Strong Start

Who We Are Strong Start is a coalition of community leaders, early education providers, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, members of the business community, and other key stakeholders who are committed to expanding access to high quality early learning opportunities for all children age 0 to 8 in Santa Clara County. The coalition looks for local, state, and national solutions to help increase access to high quality early education and conducts advocacy efforts at the state level to encourage increased investments in early learning. Strong Start is an initiative of the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) and builds upon the strong leadership of its many partners in the field of early education. Our Mission To ensure that all children age 0 to 8 in Santa Clara County have access to high quality early education opportunities. Our Objectives Increase public understanding of the importance, economic impact, and community benefits of high quality early learning programs; and Increase support and expansion of access to high quality early learning programs for all children in Santa Clara County for at least two years prior to kindergarten. Leadership Team Mary Ann Dewan, Ph. D. Interim County Superintendent of Schools Santa Clara County Office of Education Mike Wasserman Supervisor, District 1 Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Derrick Seaver Executive Vice President San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce Jolene Smith Chief Executive Officer FIRST5 Santa Clara County Erica Wood Chief Community Impact Officer Silicon Valley Community Fund Convened in 2012, the coalition has looked for local solutions to help increase access to high quality early education and conducted legislative advocacy efforts at the state level to encourage increased investments in early learning. Strong Start builds upon the strong leadership of the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) and its many partners in the field of early education. The SCCOE is the largest early learning provider in Santa Clara County, offering a variety of programs for young children, families and districts, including Head Start, Early Start and State Preschool, which prepare students for kindergarten and academic success throughout school.  Strong Start’s partners include the Santa Clara County Board of Education, Local Early Education Planning Council (LPC) of Santa Clara County, San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, First 5 Santa Clara County, the Health Trust, United Way Silicon Valley, Kidango, League of Women Voters, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Kids in Common, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, SV2, Mountain View Whisman School District, Family Engagement Institute, the Office of Congressman Mike Honda and the Office of Santa Clara County Supervisor Joseph Simitian. https://www.sccoe.org/newsandfacts/201415%20News%20Releases/news051215-2.pdf