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Early Learning Community Task Force

Our Mission & Goals

The mission of the Laguna Beach Early Learning Community Task Force is to provide relevant and meaningful learning opportunities for parents of children 0-5 years old and early learning professionals in order to improve children’s readiness for kindergarten and beyond. Our goals include: identifying community needs and addressing resource gaps, creating awareness of available community resources, offering parent education sessions to support early childhood development, school readiness skills, and family wellness, as well as providing provider education events to increase the skills of those working with our 0 to 5 population.

Members of the Community Task Force

  • Alexis Braun, Sr. Recreation Supervisor, City of Laguna Beach
  • Ali Rowley, Assistant Director, Laguna Presbyterian Preschool
  • Anne Herzog, Director, Laguna Presbyterian Preschool
  • Belen Guillen, LMFT, Licensed Marriage, and Family Therapist
  • Cherie Frances-Boegeman, Occupational Therapist, LaunchPad OT for Kids
  • Christian Prietto, Speech and Language Pathologist, Infinity Kids
  • Cristina Belvins, Consultant with First 5 Orange County
  • Cynthia Rodriguez, Child Development Community Liaison, Help Me Grow OC
  • Deepa Somasundaram, Director, Montessori School of Laguna Beach
  • Elizabeth O'Grady, LCSW and ECMH Consultant, Start Well
  • Elizabeth Plumb, Director of Education, The Sunshine School
  • Irene White, Director of Special Education, Laguna Beach Unified School District
  • Jonathan Navarrete, Preschool Director, Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach Preschool
  • Josh Hilliger, Regional Manager, Lakeshore Learning
  • Kasey Covarrubias, Librarian, Laguna Beach Public Library
  • Katie Bond, Laguna Beach Parents Club
  • Kim Johnson, Director of Early Learning, Laguna Beach Unified School District
  • Krystle Newquist, Program Director, Montessori School of Laguna Beach
  • Lynn Epstein, Speech and Language Pathologist, Laguna Beach Language and Speech Clinic
  • Mazneen Hassim, Assistant Director, Montessori School of Laguna Beach
  • Nadejda Hickam, Branch Manager, Laguna Beach Public Library
  • Pam Talarico, retired Teacher, and Grandparent
  • Sandy Avzaradel, MS, Director of the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program- Start Well
  • Sarah Galliver, Director of Operations, The Sunshine School
  • Teri Ller, Director of Community Clinical Outreach at CHOC 
  • Wendy Bana, Director, Anneliese School
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