Our Team

---

Chair:  Ron Downey

Vice-chair:  Simon Schroeder

Treasurer:  Chris Zundel

Secretary:  Joan Wilson

Member:  Zac Hays

Executive Director, Rick Farrell

Certified K-8 teacher and Masters in Public School Administration

Bear Valley teacher 28 years

Administrator of Childcare, Kaitlyn Christopher

Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Art and Psychology, Minor in Children's Mental Health

CYC-P 

3 years as Bear Valley Administrator of Childcare

Assistant Administrator of Childcare, Meagan DeBenedetto

Bachelor of Science

CYC-P

Lead Childcare Associate, Justin Canady

BVCA/SACC Team for 16 years

Bear Valley Graduate

The Bear Valley Community Association Board of Directors administers Bear Valley Community Association School Age Child Care Program (SACC). Program operation and quality is the responsibility of the Administrator of Childcare who works half time hands-on with children and staff and half time in the office managing operations. The Assistant Administrator has a key role in guiding and maintaining program quality, meets the Administrator qualifications (per MOA licensing code) and is designated in charge when the Administrator is off site or not in the office. The Lead Child Development Leader works directly in the program and is designated in charge when the Administrator and Assistant Administrator are off site or not in the office. 

Our staff ratio is one staff person per ten children in all program areas inside the school building and outside on the playground. Program staff remain in close proximity to the children at all times both on field trips and during regular program days. When we leave the building for a field trip, we try to have one staff person per 5-7 children. Substitute staff that meet the required qualifications are called when regular staff are not able to attend. Volunteers are encouraged to participate, but are not counted in the staff ratio. All volunteers must meet required qualifications per MOA licensing. Our goal is to provide a successful and stable service for the Bear Valley community.

We recruit staff members with attributes, experience and education that complement our team. Likely people are those with backgrounds in recreation, child care/education, physical education, art and music. New staff members undergo a 4-hour orientation and are guided by established staff members. Staff members also take a 6-hour Health and Safety Orientation as well as a Mandated Reporter Orientation, per MOA licensing requirements. Staff meetings and 25 hours of annual training enable all staff to meet mandatory training requirements (per MOA licensing code plus our own standards) and enhance their professional development. Training includes CPR and First Aid, Kitchen/Food Handling and Nutrition, plus child development and appropriate activities, etc. If you would like to see a complete list of mandatory training, just ask the Administrator for a copy.