October is Head Start Awareness Month: a time to celebrate one of the nation’s most impactful programs for children and families. In this episode, we’re joined by Luis Bautista, Executive Director of LACOE’s Head Start program; Dr. Ruth Pérez, LACOE Deputy Superintendent and proud Head Start alum; and Dr. Maribel Garcia, Superintendent of El Monte City School District and also a Head Start alum.

Together, they reflect on how Head Start goes far beyond the classroom—providing health services, social-emotional and mental health support, family resources and strong community connections. They discuss the current political climate and what it means for the program, as well as the long-term impact of Head Start in setting children up for success. Dr. Pérez and Dr. Garcia share their own journeys from Head Start students to becoming two of our County’s top education leaders, proving the program’s power to transform lives and strengthen communities.

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About Let Me Add to That: An Education Podcast

Nearly 2 million students and 80 school districts make up the Los Angeles County education system – as you can imagine, the experiences, the success and the challenges vary from district to district as it does student to student. The Let Me Add to That Podcast, presented by the Los Angeles Office of Education will feature education experts including superintendents, administrators, teachers and students themselves who will highlight various hot topics that the county faces on a day-to-day basis. Let Me Add to That is titled and modeled after the inclusion of different perspectives, experiences and challenges. New episodes will be released on the first Wednesday of every month.

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