Message The year of building a strong foundation for our future Annual Report 2023-2024 Parents In Community Action PICA’s Annual Report can be accessed by the public at www.picaheadstart.org/
1 OUR HISTORY AND COMMUNITY Founded in 1969 by a group of concerned parents, Parents In Community Action (PICA) is a private nonprofit agency serving as the federal Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) grantee for Hennepin County, Minnesota. From our humble beginnings—serving under 200 children in donated space scattered throughout the community—PICA has grown to serve almost 2,000 young children and their families in 13 state-of-the-art early childhood family development centers located strategically throughout Hennepin County. Our HS and EHS programs offer comprehensive services; PICA empowers children and families to achieve their goals and become self-sufficient, contributing community members. Our comprehensive approach to service delivery sets us apart from other early childhood education providers by focusing not only on the child but on the entire family, strengthening parent-child bonds, and working together to help all family members reach their full potential. In addition to operating our HS and EHS programs, PICA frequently develops new programs and services in response to changing family and community needs. By addressing these changing needs, we seek to bolster our community and contribute to the overall well-being of its residents.
2 TRAINING CENTER AND LAB SCHOOL COMPLETELY RENOVATED In the past year, PICA opened its Training Center and Lab School! This development has increased our capacity to train more parents, address the staffing shortages in our agency, and provide localized training resources for workforce development. PICA’s Lab School classrooms, located at our Training Center, bridge PICA’s existing EHS, HS, and EHS-Childcare Partnership classrooms at La Crèche Early Childhood Centers. La Crèche teachers receive intensive training at the Lab School while working under the guidance of experienced teachers from PICA. We are thrilled to start expanding and enhancing our regular practices at this location!
3 FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR We are incredibly proud of the strides PICA HS has made in 2024. This year has been marked by innovation, resilience, and deepened partnerships with our families and communities. We’ve expanded our services to support the specific needs of PICA children and families, enhanced our curriculum to foster holistic development, and continued to incorporate equity into our programming. We have welcoming, state-of-the-art facilities in which to serve our children and families, and we have completed the renovation and expansion project that will allow us to train more parents, staff members, and community members in our Training Center and Lab School. These accomplishments reflect the hard work and dedication of our team and the trust of the families we serve. Despite these achievements, however, we must never become complacent. Our children and families have shown great strength and resiliency in the face of unprecedented challenges. Community Assessment data shows that numerous children need high-quality early childhood education services and parents seek job training. At PICA, we celebrate our accomplishments and the privilege of witnessing the successful transformations of our children and families. - Rico Alexander, Executive Director
4 PICA CHILDREN We serve a racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse population of young children and their families, who are also among the poorest and most vulnerable in our community. Like all children, they are also enthusiastic, curious, and motivated to learn! The ultimate goal of PICA’s HS program is to prepare children for success in school. Toward this goal, we provide young children with individualized learning experiences that help them acquire the cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills they will need when they enter kindergarten. We also help them develop language and literacy skills in English as well as in their home language. Our New World curriculum incorporates best practices from the research-based Creative Curriculum® and the research-based High/Scope Curriculum and is designed to help children gain the specific knowledge and skills they will need for school success. Our outcomes-based assessment process makes use of best practices from the nationally recognized, research-based Teaching Strategies GOLD® assessment tool. We assess children’s progress three times per program year—fall, winter, and spring—to gauge progress toward established kindergarten readiness benchmarks. We also provide on-site support services such as Early Childhood Special Education, play therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy to ensure that each child has the best possible opportunity to learn and to be successful when they graduate from HS and enter kindergarten. Hennepin County, Inc. The year of building a strong foundation for our future
5 From 2023 to 2024, PICA was funded to serve 1,834 children and their families; we were funded to serve 496 infants and toddlers and 1,338 preschoolers. PICA’s average monthly state and federal enrollment is 98%. PICA has a cumulative enrollment of 2,257 enrolled children. This year, 603 proud HS graduates are headed to kindergarten! Fourty-nine percent or 1,112 of the children PICA serves are from families that speak a primary language other than English in their homes.49%Fourty-five percent or 1,008 of the childrenPICA serves are learning another language in addition to English.45%Thirteen percent or 284 of the children PICA serves have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and are eligible for special education or early intervention services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).13%
6 PICA’S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PICA provides a number of unique, comprehensive programs to meet the needs of low-income children and families in Hennepin County, Minnesota. PROGRAM OPTIONS HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS PICA’s HS program promotes school readiness and provides children three to five years of age with comprehensive services to promote their cognitive, physical, and social-emotional growth and development. Our locally designed approach to service delivery provides an array of program options to meet families’ unique and changing needs. PICA’s EHS program provides children six weeks to two years of age with the same comprehensive services as those provided in HS and offers a locally designed array of EHS program options to meet families’ individual needs. Our EHS program also offers individualized services and support to low-income pregnant women and their partners to promote healthy pregnancy, birth, and post-partum outcomes. EHS - CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM PICA’s EHS – Child Care Partnership program with La Crèche Early Childhood Centers, Inc. was established to strengthen collaborative ties between EHS and childcare and to increase the overall quality of childcare services provided. Children six weeks up to three years of age receive comprehensive EHS services on-site at La Crèche, and partner staff members receive ongoing training, mentoring, and support from PICA.
