pci

Dear Parents, Families, and Partners,

As the CEO of Parent/Child Incorporated, I am deeply honored to lead an organization committed to nurturing children and families' growth, development, and success across our community. We work tirelessly to empower children to achieve their full potential daily, providing parents and caregivers with the resources, support, and guidance they need to create thriving, healthy families.

At Parent/Child Incorporated, we believe every child deserves a strong foundation built on love, learning, and opportunity. Our programs are designed to ensure that children from all backgrounds have access to high-quality early education, and that parents have the tools and confidence to support their children’s development at every stage. Through our dedicated staff, innovative initiatives, and community partnerships, we strive to create environments where children can flourish, and families can thrive.

We know that the path to success is not always easy. We proudly provide a holistic approach integrating early education, family support services, and health and wellness initiatives. Our work is grounded in the belief that the well-being of children and parents is inseparable, and by addressing the needs of the whole family, we can break down barriers to success and create lasting change.

As we look to the future, we remain focused on ensuring every child has access to the tools they need to succeed and that every parent feels empowered and supported in their journey. We are inspired by the resilience, hope, and strength our families demonstrate daily, and we are committed to providing the programs and resources that help them reach their dreams.

Thank you for being a part of this important work. Together, we can continue to positively impact the lives of children and families for generations to come.

With gratitude and determination,


Dr. Sharon Small
CEO, Parent/Child Incorporated

 

The mission of Parent/Child Incorporated is to provide high-quality early childhood developmental and educational services in order to empower our children and their families to become responsible citizens who value education and community.

 

Our vision is to provide the highest-quality child development program for all eligible children using the Head Start / Early Head Start Model. This model empowers families, children, and staff by creating a caring, safe, and healthy environment that encourages learning and wellness.

 

We believe that to deliver services that change lives, we must remain constantly focused on the following values:

  • Excellence: setting levels of performance that go beyond the performance standards, constantly challenging every agency employee to step up to the next level.
  • Teamwork: the needs our families demand that staff work together across disciplines and cultural differences.
  • Respect: we will nurture the self-esteem and dignity of the Head Start/Early Head Start children and parents.
  • Diversity: We must respect and value differences for their power to create a stronger and more effective program.
  • Integrity: creates an atmosphere of trust where people can expect to be treated fairly.
  • Courage: the ability to embrace change, step out of our comfort zones, and grow both personally and professionally.


Dr. Sharon Small
CEO, Parent/Child Incorporated

Estimados padres, familias y socios,

Como CEO de Parent/Child Incorporated, me siento profundamente honrada de liderar una organización comprometida con el fomento del crecimiento, desarrollo y éxito de los niños y las familias en nuestra comunidad. Trabajamos incansablemente para empoderar a los niños para que alcancen su máximo potencial diariamente, mientras brindamos a los padres y cuidadores los recursos, el apoyo y la orientación que necesitan para crear familias saludables y prósperas.

En Parent/Child Incorporated, creemos que cada niño merece una base sólida construida sobre el amor, el aprendizaje y la oportunidad. Nuestros programas están diseñados para garantizar que los niños de todos los orígenes tengan acceso a una educación temprana de alta calidad y que los padres tengan las herramientas y la confianza para apoyar el desarrollo de sus hijos en cada etapa. A través de nuestro personal dedicado, iniciativas innovadoras y asociaciones comunitarias, nos esforzamos por crear ambientes donde los niños puedan prosperar y las familias puedan tener éxito.

Sabemos que el camino hacia el éxito no siempre es fácil. Con orgullo, ofrecemos un enfoque integral que integra la educación temprana, los servicios de apoyo familiar y las iniciativas de salud y bienestar. Nuestro trabajo se basa en la creencia de que el bienestar de los niños y los padres es inseparable, y al abordar las necesidades de toda la familia, podemos derribar las barreras hacia el éxito y crear un cambio duradero.

Mirando hacia el futuro, seguimos enfocados en asegurar que cada niño tenga acceso a las herramientas que necesita para tener éxito y que cada padre se sienta empoderado y apoyado en su camino. Nos inspira la resiliencia, la esperanza y la fuerza que nuestras familias demuestran a diario, y estamos comprometidos a ofrecer los programas y recursos que les ayuden a alcanzar sus sueños.

Gracias por ser parte de este trabajo tan importante. Juntos, podemos seguir impactando positivamente las vidas de los niños y las familias para las generaciones venideras.

Con gratitud y determinación,

Dr. Sharon Small
CEO, Parent/Child Incorporated

La misión de Parent/Child Incorporated es proporcionar servicios educativos y de desarrollo infantil de alta calidad para empoderar a nuestros niños y sus familias para que se conviertan en ciudadanos responsables que valoren la educación y la Comunidad

Nuestra visión es proporcionar el programa de desarrollo infantil de más alta calidad para todos los niños elegibles utilizando el modelo de Head Start / Early Head Start. Este modelo empodera a las familias, los niños y el personal creando un ambiente de cuidado, seguro y saludable que fomenta el aprendizaje y el bienestar.

Creemos que para ofrecer servicios que cambien vidas, debemos mantenernos enfocados constantemente en los siguientes valores:

Excelencia: establecer niveles de desempeño que superen los estándares de desempeño, desafiando constantemente a cada empleado de la agencia a dar el siguiente paso.

Trabajo en equipo: las necesidades de nuestras familias exigen que el personal trabaje juntos a través de disciplinas y diferencias culturales.

