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Policy Council Head Start Program Meeting

March 25, 2026 · Maricopa, AZ
Source: Meeting minutes 2026-03-25 (PDF, 8 pp)
Retrieved April 14, 2026 from www.maricopa.gov ↗
Confidence: 98%
High

Attendees

Toni Sesselman (Policy Council Chair)
Angela George (Early Head Start member)
Aria Moore (Early Head Start member)
Alejandrina "Ali" Gomez (Early Head Start member)
Kristen McLaughlin (Early Head Start member)
Crystal Slater (Early Head Start member)
Kendall House-Madrid (Early Head Start alternate)
Destiny Cano (Early Head Start alternate)
Shareli Romero (Early Head Start alternate)
Edgar Madrid (Early Head Start alternate)
Andrea Edmonson (Head Start Chandler-Gilbert member)
Cheyenne Silveria (Head Start Chandler-Gilbert member)
Richard Whitemore (Head Start Tempe-Guadalupe-Scottsdale-West Valley member)
Merceydes Moreno (Head Start Tempe-Guadalupe-Scottsdale-West Valley member)
Luisa Santana (Head Start Tempe-Guadalupe-Scottsdale-West Valley alternate)
Andrea Ramirez (Head Start Mesa member)
Amy Lozano (Head Start Mesa member)
Samantha LaFollette (Head Start Mesa member)
Stephanie Caballero (Head Start Mesa member)
Abril Anduaga (Community Representative)
Juan Aristizabal (Community Representative)
Alma Ramirez (Community Representative)
Eddie Casillas (Community Representative)
Marcy Flanagan (Board of Supervisors Liaison)
Mattie Lord (Deputy Director)
Siman Qaasim (Head Start Director)
Jackie Thatcher (Partnerships Manager)
Susie Marquez-Munoz (Manager)
Maryann Galaviz (Manager)
Tamara Bridwell (Human Services Director)
Deserie Hightower (Child Development Support Coordinator)
Lou Anne Liguz (Health Coordinator)
Doug Alf (Grant Accountant)
Maureen Mason (Consulting Nutritionist)
Linda Roldan (ERSEA Specialist)
✓ Present: 35/35

Decisions

#1

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

#2

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

#3

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

Agenda Items

#3

Board of Supervisors’ Liaison Report

Marcy Flanagan provided an update on current activities of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors

#4

Head Start Directors Report

Siman Qaasim and Mattie Lord provided key program updates and highlighted recent accomplishments and reporting enhancements

#5

Approvals

Approval of the 5-Year Grant Application, February 2026 Financials, and February 2026 Meeting Minutes

#7

Program Service Overview

Overview of program services, including Early Childhood Program, ERSEA, Family and Community Partnerships, Health Services, and Child Development Support

#8

Member Reports

Policy Council leadership provided updates on efforts to strengthen engagement and governance

#9

Call to the Public

No comments from the public