7 SERVICES EDUCATION EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PICA provides early childhood education services and individualized instruction that promote school readiness and help each child prepare for success in kindergarten and beyond. HS AND EHS LAB SCHOOL CLASSROOMS PICA’s Lab School, housed in PICA’s Early Childhood Family Development Workforce Training Center and Lab School, serves as an innovative hands-on training ground for new PICA teachers as well as our EHS – Child Care Partnership teachers. New teachers learn from highly experienced teachers and benefit from an environment that maximizes opportunities for teacher-child interaction and bonding. PROJECT SECURE Project Secure provides comprehensive HS and EHS services to children experiencing homelessness. Children from six weeks to five years of age residing in local shelters are eligible to participate in Project Secure. Our New Lease on Life workshops also help parents experiencing homelessness learn how to manage their money effectively and develop life skills that will aid them in stabilizing their finances and achieving economic self-sufficiency. DUAL LANGUAGE CLASSROOMS PICA’s dual language classrooms honor and preserve children’s home language and culture in the classroom environment. PICA offers dual language learning opportunities in English/Spanish, English/Somali, and Hmong enrichment.
8 EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION PICA partners with all local school districts in our service area to provide Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) to eligible HS and EHS children and coordinate with PICA teachers and to develop, along with their parents, Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) for eligible children. COLLABORATION CLASSROOMS PICA offers special education services in collaboration with Minneapolis Public Schools Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). Classrooms are staffed jointly by MPS ECSE teachers and PICA’s Education staff. SERVICES TO CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES At least 10% of PICA’s enrollment slots are reserved for children with diagnosed disabilities, who receive the full array of comprehensive HS or EHS services in the least restrictive environment possible. TRANSPORTATION Door-to-door transportation is provided for all enrolled children to ensure child safety and promote regular attendance. FAMILY SUPPORT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS PICA provides many opportunities for parents to acquire marketable skills, work experience, and credentials that will help them meet their personal employment goals and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
9 SOCIAL SERVICES AND FAMILY SUPPORT Our Family Advocates work in partnership with families to help them set and achieve goals and access needed services and resources while providing support and encouragement every step of the way. We also encourage parents to attend our parent support groups, which provide a forum for airing questions and concerns, sharing challenges and successes, and networking with other parents. WELLNESS HEALTH, DENTAL, AND MENTAL WELLNESS SERVICES To ensure children are healthy and ready to learn, PICA provides on-site health, dental, and mental wellness services for all enrolled children. We also offer periodic dental clinics for pregnant women to promote good oral health during pregnancy. NUTRITION PICA participates in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and provides enrolled children with up to two-thirds of their daily nutritional needs, including a healthy breakfast, lunch, and snack.
10 OUTCOME OF PICA’S HEALTH SERVICES PICA children are receiving recommended health and dental care to ensure that they are healthy and better prepared to learn.
