ECS Announces New Board President and Welcomes New Board Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ECS Announces Megan Costello as New Board President
and Welcomes New Board Members
Ana Lozano, Masada Ellis, and Shana Medley

 San Diego, CA – Jul. 20, 2023 – Episcopal Community Services is pleased to announce the promotion of Megan Costello from Board Secretary to Board President and the appointment of Ana Lozano, Masada Ellis, and Shana Medley to its Board of Directors. Each of these professionals brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to our board.

July 2023.

 Megan Costello brings more than 15 years of experience in building and scaling teams within SaaS – Software as a Service – companies across diverse sectors, including healthcare, social media, education, and nonprofits, which will provide a strong foundation for her new role. Known for her unwavering dedication to social causes, Costello has been actively involved with political campaigns and the San Diego chapter of the International Rescue Committee.

 Ana Lozano, a seasoned professional in the healthcare industry, has dedicated her career to supporting underserved communities in San Diego County. With more than seven years of experience at Molina Healthcare of California, Lozano is adept at forging community connections and addressing the needs of low-income families. Her commitment to enriching lives is reflected in her current role as a community representative for the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs Policy Committee for ECS.

Masada Ellis is a vibrant force in the arts and business sector. The CEO of NotApologeticStudiosLLC, Ellis combines professional expertise in finance, shipment management, and database programming with a powerful passion for music. An advocate for individuality and self-expression, Ellis not only contributes to the community as a chess instructor for elementary school children but also holds the chairman position for several parent committees, including NHA, ECS, and Zamorano Elementary School.

Shana Medley brings to the board her extensive experience in integrated marketing, event management, public relations, and business development. As the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Century Club of San Diego, she is instrumental in the success of the city's annual PGA TOUR event, the Farmers Insurance Open. Her career spans diverse industries, and in addition to her professional pursuits, Shana's personal passion for sports and fitness brings an energizing dynamic to any role she serves.

"We're incredibly excited for Megan’s presidency and for Ana, Masada, and Shana to join our board," said Elizabeth (Fitzsimons) Wilberg, ECS’ Chief Executive Officer. "Their expertise and commitment to community service will undeniably strengthen our board with new insight and innovation.”

Megan Costello, the newly appointed board president, added, "Our board is full of passionate individuals from all parts of San Diego County who are committed to making our community a place where all people can thrive, and I'm excited about what lies ahead for us this year."

Please visit www.ecscalifornia.org/leadership to learn more about our new board members and the impactful work of ECS.

Media Contact:
Adrienne Wilkerson
ECS Communications Director
awilkerson@ecscalifornia.org. ###

ECS Recognized at SDBJ 40 Under 40 Awards

SAN DIEGO — On July 18, the San Diego Business Journal (SDBJ) held its award ceremony for its 40 Next Top Business Leaders Under Forty 2023 awards. The 40 Under 40 awards highlighted the next generation of leaders, change-makers, and innovators in the San Diego community.

ECS was thrilled to have three finalists make SDBJ’s list; Rosa Cabrera-Jaime, Director of Early Education & Family Services; Leslie Manriquez, Para Las Familias Program Manager; and Angel Ibarra, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships & Government Affairs, who was also selected as one of the Top 40 Under 40 award winners!

Congratulations to our outstanding finalists and winner. ECS is proud to have such talent within our organization, and we look forward to seeing these professionals continue to thrive in their careers and inspire community change.

Angel Ibarra, Assoc. Director of Strategic Partnerships & Government Affairs, poses with his 40 Under 40 award. July 2023.

(From left to right) Leslie Manriquez, PLF Program Manager; Stacie Perez, VP of Programs; Angel Ibarra, Assoc. Director of Strategic Partnerships & Government Affairs; Rosa Cabrera-Jaime, Director of Early Education & Family Services; and Tim Whipple, Development Director at SDBJ’s 40 Under 40 award ceremony. July 2023.

A Healthy Collaboration with Community Doc Talks

Head Start families engage with Community Doc Talks’ lessons. *July 2023.

SAN DIEGO — Over the past academic year, the ECS Early Head Start/Head Start Home-Based program has collaborated with Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego and the San Diego Regional Center, which allowed us to extend our resource base and offer vital training to our Head Start families.

Among the most prominent initiatives in this partnership is the Community Doc Talks program, a health education initiative catered to families with under-resourced children aged 0-5. Volunteer pediatricians from Rady’s are brought directly into the communities they serve, fostering a deeper understanding of the unique challenges these families encounter in their pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.

The Community Doc Talks program addresses key child health issues, including sleep, health and oral health, physical activity, conflict resolution, bonding, nutrition, and parental support. The volunteer clinicians lead interactive discussions in a lively, engaging environment to build parental trust and boost their confidence in their child interactions and parenting skills.

