisor Team which operates out of Private Banking offices in Santa Barbara, Westlake Village, Encino and Pasadena. He has been in the banking and financial services industry for 30 years.
Mr. Hansen earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from University of California, Santa Barbara. Scott resides in Ventura with his wife of 25 years and their three children. He volunteers in the community with various organizations including Women’s Economic Ventures, California State University Channel Islands, and Ventura Foothill Little League Baseball.
This information is intended for use by residents of AR, CA, MA, and UT only.
Investment and Insurance Products are:
* Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency
* Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate
* Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
Opinions and comments do not necessarily represent the views of our firm. Additional guidelines can be found on wfa.com/social
PM-07042025-6198663.1.1
Cynthia Salas Salgado
Equity Services Manager County of Ventura
Rick MacLennan, Ed.D., was selected by the Board of Trustees to serve as Chancellor beginning July 2022. He has more than 30 years of experience in educational leadership at community colleges in Idaho, Maryland, and Washington.
Dr. MacLennan is dedicated to supporting Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura colleges and the District Office in providing equitable, student-centered access to quality and relevant educational programs and support services. He is committed to the community colleges’ missions of access and opportunity and believes that students are unique individuals with meaningful differences in their learning styles and abilities, attitudes toward learning and life, past educational experiences, culturally based values, and interests and goals.
Through meaningful engagement with the community, Dr. MacLennan believes that by reducing barriers to education and by strengthening partnerships with high schools, business and industry, and social service agencies, communities and their members thrive. Throughout his career, Dr. MacLennan has been deeply engaged in his communities, serving in leadership roles for regional economic development efforts, higher education policy and planning, local nonprofit boards, and community foundations.
A Southern California native, Dr. MacLennan’s path to higher education began as an adult learner after serving in the U.S. Army as an enlisted infantry soldier. Dr. MacLennan earned bachelor’s degrees in communications and general studies from Portland State University and a master’s in college student services administration from Oregon State University. He graduated with distinction as the outstanding doctoral student from Wilmington College (now University), New Castle, Delaware, with a doctor of education in educational innovation and leadership.
Gregory Barnes
Parks & Recreation Director City of Santa Paula
Clay McCarter serves the County of Ventura in the County Executive Office where he focuses on capital projects, the County Budget, community development, and economic development. He has over 15 years of public sector experience and previously was a policy advisor to the Los Angeles City Council. He has degrees from UCLA and the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
James Mason
Community & Economic Development Director City of Santa Paula
Dr. Morales is currently the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. He also served as a
District Superintendent in the Oxnard School District. He held leadership roles in the Lawndale and Lennox School Districts in Los Angeles County.
Dr. Morales leads VCOE, which employs nearly 1,000 people and provides teacher training and administrative support services to all the County’s 20 school districts. VCOE also operates schools for students with special needs, at-promise students and provides career education for students countywide.
Dr. Morales received his Doctor of Education degree from UCLA and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Loyola Marymount University. Dr. Morales serves on a number of local nonprofit boards, including the First 5 Ventura County Commission and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin’s Education Advisory Committee. He is also a past President of the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators. Dr. Morales was the recipient of the El Concilio Latino Leadership Award and was named a “Leader to Learn From” by Education Week magazine. His areas of expertise include all aspects of public school management. He has gained recognition locally and statewide for his leadership on critical issues.
Dr. Kimberly Hoffmans
President Ventura College
Martin Erickson has been executive director of the Ventura County Transportation Commission since January 2022. He joined VCTC in 2016 as director of public transit. Erickson has more than 25 years of public transit and transportation experience, including as manager of government affairs at the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District and deputy city manager for the City of Oxnard, where his responsibilities included management of the city’s transit services program.
Kristie Akl
President & Founder kidSTREAM
As the Managing Director—Branch Manager in the Valley Market for Wells Fargo, Scott Hansen has the honor of leading three financial advisor branches in Westlake Village, Woodland Hills and Encino. He also leads their High-Net-Worth Private Wealth Advisor Team which operates out of Private Banking offices in Santa Barbara, Westlake Village, Encino and Pasadena. He has been in the banking and financial services industry for 30 years.
Mr. Hansen earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from University of California, Santa Barbara. Scott resides in Ventura with his wife of 25 years and their three children. He volunteers in the community with various organizations including Women’s Economic Ventures, California State University Channel Islands, and Ventura Foothill Little League Baseball.
