First 5 Nevada Family Leadership Council
To learn more about parent leadership and engagement, contact:
Anna Villatoro
Family Leadership Coordinator
702-825-8978
avillatoro@childrenscabinet.org
Nevada Strong Start Child Care Services Center (CCSC) – Reno
961 Matley Lane, Suite 110, Reno, NV 89502
Ashley Dines
Parent Leadership Coordinator
702-764-4968
adines@childrenscabinet.org
Nevada Strong Start Child Care Services Center (CCSC) – Las Vegas
1771 E. Flamingo STE 200B, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Family Leadership helps strengthen families, promotes children to be successful and creates positive change in the systems that serve and support children and families.
The First 5 Nevada Family Leadership Council is here to ensure parents and families of young children have both leadership and decision-making roles in early childhood system. This can include the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and resources to support equitable access to programs and services for the prenatal to age eight population. We are excited to start executing the work for our families here in Nevada and look forward to the amazing support of our community in order to achieve these goals.
Now more than ever “Parent and Family Leadership” is a key to serving our communities and YOU can be involved by:
- Talking with your community leaders
- Having an open forum with your neighbors
- Calling and emailing your legislators
WATCH
Explore the vital role of family leadership in shaping Nevada’s early education system with one of our parent leaders.
Our incredible Northern Nevada Family Leaders discuss the importance of family leadership within Nevada’s early childhood system. They share valuable insights on empowering parents and caregivers.
Engage
The First 5 Nevada Family Leadership Council meetings take place once a month and last for about two hours. For further information, please contact Anna or Ashley. These are the monthly training menus for the year. These trainings are subject to change.
Nevada’s Early Childhood System/Nevada ECAC (January)
- Provided insights into Nevada’s early childhood system and fostered collaboration with Nevada ECAC.
Legislative 101 (February)
- Educated participants on legislative processes and advocacy strategies to enact positive change.
JEDI: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (March)
- Integrated principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion into program activities to create an inclusive environment.
Public Speaking 101 (April)
- Conducted workshops to enhance public speaking abilities, empowering participants to effectively communicate their ideas.
Advocacy 101 (May)
- Provided training sessions on advocacy fundamentals to equip participants with essential skills.
Open Meeting Law (June)
- Educated participants on Open Meeting Law regulations to ensure transparency and compliance.
Advocacy 101 Train-the-Trainer/Legislative 102: Advanced training on legislative processes and strategies, empowering participants to advocate more effectively (July)
- Equipped selected participants with the skills to conduct Advocacy 101 sessions independently, expanding our reach.
Advanced Open Meeting Law (August)
- Provided advanced training on Open Meeting Law to deepen understanding and compliance.
Policy (September)
- Explored policy development and analysis, enabling participants to engage in policy advocacy efforts.
Advocacy Project (October/November)
- Collaborated on advocacy projects to address pertinent issues in the community, promoting parent leadership.
Get In Touch
Our Partners
The council has had the honor and privilege to work with the following partners and organizations:
- Asian Community Development Council (ACDC)
- DAD INC.
- Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy
- Children’s Advocacy Alliance (CAA)
- Act4Kids Nevada
- Head Start
- The Office of Early Learning and Development (OELD) in the Nevada Department of Education
- T.E.A.C.H.
- Department of Health and Human Services
- United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra
- Parent Leader Network
- Candelen
Meet The First 5 Nevada Family Leadership Team
Ashley Dines
Ashley Dines is a Las Vegas native and passionate about Parent leadership and advocating on behalf of our children in Nevada. She has been emerging in advocacy efforts through many spaces. “I wanted to create a better world for my children and realized I was changing the lives of others also” Ashley plans to continue to support children and families with purpose and lifting others up. Ashley has engaged with several organizations rising from the Policy Council at Acelero Head Start to working with Prevent Child Abuse Nevada, Experts on Poverty and so much more!
Anna Villatoro
Anna is currently working as the Family Leadership Coordinator at The Children’s Cabinet. She is a passionate advocate for mental health and has recently obtained a Certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Family Leadership from Georgetown University. This program has provided her with the skills and knowledge necessary to sensitively and effectively interact with children and families as a community health worker. In her previous roles, Anna has served as an Early Childhood Community Health Worker in Southern Nevada and has been a part of the Strong Start for Children Parent Ambassador program. Anna enjoyed her time volunteering for Books and Buddies at Spread The Word Nevada, as well as mentoring for Women Who Create and the Summer Business Institute (SBI).
Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in English and minor in Digital Technology and Culture from Washington State University (WSU). She was enrolled in the TRIO program that provides support services to low-income students and first-generation college students. This experience has instilled in her the desire to advocate for individuals who have similar backgrounds.
