LEIGH CARLSON HERNANDEZ

Talented Early Childhood Development and Education professional with a focus on Human Services, emphasizing family-centered approaches and community engagement. Demonstrates a proven record in Human Services and early childhood practice, ensuring equitable access to early childhood services. Possesses a background in staff supervision and the implementation of mental health strategies within educational frameworks, with expertise in child development, trauma-informed practices, and continuous quality improvement aimed at enhancing educational outcomes.

• Early Childhood Professional Credential (Level 6 – Large Center Director) Colorado Shines Quality Rating and Improvement System
• Colorado Association of Infant Mental Health (COAIMH) IMH-E® Infant Health Mentor-Policy Endorsement (in process)

National and Regional Conferences

"Train the Trainer Parent Leadership and Advocacy for Change through Empowerment (PLACE) Curriculum"
University of Maryland Training Institutes, Washington D.C. | July 2018
Institute and Poster Presenter

"Engagement, Empowerment, and Sustaining the Family and Parent Voice in Project LAUNCH"
SAMHSA Project LAUNCH, Rockville, MD | June 2016 and 2017
Panelist

State and Local Presentations

"Parent Leadership and Advocacy for Change through Empowerment Pilot Project"
Parents as Teachers Conference, Grantville, PA | May 2017
Panelist

"Recognizing and Developing Parent Leadership and Advocacy"
Center for Schools and Communities Webinar | May 2018
Presenter

"Wake Up the Vote: Increasing Voter Engagement"
Family Engagement Conference, Harrisburg, PA | October 2017
Presenter

"Using a Peer Mentor to Connect, Understand and Engage Parents in School Settings"
Institute for Educational Leadership Family and Community Engagement Conference, Pittsburgh, PA | June 2016
Presenter

"Birth to Three Early Intervention Services"
Disability and Mental Health Summit, Mt. Lebanon, PA | March 2014 and 2015
Panelist

"Warning Signs of Suicide and Fighting Stigma in Mental Health"
Disability and Mental Health Summit, Mt. Lebanon, PA | March 2014 and 2015
Panelist

"Parent Perspective on Childhood Trauma"
State Representative Miller's Community Conversations that Matter, Pittsburgh, PA | November 2015
Panelist

Professional Training Series

"Wake Up the Vote: Increasing Voter Engagement"
United Way of Southwestern PA - Be There Attendance Corp Training, Pittsburgh, PA | January - April 2018
Presenter

"Wake Up the Vote: Increasing Voter Engagement"
Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group, Pittsburgh, PA | May 2018
Presenter

Current Board and Committee Service 

Confluence Early Childhood Education Coalition | Leadership Team | 2024-present

Garfield County Human Service Commission | Appointed Member | 2024-present

Eagle, Garfield, and Pitkin County Interagency Oversight Groups (IOG)  for the County Collaborative Management Program | Member | 2024-present

Previous Service

Colorado Home Visiting Coalition | Board of Directors, Early Head Start Representative | 2022-present

Pennsylvania Early Learning Council | Appointed by Governor Tom Wolf | 2018

Head Start Ideal Learning Network | Vice President and Committee Lead for Family Engagement | 2022-2024

Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children | Interim Board Member | 2023

Pennsylvania Project LAUNCH Young Child Wellness Council | Co-Chair | 2014-2018

Pennsylvania Early Childhood Mental Health Advisory Committee | Co-Chair and Committee Lead | 2008-2013

Washington County PA Children's Task Force | Family Support Representative | 2016-2018