Lead Planning Team

Oakland Starting Smart and Strong is made up of community groups, early childhood educators, school district, city and county leaders, all connected by a shared commitment to create a strong foundation for Oakland’s youngest children. Our staff holds the collaboration and drives shared progress towards our goals.

2019 Retreat

2018 Retreat

The Lead Planning Team represents the wide range of organizations and community leaders working to create high-quality health and early learning opportunities for every Oakland child. The Lead Planning Team sets the direction for our work and facilitates strategic connections and partnerships.

Kym Johnson, Co-Chair
Christie Herrera, Co-Chair
 
Our committees include:
Executive Committee
Data Committee
Communications Committee
ROCK Committee
Policy & Advocacy Committee
Early Learning Symposium Committee
​Oakland/Alameda County Family Child Care Policy Program
 
Lead Planning Team Members:
Aleja Rambonga
Oakland Unified School District (OUSD)

Alisa Burton
City of Oakland, Head Start

Angela Louie Howard
Lotus Bloom Family Resource Center

Anna Gruver
Alameda County Public Health Department

Anna Luna
The Hellman Foundation

Bethtina Woodridge
Lotus Bloom Family Resource Center

Bernadette Sangalang
David and Lucile Packard Foundation

Betsy Merzenich
The Hellman Foundation

Carla Keener
First 5 Alameda

Christie Herrera
OUSD Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Clarissa Doutherd
Parent Voices Oakland

Dana Cilono
The Kenneth Rainin Foundation

Dawn Edwards
Lotus Bloom Family Resource Center

Diveena Cooppan
City of Oakland, Head Start

Drew Giles
OUSD Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Erika Takada
Engage R+D

Jennifer Cabán
City of Oakland | City Administrator's Office

Julie Hadnot
Alameda County Interagency Children's Policy Council (ICPC)

Katie Harkin
David and Lucile Packard Foundation

Kristin Spanos
First 5 Alameda County

Kym Johnson
BANANAS

Lisa Erickson
Center for Healthy Schools and Communities

Lisa Forti
First 5 Alameda County

Maria Sujo
Oakland Unified School District (OUSD)

Melanie Moore
Oakland Thrives

Pecolia Manigo
Bay Area PLAN

Pedro Arista
The Hellman Foundation

Priya Jagannathan
Oakland Starting Smart and Strong

Robyn Levinson
City of Oakland, Head Start

Sanam Jorjani
Oakland Literacy Coalition

Susan Jeong
Alameda County Office of Education

Tanisha Payton
Parent Voices Oakland

Vanessa Cedeno
First 5 Alameda