Meet Us

The Santa Monica Early Childhood Task Force, established in 1980 with the support of the City of Santa Monica, is a collaborative volunteer group working to enhance early childhood education. 

The Task Force consists of: 


We operate through two main groups: 


The Task Force is committed to expanding its reach and invites young parents and early education professionals to get involved. To join or learn more, email sm.earlychildhoodtaskforce@gmail.com or click HERE!

There is strength in numbers and we are eager to grow and develop the Task Force with the next generation of young parents and early education providers. 

Steering Committee

Gleam Davis, co-chair

Erika Bell, co-chair

Judy Abdo, former Mayor

McKenna Belgarde, past co-chair

Rocio Bravo, Providence/St. John's Health Center

Ivy Chang, City of Santa Monica

Jennifer Cowan, Connections for Children

Shari Davis, Santa Monica College, past co- chair  

Natasha Guest Kingscote, City of Santa Monica

Angela Herrera, Early Childhood Wellbeing Project

Betsy Hiteshew, retired SMC faculty

Louise Jaffe, former SMC Board Chair

Elda Lazaro, community member

Megan Kelly, community member

Sirinya Matute, community member

Pauline McPeake, Growing Place, past co-chair

Susan Samarge Powell, SMMUSD Child Development Services

Michele Sartell, community member

Ben Swett, Early Engagement 

Julie Taren, past Chair

Laila Taslimi, Untitled No. 1 School, past co-chair

Community Partners (past and present)

The Task Force and Santa Monica families are forever grateful for the extraordinary vision, persistence, and effectiveness of our pioneering leaders and early supporters, including Judy Abdo, Judith Brunk, Linda Gordon, Betsy Hiteshew, Iao Katagiri, Ellen Khokha, Joanne Leavitt, Irene Zivi, and others!