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The Voice of Tribal Child Care in California!
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A key founder and grassroots contributor to the Tribal Child Care Association of California. Kim was a TCCAC Board of Director for more than 10 years and Co-Chair & Chair up until she became the Executive Director in April 2022. Kim worked for 20 years as the Director of the Colusa Indian Community Council, Tribal Early Learning Center in Colusa, CA. She co-owned and directed a private early learning center for 8 years. Kim was a National Indian Child Care Association Board of Director for more than ten years and served as both Chair and Secretary of the Board. Kim is a member of the Tribal Early Childhood Research Center Steering Committee, Dimensions Research Foundation Board of Director, World Forum Foundation Board Advisor, World Forum on Early Care and Education, Global Leader and Global Leader Indigenous Cohort Regional Coordinator, and is a commissioner and past president for First 5 California, Colusa. Kim has dedicated her adult life to serving in the field of Early Care and Education, and Tribal Child Care administration, policy, practice, and advocacy. Kim is also a proud mother of four and the grandmother of two beautiful boys.
Jennifer McGowan (Jenni) is the Program Operations Director for the Tribal Childcare Association of California (TCCAC). She oversees the development and implementation of Tribal Child Care quality initiatives for TCCAC as the grantee for Quality Counts CA Region 11. Through her projects as a World Forum Global Leader for Young Children participant she began working with TCCAC on voluntary projects to support the understanding of cultural competencies and equitable practices for tribal early learning and care. Jenni began her work in Tribal Early Learning and Care at Pinoleville Native American Head Start and Early Head Start as the Program Director for just over a decade. She graduated from the University of Memphis in Tennessee. Soon after graduation she began her career in education as a teacher for children with exceptional learning needs in middle school and high school grades. Her dedication to children and families is to continue to seek understanding of diverse needs and barriers through listening directly to community, family, and individual voices and advocating by their side for equitable opportunities for all children. Jenni lives at her home in Ukiah, CA. She stays busy with her 4 sons, two dogs, and 4 chickens. She focuses on wellness through yoga, meditation and prayer, reading, writing, and anything that brings joy and laughter. She is a certified Breathe for Change and Yoga for the Special Child instructor.
Sara Zapata serves as the Workforce Advisor for the Tribal Child Care Association of California (TCCAC). She has been engaged in Tribal communities since 2016 and formerly held the position of Program Manager for the Redding Rancheria Head Start & Child Care in Redding, California. Sara holds a master’s degree in business management and leadership, and her undergraduate degree is in education. With over 25 years of experience in education and social work, as well as being a business owner, Sara is a dedicated lifelong learner. In 2020, she furthered her education to become a Certified Holistic Nutritionist. Additionally, she is a certified instructor in Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building Practices for Educators through the Center for Optimal Brain Integration. Throughout her career, Sara has focused on serving families and children. She resides in Northern California, enjoys hiking, and spending time in nature, and has two adult children.