Dear ECE Families:
This has been a challenging time for our community. In recent weeks, we have heard from many concerned families and want to provide an update, including preventative and proactive actions we are taking to address important operational and safety matters in ECE.
Protecting the wellbeing of children in our care is our utmost priority. Along with the following measures, we continue to actively work with our community and law enforcement on ways to advance the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and community.
- We are reviewing ECE systems, policies, practices, and employee training as they relate to minors on campus. ECE has engaged Praesidium – a national leader in abuse risk management – to support our efforts with additional staff training. On Friday, March 15, Praesidium conducted scenario-based training for ECE staff, providing attendees with an understanding of child abuse in a university and early childhood setting. This session included training on how offenders operate, identifying red-flag behaviors, and best practices when interacting with minors.
- Praesidium has also been hired to conduct a gap analysis and assessment of the department as part of its work for ECE. This work includes a comprehensive review of our current policies and procedures to help us identify areas to minimize and address the possibility and risks of abuse.
- The UC Police Department (UCPD) is overseeing an independent security assessment at all three ECE centers – Krieger, University Village, and Fernald. Once completed, feedback will be provided to ECE administration on best practices, including an assessment of the need for additional cameras and security officers.
- We continue to review with UCLA our processes and procedures for human resources matters.
In addition, we continue to assess the most effective ways to provide timely and accurate updates to the ECE community while being mindful of privacy. Previously it was stated that we would evaluate ways to make information from the Town Hall available. Since then, we have provided multiple updates to address questions raised during the Town Hall, to correct misstatements, and to share recent developments. To protect the privacy of parents and minor children identified during this session and avoid confusion from incorrect and out-of-date information, materials from the Town Hall video will not be released. The ECE website will continue to be updated with the latest information, messages, available resources, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Keeping our ECE community safe is our utmost concern. We sincerely appreciate the patience and support of our wonderful ECE community during this challenging time.
Sincerely,
Tina and Tashon
Christina (Tina) Christie, PhD
Wasserman Dean & Professor
UCLA School of Education & Information Studies
Tashon McKeithan, EdD
Executive Director
UCLA Early Care and Education
