Family Ambassadors

Tiffany participates in the Kid Builders group and the Cross-sector Child Care Task Force.

Dr. Ortiz specializes in working with children and families. She has extensive training working with the birth to five population and hoping to provide more expertise in early intervention and prevention services. Dr. Ortiz currently works at El Centro De Amistad in Los Angeles County, and also works in a private practice in Orange County. Her experience working with diverse populations and her multicultural approach to understanding families, attachment, and community function has helped her better connect with her clients.

Dr. Ortiz brings to the Cross-Sector Child Care Task Force her professional training  and knowledge working with young children as well as lived experience having two children under the age of 5 and the utilization of child care. When Dr. Ortiz is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, having lots of in-the-moment dance parties, swimming, and loves hearing major belly laughs with her boys.

Tiffany helps promote First 5 OC Kid Builders to different audiences including diverse cultures and neurodivergent children, along with creating videos of current activities, and proposing new activities.

Paola participates with the Family Centered Resource Fair.

Paola Diaz is the mother of one daughter and three sons. She also has two grandchildren.

Paola has lived in the city of Santa Ana for 30 years. She has been a volunteer mother at her children’s school as well as a volunteer in different organizations. Paola worked as a community worker for an  organization for 10 years within the Santa Ana school district.

Paola is passionate about helping the community in different ways, including how to navigate the resources that families might need. Her participation in First 5 is to build a community where everyone feels empowered to contribute their talents and perspectives to create a more equitable and sustainable environment for all.

The Family Centered Resource Fair group has identified communities that are not served by existing resource fairs and would benefit from support, as shown through the Early Development Index.

Josh participates in the First 5 OC Kid Builders group and the OC Fatherhood Coalition.

Josh Hayes was raised in a military family and lived in various parts of the U.S. and the world before settling with his wife and 3 boys in Orange County. He works full-time as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for a private ambulance company and is a full-time Graduate Student pursuing his Masters in Sport & Performance Psychology.

As a Family Ambassador at First 5 OC, Josh wants to connect and help other Fathers by providing assistance and guidance in fatherhood while also learning about the fatherhood experience of Fathers across Orange County.

Josh helps promote First 5 OC Kid Builders to different audiences including diverse cultures and neurodivergent children, along with creating videos of current activities, and proposing new activities.

Jasmine participates in the First 5 OC Kid Builders group and the Cross-sector Child Care Task Force.

Jasmine Henry was first introduced to First 5 OC when searching for programs to enrich her firstborn’s infancy through socialization and play. She is forever grateful for the impact local community resources have made on her motherhood experience. 

As a working mom, Jasmine understands the need for having trustworthy childcare. She believes in the importance of community; and understanding the perspective of parents in the modern world. Jasmine enjoys connecting with other parents who are also learning and growing with their own children. She understands there are many hurdles to tackle in parenthood and believes there is a lot of potential to support each other.

Jasmine helps promote First 5 OC Kid Builders to different audiences including diverse cultures and neurodivergent children, along with creating videos of current activities, and proposing new activities.

Wendy participates with the Family Centered Resource Fair.

Wendy Lemus is a mother of two who’s all about making a difference in the lives of children and families. Her journey began with the Kern County Migrant Ed Program, where she helped organize community events to promote kids’ health and education. Helping families understand the resources available in the community, regardless of their status, is her passion.

She works in Orange County with children diagnosed with autism, providing ABA therapy to help those children reach their full potential and support their families along the way.

As a Family Ambassador, Wendy advocates for early childhood development and supports families in the community. Wendy believes in the power of community involvement and is dedicated to creating a positive impact in her city.

The Family Centered Resource Fair group has identified communities that are not served by existing resource fairs and would benefit from support, as shown through the Early Development Index.

Nekoda participates in the First 5 OC Kid Builders project.

Nekoda is business owner, artist, mother of three young children, and a parent advocate.

She experienced a postpartum mental health crisis after her first baby was born in 2018. She has since used the experience to fuel a strong passion for advocating in the community for the support that new parents need.

She has spoken at large and small events to advocate for parents and share her experience, as well as worked in a consulting role to help community programs build needed resources and connect parents to them.

Nekoda helps promote First 5 OC Kid Builders to different audiences including diverse cultures and neurodivergent children, along with creating videos of current activities, and proposing new activities.

Chloe participates with the Kid Builders group and the Family Centered Resource Fair.

Chloe is a mother of four boys. Her youngest son has autism.

Chloe serves on the Head Start Policy Council and Executive Board, is the economic captain at Zero to Three, and has visited Washington, DC, to advocate for Early Head Start and Economic Security.

She is passionate about helping and giving back to her community, and she serves on the PTA Board and is the Parent SELPA representative for the La Habra City School District.

She and her family enjoy going to the beach, hiking, exploring, and going to the park.

The Family Centered Resource Fair group has identified communities that are not served by existing resource fairs and would benefit from support, as shown through the Early Development Index.

Chloe helps promote First 5 OC Kid Builders to different audiences including diverse cultures and neurodivergent children, along with creating videos of current activities, and proposing new activities.

Hector participates in the Cross-sector Child Care Task Force.

Hector is an actively engaged community member, known for his commitment for enhancing the well-being of his neighborhood. As a proud husband and father of four children, Hector brings a deeply personal and passionate perspective to his community involvement. His experiences as a parent have enriched his understanding of the diverse needs of families, and he is dedicated to advocating for their well-being and development.

Residing in the vibrant City of Anaheim, Hector is a hospitality management professional and currently works as a housekeeping manager. He takes great pride in contributing to the exceptional experience that Anaheim offers to both residents and visitors alike.

Hector is enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to the mission of First 5 OC, working collaboratively to support families and children in the area. His vision for this work is rooted in creating an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment where every family can thrive. Hector is excited to bring his expertise, dedication, and community spirit to this role, and looks forward to making a meaningful impact.

Sydney participates in the Family Support Task Force.

Sydney is a single mother to two daughters.

She currently works as a Parent Mentor assisting parents in the reunification process, and aiding parents with extra support and encouragement.

Sydney helps parents navigate local community resources and helps parents get connected with resources to meet their specific needs.

The Family Support Task Force is a supports system involved with families with substance use issues and is assisting with developing a countywide Family Wellness Plan (previously known as Plans of Safe Care) that ensures a comprehensive medical, mental health, and social services response to families in need.

ZhiWen participates in the OC Fatherhood Coalition.

ZhiWen Tan is the CEO and founder of MCT Technology, a leading provider of early education and care technology solutions that has revolutionized the industry by connecting and empowering over 8,000 programs nationwide.

With a passion for innovation, ZhiWen steers the company’s product vision and technical strategy. His primary focus lies in product development, where he excels in shaping and implementing advanced systems for child care subsidy programs.

ZhiWen’s leadership extends beyond the professional sphere; he is a dedicated family man, residing in Orange County with his wife, Cecilia, and their two daughters.