First 5 Orange County is excited to announce the hiring of two new members: Cristina Blevins and Michaela Martin.
Cristina was hired as a Program Officer for Early Learning and Engagement, while Michaela was hired as the Policy and Government Affairs Manager.
Cristina has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. She has a true passion for the development of young children, evidenced by her experience in the early childhood field. She has been a classroom teacher for PK-Grade 5, a Program Director for various programs including: Head Start, State Preschool, dual immersion, and fee-based early education, and most recently a consultant for First 5 OC supporting the Engaged Neighborhoods and other initiatives. Cristina is dedicated to ensuring that children have a strong foundation for successful lifelong learning and development.
Michaela was born and raised in rural Oregon. Despite dropping out of high school and later becoming a single mother, Michaela graduated from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Speech Communication and a minor in Psychology. She further persisted and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of La Verne. Michaela is passionate about the economic and educational advancement of families and continues advocating to foster pathways of success for others. Michaela’s experience has included serving as a Student Parent Advisor with Ascend at the Aspen Institute, and sitting on the Family Advisory Committee for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Her policy efforts have included Oregon Senate Bill 564 — the first of its kind to require colleges and universities to collect and report on the enrollment and graduation rates of student parents.
Welcome to the team, Cristina and Michaela!