Meet Our Presenters
Wassy Tesfa is the executive director of Head Start. In this capacity, she oversees Pacific Clinics’ early education programs including Head Start, Early Head Start, Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships and state preschool. An advocate of early education, Tesfa sits on the board of directors for the Region 9 Head Start Association where she served as chairperson for a number of years. Presently, she co-chairs the public policy and government affairs committee. Tesfa is a UCLA Johnson and Johnson Fellow and a National Head Start Fellow, where she spent a year at the Office of Head Start in Washington DC. She is also a certificated negotiator from Harvard University. Tesfa received a master’s degree from Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany.
Nina Paddock, MPH, RD, is the comprehensive service manager for Pacific Clinics’ Head Start/Early Head Start program. She oversees the health, nutrition, varying abilities and mental health services for the program and its child care partnership programs. Additionally, she ensures performance standards, licensing and county regulations are met. Paddock is a registered dietician and adjunct professor for Glendale Community College. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in public health with an emphasis in nutrition.
Maria D.J. Gonzalez is a child care partnership manager for Pacific Clinics’ Head Start/Early Head Start program. She has been with the organization for seven years and is responsible for managing 28 partnerships in seven different service areas throughout the Los Angeles Region. Additionally, she manages the budget for the partnership program and ensures licensing requirements are met at all partner sites. Previously, she served as service area supervisor for Options for Learning where she supervised employees and 10 child care sites. Gonzalez earned a bachelor’s degree in child development from the University of La Verne and a master’s degree in leadership in education and human services from Pacific Oaks College.
Head Start
Pacific Clinics’ Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide early education and childcare for children birth to 5 years of age and prenatal and parenting support to more than 600 children in Los Angeles County. Our program sets the foundation for success in school and life. Our highly trained and caring teachers engage children in discovery through fun, age-appropriate activities in a safe and nurturing environment. We provide high-quality services such as early science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) thinking skills, nutritious eating and healthy habits and independence and communication skills. Additionally, we provide parent engagement and home-based education for parents and caregivers to create family action plans and provide additional resources. To promote overall health and wellness, we offer access to medical and dental services to all students. Our Head Start/Early Head Start programs are free for income-eligible families.
Please register below by Monday, July 18
Zoom Conference instructions will be sent with your registration.
For questions, please email or call us at (626) 254-5057.
