In celebration of Filipino American Heritage Month, we asked members of our staff to share a piece of their culture with us!

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked members of our management team to share what it means for them to serve the community. Responses were captured in both Spanish and English.

To kick off the new school year, Site Supervisor Stephanie Merlo shares her journey in early childhood education and when she first fell in love with the Izzi at Magnolia site.

John Fernandez was one of ten men in his San Jose State University Child Development graduating class of about 150. As one of few male figures in the field, he wanted to make a difference and change the status quo.

Former Izzi (then-IHSD) Head Start student Denise Cifuentes shares how she has come full circle now as Home Based Specialist and a career in education.

Having just crossed working 30 years as a milestone achievement, Izzi Early Education’s Developmental Services Manager Lupe Ibarra opens up about her career journey serving the community that she grew up in

F is for the Flores family and FDC! Huge shout out to this trio of mother and daughters, including our very own Izzi staff Krystal (left) and Yessenia (right), who completed the Family Development Credential (FDC) program together.

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.

Thrilled to share our first official feature as Izzi Early Education since our official launch last week, and thank you San Mateo Daily Journal for the spotlight!

After serving San Mateo County for over 37 years with quality child care programs and services serving families from infancy to Pre-K, the Institute for Human and Social Development (IHSD Inc.) now has a new name and look.

Imagine putting together a complex puzzle. You would typically start around the edges and build inward. These pieces are dark, confusing to put together, and represent all the struggles of 2020. While building towards the middle of the puzzle, the image starts to show a beautiful glowing aura, and the center shows IHSD’s Lakewood Head Start and Early Head Start team.

With very little advance notice to comply with the shelter-in-place order, IHSD followed the rest of the Bay Area and considered how to navigate uncharted waters. On Monday, March 16, IHSD quickly closed its 13 different child care program centers that serve nearly 700 children around San Mateo County. Despite needing to stay at home, IHSD teachers and staff worked diligently to consider how they would flip their infant-toddler, home-based visiting program, and preschool classrooms to support remote learning in order to remain connected with their families.

Izzi Stay at Home Stories.

It all begins with an idea.