San Diego Regional Center and ECS Early Head Start Home-Based Staff at the 4th and D Center May Socialization. May 2023.

Additionally, Doc Talks functions as a bridge, connecting families with local resources tailored to meet their health, social, and behavioral needs. It employs a “train the trainer” philosophy, wherein our Home-Based staff received specialized training on the curriculum. They were also equipped with 70 children’s books, curriculum copies, handouts, and short educational videos from Rady’s pediatricians.

Alongside our work with Rady’s, the San Diego Regional Center contributed to the Early Head Start May Socialization event by offering the students developmental evaluations. This initiative led to 11 students being referred to Early Intervention Services, reinforcing the value of this collaboration.

Moving forward, the Early Head Start/Head Start Home-Based program is committed to strengthening ties with various community partners to enhance the resources and opportunities available to Head Start families, ensuring they receive the best support. Visit Head Start & Early Head Start — Episcopal Community Services (ecscalifornia.org) to learn more about ECS Head Start.

*Caption date may not be accurate

A “Head Start” Toward Success

DiMaggio, former Head Start student, receives his diploma from Wagner College. *May 2023.

SAN DIEGO — Before entering the Head Start program, Yanina and her son DiMaggio were trying to get by. They needed resources to help their situation, especially regarding DiMaggio’s education. “My son was at daycare before he started the program,” Yanina said. “Little to nothing was about learning or education.” Luckily, after two years of non-nurturing childcare, Yanina’s family found their way to ECS Head Start. DiMaggio was a Head Start student for three years, and “once he started kindergarten, he was ready and always wanted to learn more,” his mother shared. Yanina expressed how Head Start “helped our son excel in his scholastics and gave him a strong foundation while making learning fun.” 

Now DiMaggio is leading a successful and fulfilling life. He landed scholarships, graduated magna cum laude, and is pursuing his CPA degree. His mother believes that Head Start set DiMaggio up for success and is proud of their participation in the program. One of Yanina’s granddaughters is currently attending Head Start, and she already sees how the program is giving her a strong foundation and setting her on a trajectory of success, just like it did for her uncle.

Heidi Avent (third from left), Family Engagement Specialist, and Rosa Cabrera-Jaime (fourth from left), Director of Early Education and Family Engagement, enjoy themselves with other Head Start staff. September 2022.

Head Start offers quality childcare, education, and wraparound services through Center-Based and Home-Based programs. Rosa Cabrera-Jaime, ECS’ Director of Early Education & Family Services, discussed the quality childcare that ECS provides. “Our classrooms are smaller in ratio, so we really connect and develop relationships,” Cabrera-Jaime stated, explaining how the teachers and staff ensure that “our children are ready, not just academically, but socially and emotionally.”

The program creates a trajectory of success for students and their families. “Head Start is known for removing barriers from families so they can return to the job force,” Cabrera-Jaime explained. One example of this success is Heidi Avent, a former Head Start parent, and the program’s current Family Engagement Specialist. Avent had two sons go through the program, and when they enrolled, she became a volunteer. Now, she’s been working with Head Start for nearly 30 years. “It feels like I haven’t worked a day in 26 years,” Avent said. “I feel like I’m going to my family. That’s what it’s been to me all these years.” Avent expressed her appreciation for how the program helped her learn to advocate for her kids and equip her with the necessary resources.

Montgomery Head Start students play, learn, and grow during class. May 2023.

One of the most significant advantages of Head Start is the resources that assist families like Yanina’s and the Avents. Head Start cares for and educates its students, but the support offered by the program goes further than that. Many who qualify struggle with issues such as accessing healthcare, food, and shelter, finding services for children with disabilities, or combatting domestic violence. Head Start also has many clients receiving public assistance, in foster care, recently migrated, or first-generation U.S. citizens. Wraparound services such as family and community engagement programs, parenting education, child developmental screenings, services for children with disabilities and pregnant women, behavioral health services, and referrals help these difficult situations. 

Yanina shared how helpful these resources were for her. “I’m so grateful and glad I was part of the ECS family,” said Yanina. Heidi Avent certainly reciprocated the feeling. “[Head Start] benefited our whole household,” she said. “They equipped me with the tools to become a better person and parent.” Avent finished off her story by stating, “Head Start works. They broke the cycle of poverty in my family.” Now she is helping do the same for thousands of other families.

Head Start is free for qualifying families. Eligibility includes CalFresh/SNAP recipients, CalWORKs/TANF recipients, SSI recipients, Foster/Kinship families, families experiencing homelessness, and low-income families. The program is available to children ages 0-5, and additional services are offered to pregnant women. “As soon as the mom becomes pregnant, that’s when the education begins, and we work with those parents from prenatal to age five,” Cabrera-Jaime explained.

Head Start is one of several community-based programs offered by ECS. To learn more, visit ecscalifornia.org. 

*Caption date may not be exact.