Caring for children right from the start
Director: Tara Matus, M. A.
I have a Master's Degree in General Psychology and in Clinical Psychology; next year I will be earning my PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on multicultural community psychology. My focus has been early childhood from 0 to 5. To that end I have worked in a kindergarten in East Los Angeles, Crescent Heights and in South Los Angeles. I design programs and have put together a student volunteer program at North Hollywood High School's Highly Gifted Magnet program.
I enjoy the opportunity to contribute to our community by working in the inner city of South (central) Los Angeles. For the last two years I have worked for the Children's Collective, which has 10 preschools in the area.
I have been both in the classroom and working one on one as a therapist with the preschool children. I was part of a team who secured a grant from First 5 LA and through that grant we are educating non-licensed childcare providers in the latest research on child care and development. This education focuses on positive parenting techniques, attachment philosophies, and culturally inclusive childcare techniques. I have also instituted a play therapy intervention at a preschool, and a therapy program for women and children who are homeless. If the latest grant is funded, next year I will be part of a team implementing the attachment and positive parenting practices we utilize at Geae's Children at preschools in South Los Angeles.
My dissertation research is looking at the symptoms of trauma and their treatment in the preschool children. The incidence of children living in poverty is so high in south LA, any service we can give these women and children are sorely needed.
Our full time infant teacher, Sylvie, has 7 years experience in preschool education and works in the infant class. She has a college degree in Childcare Service from the College of Vieux in Montreal, Canada and also has a background in nursing. We are very fortunate to have her. She is calm, competent, and has a passion for children. She also speaks French!