11 OUR COMMUNITY Every year, PICA conducts a Community Assessment update to examine demographics in our service area, to assess current issues impacting our community, and to identify the strengths of and challenges faced by the children and families we serve. Each year, we update this information to accurately reflect the state of our community at that point in time. This 2024 update finds our community reeling from the effects of Minnesota’s job vacancies, childcare shortages, and disparate experiences. At PICA, we are “building a strong foundation for the future” to provide our families with the services and support they need to overcome these ongoing challenges. • PICA is currently funded to serve just 13.01% of eligible children in Hennepin County five years of age or younger. • High unemployment rates and racial employment disparities are prevalent, with BIPOC individuals experiencing significantly higher unemployment rates. • In 2023, 16.3% of the childcare workforce left their positions, compared to 8.9% across all industries. High childcare prices also contribute to the lack of accessible childcare availability. • In Hennepin County, families experience housing, food security, and health disparities. • Considering community circumstances, PICA has been required to come up with creative solutions, stretch our resources, and pivot our strategies.
12 ELIGIBLE CHILDREN PICA’s Community Assessment highlights an increase in children eligible for HS and EHS services, attributed to adding SNAP recipients as categorically eligible. PICA is currently funded to serve just 13.01% of eligible children in Hennepin County five years of age or younger. Demand for EHS services is high, with 6,291 eligible children. Hennepin County Children Ages Five and Under Receiving MFIP, DWP, and/or SNAP Benefits Age 0 – 2 (EHS) Age 3 – 5 (HS) TOTAL Suburban 2,938 3,687 6,625 Minneapolis 3,353 4,115 7,468 Hennepin County Total 6,291 7,802 14,093 Funded to serve by PICA 496 (7.88%) 1,338 (17.15%) 1,834 (13.01%) EMPLOYMENT AND JOB AVAILABILITY In Hennepin County, high unemployment rates and racial employment disparities are prevalent, with BIPOC individuals experiencing significantly higher unemployment rates. The job vacancy rate remains high, with 139,059 vacancies. The attrition rate of teachers in Minnesota is about 33% within five years of teaching. To address these issues, PICA has enhanced recruitment methods and developed workforce training programs, including Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing and parent internships. These initiatives aim to meet community demands for skilled employees, improve staff
13 retention, and support economic self-sufficiency for families. The fully renovated Training Center facility further supports these goals by providing training and hands-on experience for new staff and community members. CHILDCARE AVAILABILITY Hennepin County faces a severe lack of childcare availability, affecting parents' ability to work. Low wages for childcare workers, especially BIPOC workers, may contribute to this shortage. In 2023, 16.3% of the childcare workforce left their positions, compared to 8.9% across all industries. High childcare prices also contribute to the lack of accessible childcare availability. To address this, PICA has expanded its workforce development and parent internship programs to provide job skills and employment opportunities. PICA also offers Split-Week, High Five, and Full-Day childcare options, accommodating various family needs and enhancing accessibility to childcare services. DISPARATE EXPERIENCES In 2022, 17.4% of Minnesota’s people who fell under the poverty line were people of color. Homelessness is increasing, with a staggering increase in sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in Hennepin County; BIPOC individuals are disparately experiencing homelessness. PICA addresses homelessness through programs like Project Secure and New Lease on Life, workforce development programs, and health services. Food insecurity affects a high number of children in Minnesota, with rising food costs exacerbating the issue. PICA combats food insecurity with monthly food shelves, partnerships for nutrition education, and culturally reflective menus. Health disparities are significant, with low-income families facing barriers to healthcare. PICA provides health clinics, mobile services for vulnerable populations, and comprehensive wellness support.
14 LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE The past three years have presented PICA parents, children, and staff with unprecedented challenges. PICA has been required to come up with creative solutions, stretch our resources, and pivot our strategies. • PICA will continue to offer competitive salaries to retain our valued and diverse staff, including teachers and childcare workers. • PICA will emphasize the value of our comprehensive services to enhance our recruitment and enrollment processes. In turn, children and families who are impacted by the quality and availability of other early childhood education options will become aware of these comprehensive services. • PICA will continue to provide innovative training, workforce development programs, and internships for parents to assist families in achieving economic self-sufficiency and addressing the labor shortage in the local community. • PICA will continue to provide programming, services, and support to assist homeless children and families. • PICA will continue to implement programs to help families gain access to nutritious food and develop long-term healthy habits. • PICA will continue to implement procedures and services to keep our families and staff safe and healthy. • PICA will continue to offer a variety of locally designed program options to meet the scheduling, training, service, and community needs of PICA’s diverse children and families.
