Department of Early Childhood Family Voice Council Members
My name is Aliria Bello, and I have been living in the United States for 24 years, with 20 of those years in Colorado, including a decade in Denver. Originally from Venezuela, I am a mother of two, a son and a daughter and a grandma of two precious boys, and I am deeply committed to supporting families and children in my community.
I was inspired to join the CDEC Family Voice Council because I believe that parents and caregivers should have a strong voice in shaping early childhood policies and programs. I have seen firsthand the barriers that many families face, especially those from immigrant and marginalized communities, and I want to advocate for equitable access to early childhood education and family support services.
On the CDEC Family Voice Council, I hope to amplify the voices of diverse families, particularly Spanish-speaking and immigrant parents, ensuring that their needs, experiences, and insights inform the policies and programs that impact them. I am committed to advancing culturally responsive and inclusive approaches to early childhood education and care.
I am passionate about community engagement, civic leadership, and equity in education. I believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and I am honored to bring my experience and perspective to this important work.
Hello, my name is Briana Anthony, and I’m a mother of four children, aged 2, 7, 10, and 11. Two of my daughters are on the autism spectrum—one also has ADHD, and my youngest was born with a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). My advocacy journey began in 2021, towards the end of the pandemic, when I noticed that my non-verbal daughter wasn’t developing at the same pace as her peers.
After seeking answers from my pediatrician, I learned my daughter was on the autism spectrum. Upon receiving this diagnosis, I faced various challenges, including a well-meaning but discouraging comment from a friend and a lack of clear direction from my doctor. With limited information, I reached out to The Resource Exchange and quickly relocated my family from Texas to Colorado, despite losing my job and discovering I was pregnant.
Since then, my life has revolved around supporting my children through therapies like ABA, speech, physical, and occupational therapy, while managing a full schedule. Over time, I realized my second daughter also showed signs of being on the spectrum, expanding my responsibilities as an advocate and caregiver. Although the journey is demanding, it has brought immense benefits to my children. Looking ahead, my goal is to complete my Master’s degree to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and continue advocating for change. I also aim to become actively involved in policy discussions and join councils to ensure my voice is heard.
My name is Donna Salvador and I am a Family Voice Council Member with CDEC. I have served on the council for 1 year and a half. I have 30 years of experience in early childhood and I am currently enrolled in a Master’s program for Special Education in Early Childhood at Colorado University Denver. I have been married for 32 years and have three children and 4 grandchildren with one on the way. My work at the council is important to me because my children, grandchildren, and community all need a voice. The advocacy and leadership training I receive through the council help me to be that voice for my family and community. I look forward to meeting everyone and sharing the work we do.
Elizabeth Greene is a former Early Childhood Educator turned stay at home mom to an almost 6 year old son, residing in Peyton. Elizabeth has been involved in caring for children since she was 15 years old. Her son will be starting public preschool in August. She was inspired to apply for the CDEC Family Voice Council because she loves to work with children and wants to help their families and them have the best lives possible, while making the future better for them. Her goal is to bring more awareness of the available programs to the community, as well as advise on programs that will best serve the children and their families. In her spare time Elizabeth enjoys developing recipes and teaching her son to cook.
Ezra Ekman is a single father of a 7-year-old daughter who lives with him near the intersection of Denver, Thornton, and Federal Heights. They have both participated in numerous assistance programs in Colorado, including Early Intervention Services, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Colorado Works, CCCAP, and a 504 plan for his daughter, along with college grants and scholarships. Ezra has been a passionate advocate since his early teens, volunteering at both local and national organizations throughout his life, and has been the recipient of several awards due to his advocacy.
The CDEC Family Voice Council is an opportunity for Ezra to help others navigate what can often be a confusing and challenging maze of rules and regulations by offering ways for Colorado Residents to more easily find free and accessible programs they can utilize to provide their families and children with a wide range of resources, options, and chances for success. As the father of someone facing developmental disabilities including autism and ADHD, and having faced challenges with ADHD throughout his own life, Ezra is also passionate about finding and sharing reliable information on treatment and support options for others facing cognitive, developmental, and mental health challenges.
Ezra hopes to offer his knowledge and experience to help the CDEC Family Voice Council make each of these resources available to a wider audience. Ezra is currently a full-time student in pursuit of a degree in Education and Human Development with the goal of spreading knowledge and support throughout the community even further. In the meantime, Ezra enjoys discovering new ways to help his daughter find adventure and wonder in Colorado day.
Jody L is a single mother of 3 children and one grandchild. Jody has a Bachelor's degree from Naropa University and studied Early Childhood Education for her minor. Jody is currently on the Diversity Equity, Inclusivity Committee,a past member of the Participant Advisory Committee and has served on the board for the organization EFAA, Emergency Family Assistance Association. EFAA's mission is to "provide stabiling services, innovative programs, and transformational advocacy to strengthen families and create thriving communities."
