First 5 Contra Costa is pleased to announce and welcome Dr. Arash Daneshzadeh as the new Early Childhood Program Officer.
Dr. Daneshzadeh has 20+ years of experience advancing educational equity and public health and brings a strong commitment to addressing social inequities and education access. He is a certified organizational coach, a trauma-informed systems specialist, and in his most recent role, provided capacity-building strategies and tools for agencies that serve historically-marginalized children and families.
Over the last 10+ years he has taught classes on early childhood, creating equitable organizational leadership, and inclusive campus environments across Bay Area universities, including at the Graduate School of Education at the University of San Francisco and Stanford. He serves as chair or co-chair for numerous Bay Area community and advocacy organizations and coalitions with his focus on school sanctioned inequities, healing-centered pedagogy, and supporting traumatized children grappling with systemic violence.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Arash Daneshzadeh, who began his new role on December 16. His knowledge of trauma-informed systems and strong academic background in education and restorative justice, and vast experience working in partnership with BIPOC and marginalized groups, including the refugee community, will help us further our mission to ensure our county’s young children are healthy, ready to learn, and supported in safe, nurturing families and communities.