Child Development Resources

The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College is such a wonderful CDR partner that wins the families’ hearts every time they visit.

On Friday, May 29, our Head Start Home-Based Program team provided a fun social outing for its program families. The trip was hosted by the Home-Based social planning group known as Awesome Butterflies.

It’s a unique experience when families get to visit a zoo located in their own backyard. Visitors experienced a wildlife education and preservation lesson via a 30-minute show and tell. Everyone then had the opportunity to walk around the complex to explore and learn about the animals.

This special outing included approximately 90 family participants, along with supporting staff.

This was also the last social outing of the 2025-2026 program year. Our CDR team is already looking forward to visiting the Moorpark Teaching Zoo, along with their Head Start families, on its next cycle, and for many years to come.

The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College Moorpark College Moorpark Acorn City of Moorpark Government Moorpark College Library Rotary Club of Moorpark Morning First 5 Ventura Ventura County Community Foundation Ventura County Office of Education - VCOE

We’re honored to have been the recipient of the JD Probasco (Division 😎 Team Unity Award at this year’s Corporate Games. That makes it two years in a row and deserving for a special Back-2-Back Champs display.

The trophy inscription reads: Given to the company that displayed the most unity and spirit during the 2025 (and 2026) Corporate Games. “No Whining.”

The Team Unity Award is named in honor and memory of City of Ventura staff member, JD Probasco, whose love for the Corporate Games lives on through this distinguished award.

Thank you to our amazing CDR team for displaying the ultimate example of good sportsmanship, teamwork, and community. A special thank you to the hard working crew Recreation for organizing another wonderful event.

The trophies will be on display in the lobby of our CDR central office throughout the month of June.

We are CDR!

See you in 2027 for a three-peat! 😉

In observance of , our offices will be closed on Monday, May 25. We will reopen on Tuesday, May 26.

Have a safe and wonderful weekend. 🇺🇸

There’s no shortage of special moments at each of our Head Start centers throughout . Our team in Fillmore recently celebrated two fun events for children and moms.

On April 30, brought their Take 5 to Read program into the classroom for storytime with guest reader, Laura Libby. Laura is the President of , a non-profit that unites children with law-enforcement and first responders in Ventura County.

Mario Rodriguez, Program Manager at First 5 Ventura County and a current member of the Fillmore City Council, was also an invited reader for the day.

The children at the center enjoyed their story hour and had an opportunity to interact and ask questions to the celebrity guests. The Fillmore center received donated gifts including a plush toy horse and several copies of Book Fiesta, a bilingual picture book by author Pat Mora and beautifully illustrated by Rafael López.

On May 8, the Fillmore center celebrated Mother’s Day, a love celebration of all moms, female guardians and caregivers, who nurture, guide, and support children in the community. The children presented their handmade artwork and flower to their moms. Each parent had a chance to explore the classroom, talk with the teachers, and learn about all the things their children do daily at the Head Start center.

Thank you to the staff at Fillmore Head Start for sharing their stories and photos. ❤️🌷

On April 30, CDR’s Berylwood Head Start Center in Simi Valley celebrated Dia del Niño (Children’s Day) with a special book reading.

Children at the center were visited by Berylwood Elementary School Principal, Mrs. Palmer. She also took some time to read to the classroom from the book titled, Book Fiesta, a bilingual picture book by Pat Mora and illustrated by Rafael López.

Special thanks to the Take 5 & Read program, an early literacy campaign organized by aimed at improving childhood literacy by encouraging parents to read with their children for just five minutes a day.

Thank you to the staff at Berylwood Head Start for sharing the video and photos. ❤️

We want to thank our partners First 5 Ventura for inviting CDR to participate in the 10th Annual Take 5 and Read to Kids campaign. The program encourages parents and caregivers to talk, read, and sing with young children to support their early language and literacy development.

Our CEO, Jack Hinojosa, visited CDR’s Bob Borrego Head Start to read to the children. Thank you to the staff and teachers for hosting the event at their center.

Children who are read one book a day will hear nearly 300,000 more words by age five compared to children who are not read to on a regular basis. The more words a child hears, the easier it is for them to pick up reading and learning skills.


Assemblymember Steve Bennett Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin Senator Monique Limón Ventura County Star VC Reporter Governor Gavin Newsom