Jody's family has participated in the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) and other assistance programs. As a member of the CDEC Family Voice Council, she hopes to provide advice on some of the struggles that may present for families using assistance programs and those that are in need but may choose not to take part. She was inspired to join to help the process become more accessible for other families in need. In her spare time Jody likes working on arts and crafts projects with children, taking day trips and cooking.
Latisha Hobley is a dedicated Colorado native whose passion for community service shines through in everything she does. As a proud mother of four children, two of whom have special needs, and a grandmother to six, Latisha has firsthand experience navigating various support systems like the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), Early Intervention (EI), Preschool Special Education Program, Individualized Education Plans (IEP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Childcare/Preschool services.
Her journey has deeply inspired her to serve as a member of the Family Voice Council, where she brings her wealth of lived experience to advocate for families and help simplify processes for those in need. Latisha’s work with the Council is rooted in her desire to foster unity and open dialogue within communities, aligning perfectly with the values and vision of the Family Voice Council.
Beyond her advocacy, Latisha finds peace and joy in nature, using the outdoors as a way to recharge and stay connected to the world around her. Grateful for every opportunity to give back, Latisha remains a beacon of light for others, always striving for the greater good of her Community.
Maggie D. is a mom of three, ages 5, 3, and 1 who lives in Kremmling, Colorado. As a parent, she has participated in the UPK program, Early intervention, IFSP, and IEP services. She is excited to give a voice to children and their families living with disabilities, as her son Henry has Down syndrome, as well as represent a rural area of Colorado. She brings knowledge as a Registered Nurse and Licensed Child Care Health Consultant. Her goal is to increase knowledge and access to the great resources Colorado offers to families of young children. Maggie enjoys playing volleyball, reading, enjoying the beautiful mountains of Colorado, and cheering on the Rockies and Nuggets.
Matthew G. is a father of a 7-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son living in Thornton. He works as a research engineer at a medical device company and previously ran a small business in Boulder. His family relies on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to ensure his neurodiverse child receives the necessary support in school. As a member of the CDEC Family Voice Council, he advocates for parents of neurodivergent children in Colorado.
Matthew was inspired to join the council after witnessing how difficult it can be for parents to navigate available resources and understand how to use them effectively. Through his own experience securing the right support for his children, he saw firsthand how challenging yet essential the process can be. His goal is to help CDEC raise awareness about programs that support neurodivergent children and their families, guide new initiatives to be more flexible and accessible, and learn about additional ways to serve the broader community. In his spare time, he enjoys DIY projects and working with his hands as much as possible.
Michelle Denae is a local Chicana, mother, student, and servant to her community. As one of the organizers of Families of Color Colorado, she helps facilitate a space where children and their families can share experiences and advocate for each other as a group. Most recently she served on the Police Oversight Task Force for the City of Boulder, working alongside community members and the department to build accountability and equity for officers and civilians in kind. In her free time, she is on her bike, camping with her boys, or working on their first children’s book.
Natalie S. is the adoptive mom of an infant. She is a learning consultant who lives in Wheat Ridge. Natalie’s family uses family child care. As a member of the CDEC Family Voice Council, she speaks for adoptive parents, mixed-race families, and those who use informal child care. She was inspired to join the council by her desire to contribute to her community and to support Colorado’s policies and programs for young children and their caregivers. Natalie has a background in education, having worked as a third-grade teacher, youth mentor, preschool media writer/producer, and education researcher. She holds a PhD in education from Johns Hopkins University.
My name is Sierra Maestas. I live in Center, Colorado and am a San Luis Valley Native. I have children 10, 7, and 2 years old. My family and I participate in Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start, WIC, and formally Safe Care. What inspired me to join the CDEC Family Voice Council was to be involved in my community but at the state level. What I hope to accomplish on the CDEC Family Voice Council is to be a voice and advocate for my community and break down some of those barriers that might be in the way of families having the best possible outcomes. I would like to share that I am passionate about everything I am involved in and I truly care about families and their success in being able to be most equipped with resources to cultivate self-sufficiency.
I am a wife and mother of two children, ages 8 and 15, and have always been passionate about helping others advocate for themselves and their families. Supporting others comes naturally to me, but learning to advocate for myself was a journey that taught me the value of having one's voice heard and truly listened to. I believe it’s crucial not only to be heard but for that voice to lead to real action. Joining this coalition allows me to help amplify my voice, ensuring it is not only heard but acted upon. In my free time, I love swimming, camping, and spending time outdoors. I’ve also recently gotten into baking, with a special focus on perfecting my sourdough bread—yum!