Respeto: nutriremos la autoestima y la dignidad de los niños y padres de Head Start/Early Head Start.

Diversidad: debemos respetar las diferencias y valorarlas por su capacidad de crear un programa más fuerte y efectivo.

Integridad: crear un ambiente de confianza donde las personas puedan esperar ser tratadas de manera justa.

Valor: la capacidad de abrazar el cambio, salir de nuestra zona de confort y crecer tanto personal como profesionalmente.

Dr. Sharon Small
CEO, Parent/Child Incorporated

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
History

Parent/Child Incorporated (PCI) History and Legacy

Founding and Incorporation
On October 27, 1978, concerned parents from the Head Start Policy Council, in collaboration with Mrs. Blanche A. Russ, advocated for independence from the Economic Opportunities Development Corporation (EODC). These parents took a courageous step by requesting EODC relinquish the Head Start grant. As a result, Parent/Child Incorporated (PCI) of San Antonio and Bexar County was born. The Articles of Incorporation were signed by three founding members: Ramon Carrillo, Magdalena Gonzales, and Evelyn King, and submitted to the Texas Secretary of State.

Transition to Grantee
The City of San Antonio became the interim grantee. On February 9, 1979, under Mayor Lila Cockrell, the city officially delegated the operations of the Head Start program to PCI. The organization began with 12 Head Start Centers, 800 children, 200 employees, and one station wagon. PCI soon evolved into a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3), chartered to provide educational and social services to low-income families.

Program Expansion
By 1981, PCI expanded services to an additional 400 children. In 1990, PCI launched a Parent Child Center for 106 infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. By 1996, this initiative became Wave I Early Head Start, serving 80 families. In 1998, it transitioned to support pregnant and parenting teenage girls. As of program year 2020-2021, PCI's Early Head Start Program, including Expansion and EHS-Child Care Partnerships, serves 416 infants, toddlers, and expectant families.

Innovation and Demonstration Projects
From 1991 to 1995, PCI led two federal demonstration projects: the Family Services Center Project and the Family Child Care Homes Project. These contributions significantly improved the national Head Start program.

Registered Family Day Homes & Nutrition Services
PCI pioneered the Region IX sponsorship of Registered Family Day Homes for the Child Care Food Program (CCFP), covering 12 counties. In 1991, PCI opened its first stand-alone Central Kitchen, which eventually expanded to seven kitchens and now maintains two. These kitchens support both PCI and other community childcare programs, including successful participation in the City’s Summer Feeding Program.

Leadership Transitions
In 2005, Mrs. Blanche A. Russ-Glover retired after 36 years of service (27 years as the CEO and Founder). Mr. Daniel M. Gonzales served as Interim CEO until Dr. Sharon Small was appointed CEO on September 25, 2006. A seasoned educator and San Antonio native, Dr. Small brought over 26 years of experience in public education to PCI.

Strategic Changes and Continued Impact
PCI ceased Head Start services as a delegate agency in 2009 but continued as an Early Head Start Grantee serving 128 families. PCI’s programs consistently achieved 100% compliance in audits and self-assessments.

Food Program and Community Partnerships
PCI’s CACFP program continues to expand, with contracts to serve Head Start children and childcare centers across San Antonio. PCI’s Day Care Homes Program partners with 120 providers in Region VIII, offering regular training and support.

Federal Monitoring Review Excellence
In March 2025, a federal monitoring review confirmed PCI's full compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standard in the FA1 Monitoring Review. In the 2021 Review, PCI was recognized as one of the top ten programs in the nation, validating the organization's strong management, accountability, and service quality. The FA2 and CLASS Reviews will be held in FY 2026.

Recognition and Dedications
To honor extraordinary contributions, PCI has renamed centers after dedicated individuals:

  • Adelina Fritz Child Development Center (2010)
  • Evelyn L. King Child Development Center (2011)
  • Terry O’Connor Early Learning Center (2016)

Recent Grant Awards and Initiatives

  • 2013: Awarded a Head Start grant to serve 476 children
  • 2015: Launched Early Head Start/Child Care Partnership program for 200 children
  • 2019: Received additional grant to serve 428 children (340 HS and 88 EHS)
  • 2019: Garden Gro Initiative launched at Fenfield Environmental Learning Center

Today and Beyond
PCI continues to innovate:

  • New headquarters on Mainland Drive
  • Social media-driven website and updated logo
  • Brady Environmental Resource Center
  • Technology van for digital access
  • Safety protocols and the Safety Hub at headquarters
  • Launch of Leadership PCI, a succession planning and leadership development program
  • Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
  • Transit vans for evacuations and field trips
  • Explore, Discover, and Play—Science Comes to Life at the Bandera Training Facility!

Commitment to Quality and Excellence
PCI consistently achieves 100% compliance in federal reviews (FA1, CLASS, FA2), CACFP, and agency-wide fiscal audits. Recognized as a Top Workplace in San Antonio (2021), PCI demonstrates pride, collaboration, and confidence in its mission.

Looking Ahead
PCI is committed to expanding services with a long-term vision of constructing four new Early Learning Centers across San Antonio. The organization continues to uphold its mission:

“To provide high-quality early childhood developmental and educational services in order to empower our children and their families to become responsible citizens who value education and community.”

PCI is truly “Growing San Antonio’s Tomorrow…Today!”