This information is intended for use by residents of AR, CA, MA, and UT only.
Investment and Insurance Products are:
* Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency
* Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate
* Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
Opinions and comments do not necessarily represent the views of our firm. Additional guidelines can be found on wfa.com/social
PM-07042025-6198663.1.1
Lisa Salas Brown
Associate Superintendent Ventura County Office of Education
Rick MacLennan, Ed.D., was selected by the Board of Trustees to serve as Chancellor beginning July 2022. He has more than 30 years of experience in educational leadership at community colleges in Idaho, Maryland, and Washington.
Dr. MacLennan is dedicated to supporting Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura colleges and the District Office in providing equitable, student-centered access to quality and relevant educational programs and support services. He is committed to the community colleges’ missions of access and opportunity and believes that students are unique individuals with meaningful differences in their learning styles and abilities, attitudes toward learning and life, past educational experiences, culturally based values, and interests and goals.
Through meaningful engagement with the community, Dr. MacLennan believes that by reducing barriers to education and by strengthening partnerships with high schools, business and industry, and social service agencies, communities and their members thrive. Throughout his career, Dr. MacLennan has been deeply engaged in his communities, serving in leadership roles for regional economic development efforts, higher education policy and planning, local nonprofit boards, and community foundations.
A Southern California native, Dr. MacLennan’s path to higher education began as an adult learner after serving in the U.S. Army as an enlisted infantry soldier. Dr. MacLennan earned bachelor’s degrees in communications and general studies from Portland State University and a master’s in college student services administration from Oregon State University. He graduated with distinction as the outstanding doctoral student from Wilmington College (now University), New Castle, Delaware, with a doctor of education in educational innovation and leadership.
Margo Byrne
President & CEO Channel Islands YCMA
Clay McCarter serves the County of Ventura in the County Executive Office where he focuses on capital projects, the County Budget, community development, and economic development. He has over 15 years of public sector experience and previously was a policy advisor to the Los Angeles City Council. He has degrees from UCLA and the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Marisa Solorzano
Interpretive Site Manager Museum of Ventura County, Agriculture Museum
Martin Erickson has been executive director of the Ventura County Transportation Commission since January 2022. He joined VCTC in 2016 as director of public transit. Erickson has more than 25 years of public transit and transportation experience, including as manager of government affairs at the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District and deputy city manager for the City of Oxnard, where his responsibilities included management of the city’s transit services program.
Dr. Martita Martinez-Bravo
Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Lecturer California State University, Channel Islands
Rick MacLennan, Ed.D., was selected by the Board of Trustees to serve as Chancellor beginning July 2022. He has more than 30 years of experience in educational leadership at community colleges in Idaho, Maryland, and Washington.
Dr. MacLennan is dedicated to supporting Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura colleges and the District Office in providing equitable, student-centered access to quality and relevant educational programs and support services. He is committed to the community colleges’ missions of access and opportunity and believes that students are unique individuals with meaningful differences in their learning styles and abilities, attitudes toward learning and life, past educational experiences, culturally based values, and interests and goals.
Through meaningful engagement with the community, Dr. MacLennan believes that by reducing barriers to education and by strengthening partnerships with high schools, business and industry, and social service agencies, communities and their members thrive. Throughout his career, Dr. MacLennan has been deeply engaged in his communities, serving in leadership roles for regional economic development efforts, higher education policy and planning, local nonprofit boards, and community foundations.
A Southern California native, Dr. MacLennan’s path to higher education began as an adult learner after serving in the U.S. Army as an enlisted infantry soldier. Dr. MacLennan earned bachelor’s degrees in communications and general studies from Portland State University and a master’s in college student services administration from Oregon State University. He graduated with distinction as the outstanding doctoral student from Wilmington College (now University), New Castle, Delaware, with a doctor of education in educational innovation and leadership.
Richard LeRoy
Interim Vice President for University Advancement California State University, Channel Islands
As the Managing Director—Branch Manager in the Valley Market for Wells Fargo, Scott Hansen has the honor of leading three financial advisor branches in Westlake Village, Woodland Hills and Encino. He also leads their High-Net-Worth Private Wealth Advisor Team which operates out of Private Banking offices in Santa Barbara, Westlake Village, Encino and Pasadena. He has been in the banking and financial services industry for 30 years.
