We’re excited to welcome Yvette Sanchez Fuentes as vice president of national policy at Start Early and the Educare Learning Network!
In this role, Yvette will lead the organization’s national strategy to advance both the Start Early policy agenda and the Educare Five, and strengthen partnerships with peer organizations and federal agency staff.
Yvette is a nationally recognized early childhood expert who has been influential in helping drive effective policy and practice change at multiple levels. She has dedicated her professional career to understanding how policy, research and implementation impact lifelong outcomes for young children and their families struggling with adversities, including low-income families, migrant and seasonal farm workers, immigrant communities, American Indian and Alaska Natives, and dual language learners.
Most recently, Yvette served as the Associate Secretary for the Delaware Department of Education. Her extensive work in the field includes former positions as deputy chief for policy and research at Child Care Aware of America, president of the National Alliance for Hispanic Families, and the director of the federal Office of Head Start within the Department of Health and Human Services.
“Yvette’s depth and breadth of experience will undoubtedly shape and catalyze the National Policy Team as they work closely with partners to advance policy priorities,” says Kristin Bernhard, senior vice president of advocacy and policy at Start Early. “We are thrilled to have Yvette supporting the Educare Learning Network in centering equity, parent and provider voice, and research evidence in policy solutions.”