15 PICA PARENTS AND FAMILIES At PICA, parents play a key role in everything we do. We believe parents are their children’s first and most important teachers and value their input into all aspects of our programming. PICA partners with parents to help define the programs and services that are most needed by our families and our community and to ensure that we are meeting our families’ needs and addressing the most critical challenges they face. PICA served a total of 2,051 families in the program year 2023-2024. PICA also provides parents with opportunities to improve their parenting skills, develop leadership skills, become involved in their communities, and represent PICA and HS at the local, state, and national levels. Of the current PICA staff, 210 were current or former HS/EHS parents. One hundred four fathers were engaged in activities such as family assessment and goal setting, child development experiences, program governance, and/or parenting education. Sixteen percent or 328 of families served by PICA were homelessat some point during the 2023-2024 program year.16%Three percent or 71 of families served by PICA had at least one parent with an A.A., B.A. or advanceddegree.3%Seventy-nine percent or 1,620 of families served by PICA had at least one parentwho was employed, in job training, or in school.79%Fifty-three percent or 1,095 of families served by PICA were two-parent families.53%Fourty-seven percent or 956 of families served by PICA were single-parent families.47%
16 PARENT INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES MEN ARE IMPORTANT PICA’s male involvement program, Men Are Important, is designed to help fathers become more involved in their children’s lives and education. In addition to regular monthly meetings, PICA invites fathers and children to join us for a variety of fun activities. PARENT AND CHILD (PAC) TIME PAC Time celebrates parents as the first and primary educators of their children. Monthly PAC Time meetings at each of our centers provide an opportunity for parents to engage in quality one-on-one time with their children, have fun, and learn something new. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES PICA encourages parents to become involved in their child’s education. PICA invites parents to volunteer in their children’s classrooms, chaperone field trips, or help with a parent event. PARENT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CENTER COMMITTEE MEETINGS Parents attend Center Committee meetings to plan activities at each PICA center and elect Policy Council representatives from their center.
17 POLICY COUNCIL PICA’s Policy Council meets monthly and includes parents representing all PICA sites, plus community members who are concerned about the well-being of young children. Policy Council members choose to sit on one of three committees—Planning and Evaluation, Personnel, or Finance—and have important decision-making responsibility in several key areas of PICA’s programs, including review and approval of all grant application submissions, personnel actions, financial reports, and audit results. PICA’s Policy Council members also participate in the agency’s annual self-assessment process, helping to evaluate PICA’s compliance with federal Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS). VALUING THE INVOLVEMENT OF PARENTS (VIP) COMMITTEE The VIP Committee empowers parents to learn more about representative government, the importance of voting, and the value of becoming involved in their communities. AGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Parents participate on an Agency Advisory Committee to provide input into the areas of Health, Social Services, and Education & Disabilities. MINNESOTA HEAD START (MHSA) ASSOCIATION STATE PARENT AFFILIATE Parents represent PICA by voting at the MHSA General Assembly and participating on the MHSA Board of Directors. PARENT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES In the program year 2023-2024, 160 PICA parents successfully completed one of PICA’s Parent Training Projects in the areas of preschool or infant/toddler child development, food service, transportation, or clerical skills. These parents have gained valuable knowledge and skills to prepare them for living-wage employment at PICA or in the local community.
18 CHILD DEVELOPMENT TRAINING The Early Childhood Development Training Project gives parents the opportunity to learn about infant, toddler, or preschool child development while gaining practical experience in a PICA classroom. FOOD SERVICE TRAINING PICA’s Food Service Training Project allows parents to gain experience working, cooking, and cleaning in a commercial kitchen. TRANSPORTATION TRAINING The Transportation Training Project is intended to prepare parents for the State of Minnesota road test to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). CLERICAL TRAINING In the Clerical Training Project, you learn transferable skills in three main areas: clerical and secretarial, receptionist services, and computer services. BUS MONITORING In the Bus Monitoring Training Project, parents learn the bus driver’s job responsibilities when riding buses that transport PICA children.
