Elva Mendoza is a CDA Scholar, a Family Child Care Provider and is in the process of becoming a Quality First participant home.
She has been working as a home provider and caring for her children for over 20 years.
Her story first began when her daughter was two years old and Elva saw how much her children needed her.
Her daughter and her three other biological children asked their mom to stay home and not leave them for long work hours. Torn between needing to work but also wanting someone there for her children, Elva left her children with a family member.
However, Elva noticed that there were no age appropriate materials or toys to help her children developmentally.
This inspired Elva to attain her license in the state of Washington and to have her family home for 6 years.
She later moved with her family and obtained her license in Arizona.
Elva researched how to improve her situation and found a grant that helped her improve her yard and purchase materials for her group home.
Elva shared that she feels fortunate because she found a program, Empoderamiento (Empower), that has opened her mindset.
Elva really appreciates her coach and shares that this person has motivated her and given guidance in areas such as taking computer classes, opening up a group home, and registering for the CDA Scholarship!
Elva started the CDA CCEI Pathway in January and shared that she is focused and determined to achieve her goal of completing the courses in 6-9 months.
Elva also shared that the CDA is a benefit that has greatly impacted her.
She feels it will help her to grow and learn many new things. The courses have given her the confidence to implement the new strategies and ideas into her routines with the children in her care.
Elva’s daughter has also applied for the CDA scholarship and the two of them are planning on working together in the group home.
They shared that they would like to continue their education and attain their AA after they complete the CDA.
Elva would like to get a degree in Early Childhood Special Education and her daughter would like to get her degree in Early Childhood Education and a related field.
Elva shared that the registry has been helpful and is glad her daughter supports her with navigating the registry.
In the end, Elva shared that when she completes the CDA, she would like to take her incentive money and take a small vacation and put the rest towards her group home.
The post Elva Mendoza: A CDA Scholar Success Story appeared first on Arizona PBS.
She has been working as a home provider and caring for her children for over 20 years.
Her story first began when her daughter was two years old and Elva saw how much her children needed her.
Her daughter and her three other biological children asked their mom to stay home and not leave them for long work hours. Torn between needing to work but also wanting someone there for her children, Elva left her children with a family member.
However, Elva noticed that there were no age appropriate materials or toys to help her children developmentally.
This inspired Elva to attain her license in the state of Washington and to have her family home for 6 years.
She later moved with her family and obtained her license in Arizona.
Elva researched how to improve her situation and found a grant that helped her improve her yard and purchase materials for her group home.
Elva shared that she feels fortunate because she found a program, Empoderamiento (Empower), that has opened her mindset.
Elva really appreciates her coach and shares that this person has motivated her and given guidance in areas such as taking computer classes, opening up a group home, and registering for the CDA Scholarship!
Elva started the CDA CCEI Pathway in January and shared that she is focused and determined to achieve her goal of completing the courses in 6-9 months.
Elva also shared that the CDA is a benefit that has greatly impacted her.
She feels it will help her to grow and learn many new things. The courses have given her the confidence to implement the new strategies and ideas into her routines with the children in her care.
Elva’s daughter has also applied for the CDA scholarship and the two of them are planning on working together in the group home.
They shared that they would like to continue their education and attain their AA after they complete the CDA.
Elva would like to get a degree in Early Childhood Special Education and her daughter would like to get her degree in Early Childhood Education and a related field.
Elva shared that the registry has been helpful and is glad her daughter supports her with navigating the registry.
In the end, Elva shared that when she completes the CDA, she would like to take her incentive money and take a small vacation and put the rest towards her group home.
The post Elva Mendoza: A CDA Scholar Success Story appeared first on Arizona PBS.