Mr. Hansen earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from University of California, Santa Barbara. Scott resides in Ventura with his wife of 25 years and their three children. He volunteers in the community with various organizations including Women’s Economic Ventures, California State University Channel Islands, and Ventura Foothill Little League Baseball.
This information is intended for use by residents of AR, CA, MA, and UT only.
Investment and Insurance Products are:
* Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency
* Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate
* Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
Opinions and comments do not necessarily represent the views of our firm. Additional guidelines can be found on wfa.com/social
PM-07042025-6198663.1.1
Ryan Grau
Executive Director Ventura County Taxpayers Association
Dr. Morales is currently the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. He also served as a
District Superintendent in the Oxnard School District. He held leadership roles in the Lawndale and Lennox School Districts in Los Angeles County.
Dr. Morales leads VCOE, which employs nearly 1,000 people and provides teacher training and administrative support services to all the County’s 20 school districts. VCOE also operates schools for students with special needs, at-promise students and provides career education for students countywide.
Dr. Morales received his Doctor of Education degree from UCLA and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Loyola Marymount University. Dr. Morales serves on a number of local nonprofit boards, including the First 5 Ventura County Commission and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin’s Education Advisory Committee. He is also a past President of the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators. Dr. Morales was the recipient of the El Concilio Latino Leadership Award and was named a “Leader to Learn From” by Education Week magazine. His areas of expertise include all aspects of public school management. He has gained recognition locally and statewide for his leadership on critical issues.
Success Stories from San Diego
— “Supporting Essential Services – San Diego County Childcare Provider Grant Program,” YMCA of San Diego County
— “Supporting Essential Services – San Diego County Childcare Provider Grant Program,” Child Development Associates
— “The San Diego Childcare Voucher Program,” YMCA of San Diego County
— “Impact of Covid-19 on Child Care Licensed Programs,” YMCA of San Diego County
“2022-23 State Budget Summary,” California State Assembly
Book Recommendation “Impact Networks: Create Connection, Spark Collaboration, and Catalyze Systemic Change” by David Ehrlichman
Estimado Comité Directivo para la Educación Preescolar de la Mayor Calidad en Santa Paula:
Isabella ya tiene cinco meses, y ¡¡es más que adorable!! Seguimos sintiéndonos inspirados por esta dulce y preciosa niñita, para asegurarnos que todos los niños de nuestra comunidad tienen acceso a educación preescolar de la mayor calidad.
Desde que conectamos por última vez, hemos recibido cerca de $2 millones en peticiones de ayudas de las organizaciones miembros del Comité Directivo de Santa Paula para eliminar barreras clave que impiden a las familias acceder a ninguna oportunidad de educación preescolar, y más a programas de alta calidad.
Las propuestas de financiación van desde difusión a familias a oportunidades de prácticas para futuros maestros, servicios de cuidado de niños, inversión en infraestructuras en la red de escuelas públicas, y más. Es motivador ver la creatividad y las peticiones orientadas a soluciones, y al mismo tiempo reconocer que será vital una mayor colaboración entre los miembros para que las propuestas alcancen todo su impacto y sirvan mejor a las familias de Santa Paula.
Por eso tenemos tantas ganas de que llegue la reunión del 16 de agosto en el Depósito de Santa Paula, que creemos que será fundamental para ayudarnos a priorizar mejor juntos las peticiones de financiación. Por favor, asegúrense de confirmar su asistencia hoy haciendo clic en este enlace. Mientras tanto, estamos trabajando duro para recaudar la mayor cantidad de dinero posible para esta primera ronda de concesión de ayudas, y definitivamente les mantendremos informados. Por favor, ¡mantengan cruzados los dedos!
También estamos trabajando para obtener fondos para apoyo de consultoría, mapas de activos y diseño de sistemas por parte de una empresa de gran reputación. ¡El libro escrito por su fundador, Impact Networks, es sencillamente fabuloso! Si les interesa recibir un ejemplar del libro de David Ehrlichman, por favor, háganselo saber a Robin Bissett escribiendo a [email protected]rg, y será para nosotros un placer pedirles uno para que disfruten con su lectura.
