What We Look for During Observations
Before any child is enrolled in our program, we do something simple. We show up.
Cecelia Paniagua, our Program Director, and our staff spend time in classrooms, on playgrounds, and in lunchrooms at schools across Coachella Valley Unified and Desert Sands Unified School Districts. The goal isn't to observe from a distance. It's to become part of the environment so children can just be themselves.
"We observe and engage with the youths in their classroom, recess and lunch time. We sit in their classroom and help them with their math, words, writing and get a feel for their academic needs. We play red light green light at recess and observe their social skills, we try and become part of their environment so we can observe them be as natural as possible." — Cecelia Paniagua, Program Director
Before each visit, Cecelia and her team talk with teachers, counselors, attendance clerks, front desk staff, and family liaisons to build as full a picture as possible. Sometimes it's a staff member outside the classroom who holds the most important piece of a child's story. During one visit, a conversation with a school principal led to the discovery that a referred student's sibling was actually facing greater challenges and would benefit more from the program. Because of our two-generation model, the whole family would be supported either way.
What we look for isn't a checklist so much as a portrait. We notice the child who knows the answer but won't raise their hand, the one who eats lunch alone, the one whose emotions feel too big to manage on their own. These aren't signs of failure. They're signs that a child could use a steady, caring presence in their life.
"I have the opportunity to observe the children prior to enrollment. See them in their vulnerable state, in need, facing struggles, but slowly I see them start their friendship with their Friend and transition those struggles into growth. I have been lucky enough to see the days, weeks and months go by and observe as the Friend's efforts and dedication to the youth and family blossom into a beautiful trusting relationship." — Cecelia Paniagua, Program Director
Once observations are complete and a child moves to final consideration, we turn our attention to their family. Read about how we introduce our program to parents and guardians.