19 PICA STAFF Children respond positively to teachers and role models who reflect their own racial, ethnic, cultural, and/or linguistic identity. Unfortunately, teachers of color—especially early childhood teachers, are in short supply in Minnesota. PICA’s teaching staff, however, is highly representative of the children we serve, with 86% being people of color and/or of Hispanic/Latino origin. Our diverse staff also understands first-hand the challenges that our families face, with a high number of staff members consisting of current or former HS/EHS parents, grandparents, or HS alumni. We serve 49% of the children from families that speak a primary language other than English in their homes. Our highly trained, dedicated staff is prepared to meet families’ needs and help them reach their full potential. PICA also ensures that our staff members receive the necessary resources and training to help them address the unique challenges our families face, including homelessness, unemployment, food insecurity, mental health, medical fragility, and chronic health. PICA's staff members are invaluable due to their unique combination of diversity, personal experience, and professional training. This alignment fosters a deep connection and understanding, significantly enhancing the children's learning and development experiences.
20 STAFF OUTCOMES During the program year 2023-2024, PICA employed 182 child development staff members— 73 infant and toddler classroom teachers and 109 preschool education and child development staff. Eighty-six percent or 107 of PICA’s child development staff members are people of color and/or of Hispanic/Latino origin.86%Sixty-six percent or 124 of PICA’s child development staff members are bilingual or multilingual.66%Fourty-three percent or 82 of PICA’s staff members have been with PICA for 20 years or longer.43%
21 COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS PICA aims to provide comprehensive programs and services that allow us to meet the needs of children and families in our community and contribute to their well-being. To this end, we have established over 100 collaborative partnerships in a variety of areas: child and parent education, health and nutrition, dental health, mental wellness, STEM activities, the arts, physical fitness, life skills, and community involvement. The relationships we have developed with our community partners allow us to offer a wider array of services on-site than we would be able to provide on our own and to give our children and families access to these services in a comfortable, familiar environment. With the help of our partners, we are also able to offer curriculum enhancements in our classrooms to enrich children’s educational experiences, including math and science, art, music, dance, drama, yoga, gardening, and more. Among our most important partners are our dedicated supporters and donors. To all of you who have supported PICA with your time, talents, financial gifts, Wish Tree donations, and/or other in-kind donations: Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! You are making a difference in the lives of children and families who, with your help, are reaching their full potential and contributing to their community.
22 BOARD AND POLICY COUNCIL PICA’s Board of Directors and parent Policy Council practice shared governance and work together to provide valuable input and oversight to the agency while sharing important decision-making responsibilities in the areas of finance, funding, and employment. 43% of PICA’s board members are former HS parents or grandparents who have witnessed first-hand the tremendous difference HS makes in families’ lives. Like every HS program in the nation, PICA is mandated by law to have a parent Policy Council, whose membership must be at least 51% of parents and guardians of currently enrolled children. PICA’s Policy Council—whose membership is over 95% parents and guardians of currently enrolled children—includes parents representing all PICA sites, plus community members committed to the well-being of young children.
