Serving More East Palo Alto Families
Izzi Early Education just opened its doors to serve more East Palo Alto families. As one of five center-based sites in the southern part of San Mateo County, Izzi at East Palo Alto now has a year-round toddler Early Head Start program with two new classrooms in addition to its quality Head Start preschool program.
According to a 2018 community needs assessment report, over 2,500 children in San Mateo County qualify for Early Head Start programs, yet San Mateo County has historically experienced an undersupply of subsidized child development spaces for low‐income families. With only enough spaces to serve less than 20% of the eligible Head Start and Early Head Start children in the county, Izzi can now increase access to child development services for much-needed families.
“Opening Room C for our toddlers in East Palo Alto has been a dream for our community,”
“With a limited number of programs in the county that serve infants and toddlers,” Executive Director Angel Barrios explains, “it’s an honor to be able to serve more families.”
Izzi already has infant and toddler programs located in north (Izzi at South San Francisco), mid-county (Izzi at Lakewood), and coastide (Izzi at Moonridge). Izzi at East Palo Alto’s new Early Head Start classroom is a first for the organization to serve the south-county community with toddler care.
“The opening of an Early Head Start classroom at EPA is the fulfillment of years of planning and dreaming. We had a vision to have birth-5 [years old] care in all parts of the county and this is the first big step in that direction,” said Director of Operations Jennifer Pifeleti. “We are so excited for the opening of this classroom and to be able to offer care for toddlers in East Palo Alto.”
Early Head Start is just of three different education service models offered. Izzi believes that every child and every family deserves access to high-quality early childhood education. Its comprehensive early care, education, and family services ensure that all children, regardless of circumstances, get the care they need, where they need it.
Izzi at East Palo Alto’s new toddler program will immediately serve 8 families in its one of two new classrooms and looks forward to serving another 8 families in the near future.
“Opening Room C for our toddlers in East Palo Alto has been a dream for our community,” said Site Manager Mattie Cramer. “Thank You Izzi Early Education for bringing life to our dreams.”
The grant opportunity was funded by Early Head Start Expansion and approved by the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Izzi wants to also thank Silicon Valley Community Fund (Marie Russell Grant) for providing the agency start-up funds.
