Erica Ruvalcaba-Heredia is the Program Director for the Center for Family Strengthening. She oversees the Promotores Collaborative of San Luis Obispo County, Innovative Partnerships, a regional grant funded by the Office of Child Abuse Prevention (OCAP), in partnership with Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and coordinates the Child Advocacy System (CAC) of San Luis Obispo. Erica is also a parent educator and mother of three beautiful sons. For twenty-four years she and husband have called the Central Coast home.
For over a decade Erica was a First 5 School Readiness Site Coordinator in Oceano. During this time, she worked with families struggling to meet basic needs, obtain health services and navigate the school system. Erica was part of the pilot program for Promotores that started in South County. She has been a fundamental part of the strategic planning, organizing and development of the Promotores educational trainings. Her own personal experience and knowledge of Latino culture helps to bridge gaps, create effective outreach opportunities, and empower the community.
Erica also serves as a First 5 Commissioner. She is devoted to advocate for the community’s needs. Today she works in collaboration with other agencies to ensure children and parents are receiving equal access to healthcare and services/resources needed to live a healthy life.
Erica is a graduate of the University of Santa Barbara and earned her Master’s Degree in Spanish and BA in Spanish and Latino and Iberian Studies. She holds an Educational Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of Laverne. She has also taught Spanish classes at Allan Hancock College for more than 15 years. Erica’s passion is to make a positive difference in people’s lives and her authentic leadership is exemplified in this John C. Maxwell quote, “Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”