23 PICA 2023-2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fran Stark, Chair, University of Minnesota – TRIO Program Guy Bowling, Vice Chair, Goodwill-Easter Seals FATHER Project Vernon Wetternach, Secretary, Minneapolis Housing Authority (retired) Anise Mazone, Treasurer, University of Minnesota – Office of Student Affairs Sharon Sayles Belton, Former Mayor of Minneapolis, Thomson Reuters Tyanna Bryant, former parent Dan Cain, Former Executive Director, RS Eden (retired) Dr. Wallace Franklin, Minneapolis Public Schools (retired) Bryan Nelson, MenTeach Shawnee Twiet, former parent Anissa Watkins, Minnesota Department of Human Services Makeda Zulu, University of Minnesota – UROC (Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center)
24 PICA 2023-2024 POLICY COUNCIL Madeline Hodapp, Chair, La Crèche Partnership Ariana Mozo, Vice Chair, McKnight Center Isabel Alarcon-Gochez, Secretary, McKnight Center Keyatta Randle, Treasurer, Fraser Center Sonia Parra Silvia, State Parent Affiliate Representative, McKnight Center Hoden Aden Abisyo, Fraser Center Blessings Aghayedo, Aubrey Della Center Italia Guzman Agustiniano, Portland Village Center Lisette Cando, Northeast Center Vanessa Ruiz-Cardova, South Branch Center Ashley Folwick, Fraser Center Falilatou Tagba Iniwe, McKnight Center Odell Karmo, Town Hall Center Ame Kotubetey, Southwood Center Andromeda Lark, Park Place Center Safia Malow, McKnight Center Rafa Mamoudou, Pond Center Adriana Mateus, Town Hall Center SamSam Mohamed, Glendale Center Feliciano Quizhpi-Granda, McKnight Center Fran Stark, Board Chair
25 PICA LEADERSHIP PICA’s Executive Leadership Team regularly addresses new challenges and responds to the ever-changing landscape of the early childhood field. The Executive Team also conducts strategic planning, spearheads innovative programming to meet family and community needs, and monitors progress toward meeting established goals for child outcomes, agency growth, staff development, and succession planning. PICA’S EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM Rico Alexander, Executive Director Candee Melin, Deputy Director Monshari Chandler, Head Start/Early Head Start Director Alyce M. Dillon, Director of Strategic Management and Policy Judith Baker, Director of Diversity Su Melton, Director of Finance Rachel Bellfield, Director of Human Resources Brody Burton, Director of Facilities
26 FINANCIAL REPORT PICA receives funding from a variety of sources, including federal, state, and county sources; foundations; and individual donors who have chosen to invest in the future of our HS children and our community.COMPLIANCE REVIEW AND FINANCIAL AUDIT RESULTS PICA is committed to compliance with federal HSPPS and stringent financial management principles. The most recent federal monitoring review of our HS and EHS programs was a virtual Focus Area 1 (FA1) review conducted by the Administration for Children and Families on June 3-5, 2024, covering the following areas: Program Design, Management; Education and Child Development Services; Health Services; Family and Community Engagement Services; Fiscal Infrastructure; and Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA). We are pleased to report that PICA was found to be monitoring and implementing each of these areas successfully and in full compliance with federal HSPPS. PICA’s financial audit for fiscal year 2023-24 was conducted by the independent CBIZ CPAs P.C. firm. The Independent Auditors’ Report indicates that: “...the accompanying financial statements [of PICA] present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the organization as of June 30, 2024, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then ended, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.” The full audit report is available for review upon request. PICA'S REVENUE SOURCES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 United States Department of HHS $32,571,249 State of Minnesota $12,654,127 Hennepin County $2,232,871 United States Department of Agriculture $1,354,299 Think Small $1,511,288 Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Scholarship $829,365 City of Minneapolis $100,000 Screening Revenue $73,532 Other Contributions $530,925 Miscellaneous Revenue $99,191 Total $51,956,847
27 PROJECTED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 Salaries $21,447,281 Payroll Taxes & Fringe Benefit $9,658,648 Travel $99,381 Supplies $1,992,963 Contractual $875,147 Insurance $375,616 Vehicle Gas, Oil & Maintenance $355,896 Equipment/Maintenance Expense $869,998 Local Travel $43,235 Communications $695,616 Child Care $15,795 Parent Activities & Child Field Trips $25,114 Fees & Subscriptions $215,357 Rent & Utilities $945,364 Miscellaneous $17,777 Food Cost $1,955,486 Staff and Parent Training $414,100 Total $40,002,774 PICA'S ACTUAL EXPENSE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 Salaries $21,172,934 Payroll Taxes & Fringe Benefit $9,429,263 Travel $75,265 Supplies $1,840,332 Contractual $859,965 Insurance $355,652 Vehicle Gas, Oil & Maintenance $342,246 Maintenance/Equipment $868,543 Local Travel $37,537 Communications $689,532 Child Care $10,817 Parent Activities & Child Field Trips $12,721 Fees, Subscriptions & Advertising $207,031 Rent & Utilities $931,894 Miscellaneous $15,123 Food Cost $1,945,816 Staff & Parent Training $401,938 Total Expenses Before Depreciation $39,196,609 Depreciation $729,825 Total Expenses $39,926,434 Change in Net Assets from Operations $12,030,413 Total Revenue $51,956,847