Por último, hemos presentado la petición final de ayuda para tres años de financiación para un Gestor de Proyectos bilingüe a tiempo completo, y definitivamente les mantendremos informados en cuanto recibamos noticias. Sabemos que este puesto es vital para el éxito de todo el esfuerzo a nivel del condado, y también ayudará enormemente al avance de nuestros esfuerzos colectivos en Santa Paula.
Como escribió Robin Wall Kimmer en Una Trenza de Hierba Sagrada,
“Lo que nos pasa a uno, nos pasa a todos”.
Juntos podemos pasar hambre o disfrutar de un banquete;
Toda prosperidad es mutua.”
Estamos comprometidos y sabemos que podemos hacer cosas difíciles juntos. Sigamos haciendo todo lo que podamos en nuestros subcomités para progresar en nuestra misión. ¡¡Tenemos realmente ganas de verlos muy pronto!!
Con mis mejores deseos,
Vanessa Bechtel
Miembro del Comité Directivo Presidente y Directora General, Fundación Comunitaria del Condado de Ventura
Actualización sobre el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Santa Paula por parte del Copresidente, Jeff Weinstein
El Distrito Escolar Unificado de Santa Paula (SPUSD, por sus siglas en inglés) sigue ampliando sus esfuerzos para servir a las familias de la Comunidad de Santa Paula mediante sus programas de Educación Preescolar. El distrito tiene el gran placer de anunciar la creación de un programa preescolar público gratuito para niños del distrito que hayan cumplido los 3 años para el 2 de septiembre de 2022. Los centros preescolares se encontrarán en dos ubicaciones: Blanchard Elementary School y Barbara Webster Elementary School, y está prevista su apertura para enero de 2022. La escuela preescolar estará diseñada para preparar a los niños para nuestros programas de kinder y ofrecerá muchas actividades de enriquecimiento para que los niños crezcan y experimenten el mundo del arte, la música, el lenguaje, la ciencia y la tecnología. El SPUSD ha recibido financiación estatal para 160 estudiantes y con otras oportunidades de financiación tiene esperanza de servir a un número de niños mucho más alto.
Para el curso escolar 2022/23, el SPUSD continuará aceptando a todos los niños del distrito que hayan cumplido los 4 años para el 2 de septiembre de 2022 a sus Clases de Kinder de Transición, que operan en cuatro ubicaciones escolares: Glen City Elementary, Barbara Webster Elementary School, Grace Thille Elementary School y Thelma Bedell Elementary School. Glen City Elementary School ofrece tanto Kinder de Transición tradicional como un Kinder de Transición con Inmersión Lingüística Dual que proporciona educación bilingüe a los estudiantes en español e inglés. Además, el SPUSD ofrece un programa completo de kinder en todas sus escuelas elementales para los niños del distrito que hayan cumplido los 5 años para el 2 de septiembre de 2022.
Elvia Hernandez en el Santa Paula Times
Elvia Hernandez fue felicitada por su activismo entre bastidores en la Cena de Premios de la Cámara de Comercio de Santa Paula el 19 de mayo.
Hernandez recibió aplausos y alabanzas por su buen trabajo en beneficio de la comunidad, incluyendo ayudar a cuidar del bienestar físico y mental de los residentes conectándolos a servicios sociales, prevención/vacunación contra el COVID-19, el Censo, y colocación y derechos de vivienda.
Historias de Éxito desde San Diego
— “Apoyando Servicios Esenciales – Programa de Ayudas a Proveedores de Cuidado de Niños del Condado de San Diego,” YMCA del Condado de San Diego
— “Apoyando Servicios Esenciales – Programa de Ayudas a Proveedores de Cuidado de Niños del Condado de San Diego,” Asociados de Desarrollo Infantil
— “Programa de Vales para Cuidado de Niños de San Diego,” YMCA del Condado de San Diego
— “Impacto del Covid-19 sobre los Programas con Licencia de Cuidado de Niños,” YMCA del Condado de San Diego
“Resumen del Presupuesto Estatal 2022-23,” Asamblea del Estado de California
Recomendación de Libro “Impact Networks: Create Connection, Spark Collaboration, and Catalyze Systemic Change” (“Redes de Impacto: Crear Conexión, Activar Colaboración y Catalizar el Cambio Sistémico”), por David Ehrlichman
Header Image: “Oyster class visit Teacher Appreciation 26” by US Department of Education is licensed under CC by ND-2.0.