28 AWARDS AND RECOGNITION PICA is committed to delivering high-quality services for children and families. Our children and families deserve the best as children strive for success in school and their parents work toward economic self-sufficiency. PICA’s commitment to excellence: • Being honored since 1999 as a National Head Start Association Program of Excellence for outstanding program design and delivery, agency management, and fiscal responsibility • Being named a Top 200 Workplace multiple times in the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s annual survey of local employers • Achieving the highest rating (4 stars) in Minnesota’s childcare quality rating system, Parent Aware • Receiving national recognition for its innovative in-house Parent Training Projects, designed to help HS parents acquire the knowledge, skills, and experience to obtain living-wage employment • Gaining national acclaim for its groundbreaking Men Are Important male involvement program
29 PICA CENTERS Northeast Neighborhood Early Learning Center 342 Thirteenth Avenue Northeast Minneapolis, MN 55413 612-379-7422 Center Director: Anaji Shuna Helen H. Taylor Early Childhood Family Development Center 4901 Olson Memorial Highway Golden Valley, MN 55422 763-541-7422 Center Director: Antyenette Walker Portland Village Center 1829 Portland Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55404 612-871-7422 Center Director: Ashley Nyangbe PICA Early Childhood Family Development Workforce Training Center 300 E 43rd St. Minneapolis, MN 55409 612-821-2201 Center Director: Laurie Keena Pond Family Center 9600 Third Avenue South Bloomington, MN 55420 952-884-7422 Center Director: Ashley Nyangbe McKnight Early Childhood Family Development Center 4225 Third Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55409 612-825-7422 Center Director: Panhia Tran Donald M. Fraser Early Childhood Family Development Center 700 Humboldt Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55411 612-377-7422 Center Director: Marguerite Anderson Park Place Early Childhood Family Development Center 2745 Park Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55407 612-870-7422 Center Director: Shelly Parker Town Hall Early Childhood Family Development Center 8500 Zane Avenue North Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 763-425-7422 Center Director: Peeso Mathies South Branch Center 7145 Harriet Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55423 612-861-7422 Center Director: Ashley Nyangbe Glendale Early Childhood Family Development Center 96 Saint Mary’s Avenue Southeast Minneapolis, MN 55414 612-874-7422 Center Director: Anaji Shuna Aubrey Della Early Childhood Family Development Center 6415 Brooklyn Boulevard Brooklyn Center, MN 55429 763-535-7422 Center Director: Antyenette Walker Southwood Early Learning Center 4901 West 112th Street Bloomington, MN 55437 612-871-7422 Center Director: Ashley Nyangbe EHS-Childcare Partnership Location: La Crèche Early Childhood Centers, Inc. 1120 Oliver Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55411 Executive Director: Phyllis Sloan
30 CONTACT PICA For more information about PICA, contact us in writing or by telephone: Parents In Community Action, Inc. 700 Humboldt Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55411 612-377-7422 To hear about upcoming events and activities at PICA, check our Information Hotline. Information is available in five languages: • General 612-377-4444 • English 612-374-0701 • Hmong 612-374-0709 • Oromo 612-374-0703 • Somali 612-374-0707 • Spanish 612-374-0705 APPLY FOR HEAD START OR EARLY HEAD START To enroll your child in HS or EHS at PICA, visit our website at www.picaheadstart.org to apply online; or print an application and other necessary forms, complete the application forms, and bring them to one of our centers during regular business hours. Visit PICA on the web at www.picaheadstart.org to learn more about our programs, services, and community activities. CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to receive updates about PICA.
31 PICA Annual Report © 2025 Parents In Community Action 700 Humboldt Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55411 No part of this report may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the organization. The name PICA and the agency’s logo are trademarks (74-404030) belonging to Parents In Community Action. PICA was incorporated in the State of Minnesota and is a public charity which is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service.