Contact: educate@openheartleaders.org
OHL’s EDUCATE sector serves as a dependable community ally for resources, accountability, and healing. Our approach, blending insights from lived-experience professionals, subject matter experts, and leaders, is widely acknowledged for its effectiveness in teaching and informing students, families, school leaders and budding educational professionals.
programs.
COMMUNITY RESOURCE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TEAM (C.R.E.S.T.)
OHL’s EDUCATE C.R.E.S.T. Program: Creating robust collaborations among schools, communities, and parents is vital for surmounting challenges and guaranteeing educational equity for every student. OHL’s Community Resource Educational Support Team (C.R.E.S.T.) A model and program has been developed to aid K-12 students, their families, and local schools bridge learning gaps and access necessary resources for success and growth.
C.R.E.S.T. is an educational community-based wrap-around program that was developed to minimize the educational divide.
OHL’s CREST providers can support the academic achievement of your student(s) by providing the following:
Academic Case Management
Serve as a liaison between the school and the family
Academic Reteaching/Tutoring
General tutoring
Supplemental Specialized Academic Instruction
Social Emotional Support
Mental Health Counseling
College & Career Counseling
Social Skills / Pragmatics Training
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Academic Instruction & Reteaching, Academic Case Management and Social-Emotional Management
K-12 students will receive social emotional support, academic support and reteaching increasing their confidence in their abilities, course work engagement, and improve grades while enhancing their educational / vocational outlook
Families will benefit from having a collaborative community partner that will support their child’s educational and social and emotional development.
Graduate students will have an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired through their programs in both a diverse community and in a non-traditional instructional setting
Schools and districts will also gain confidence that students and their families are being provided with additional opportunities to interact socially and emotionally develop and address other stressors that may be impacting their school performance
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OHL’s EDUCATE C.R.E.S.T. Program Benefits: There are many benefits to having your student(s) participate in OHL’s C.R.E.S.T. program:
K-12 students will receive social emotional support, academic support and reteaching increasing their confidence in their abilities, course work engagement, and improve grades while enhancing their educational / vocational outlook
Families will benefit from having a collaborative community partner that will support their child’s educational and social and emotional development.
Schools and districts will also gain confidence that students and their families are being provided with additional opportunities to interact socially and emotionally develop and address other stressors that may be impacting their school performance
Graduate students (teachers, school counselors & school psychologists) who choose OHL has a clinical practice site will have an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired through their programs in both a diverse community and in a non-traditional instructional setting
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OHL Education Partnership
Open Heart Leaders partners with entities to provide our services in an education-based setting or institution. Our partnerships with various schools ranging from K-12 to college level allows us to bring the experience of community engagement and lived experience to these settings.
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Direct Referrals to our services and programs at a discounted rate.
Exclusive rights to programming
Direct Access to Programing directors
Program development assistance
Custom programing for your institution
Highlighting your School within the community
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Horrace Mann Middle School
YouthBuild Charter School of California (All Sites)
San Diego State University
Alliant International University
services
Heart Leaders Academy Charter High School
Heart Leaders Academy Charter School is an innovative educational institution that goes beyond traditional learning by seamlessly integrating education with comprehensive mental health services. Our primary goal is to create an exceptional learning environment where students thrive and embrace their complete selves. We prioritize the holistic development of our students, nurturing their academic growth alongside their emotional well-being. By incorporating mental health services directly into our curriculum, we provide students with essential tools and support to navigate challenges, fostering coping strategies, resilience, and self-awareness. Our strong focus on mental health, life skills, and career paths creates a safe and inclusive space, ensuring that students' emotional needs are met, cultivating a sense of belonging, and promoting positive relationships among peers and staff. As a proud partner of YouthBuild Charter School of California, we are dedicated to empowering marginalized communities and offering a safe haven for students aged 15 to 29 or *higher who are seeking a high school diploma. Through purpose-driven programs such as coding, trade programs, and ongoing education at two or four-year colleges or in the military, we equip our students with the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable employment and success in all aspects of life.
Heart Leaders Academy emerged in response to a distinct need, recognizing a significant gap between the education system and the local community. As a recently established institution that launched in 2023, HLA is dedicated to surpassing expectations and effectively bridging this divide. Leveraging extensive expertise in addressing systemic flaws within the education sector, Heart Leaders Academy has developed a pioneering learning model that is poised to expand to other cities, making a lasting impact on the education landscape.
Please visit our website to find out more options for enrolling in our High School Today!
Heart Leaders Academy is a proud partner with YouthBuild Charter School of California.
Special Education Services
NON-PUBLIC AGENCY (NPA)
we are a california certified npa
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We are approved and certified by the State of California to provide therapy services for special education students.
If you are a public school district looking to find a local, NPA provider, Open Heart Leaders is available to work with your team today. Contact us today to start your partnership in services at (858) 256-6736 or email us at educate@openheartleaders.org.
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The State of California mandates that all agencies, whether public or private, seeking to contract with a public school district must first obtain approval and certification from the state for the services they offer. It is crucial to understand that public schools are obligated to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to students with special needs. In instances where a student's special education requirements cannot be adequately addressed within their district, the district has the option to collaborate with an approved Non-Public Agency (NPA) to ensure the provision of necessary special education and related services.
We are honored to collaborate with public school districts to conduct Culturally Competent Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) and/or develop services tailored to the individual student's Cultural Sensitivity-Informed Individual Education Plan (IEP).
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Open Heart Leaders is thrilled to announce a major achievement in its mission to provide exceptional support to students in need. The organization has officially received approval and certification from the state of California as a Non-Public Agency (NPA).
This milestone empowers Open Heart Leaders to establish master contracts with school districts and school sites, enabling the provision of specialized support to students through special education and designated services for individuals with exceptional needs.
As an African American-led and operated NPA, Open Heart Leaders is proud to be a trailblazer in addressing a longstanding void in this space. With 90% of our providers being of African American descent, we believe our unique perspective and cultural competence position us to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape.
This achievement is particularly noteworthy for the San Diego community, marking a monumental moment in the region's education sector. Dr. Vangie Akridge and Geraldine Brown, esteemed leaders in education, played a pivotal role in mentoring Open Heart Leaders' CEO, April Laster, on the journey to securing NPA status. This collaboration underscores the importance of mentorship and collaboration over competition in the pursuit of common goals. According to Dr. Vangie Akridge “Considering the historical context of AA's students and their families relationship in California educational systems, Open Heart Leader's presence in this space has the potential to create hope and bridge communication. While OHL serves clients from all backgrounds, this prestigious acknowledgement from the state let's families and local educational agencies know that there are community engaged educational professionals that are available to be thought partners and collaborators in this scope of work.”
April Laster, CEO of Open Heart Leaders, expressed her gratitude, saying, "I am deeply thankful for the guidance and support provided by Dr. Vangie Akridge and Geraldine Brown. This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration and mentorship. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of students and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive educational environment."
In the spirit of promoting education and unity, we leave you with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education."
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The State of California
Grades: PK to 12 +
Ages: 3 to 22
Student Gender: All
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Behavior Intervention (Planning) (BID)
Behavior Intervention (Implementation - Indvidual) (BII, BIS)
Behavior Intervention (Implementation - Group) (BII - Group)
Counseling & Guidance (Indvidual)
Counseling & Guidance (Group)
Educationally Related Mental Health Services ERMHS (Indvidual)
Educationally Related Mental Health Services ERMHS (Group)
Educatioally Related Mental Health Services ERMHS (Assessment)
Language and Speech Development/Remediation (SLP/Individual)
Language and Speech Development/Remediation (SLP/Group)
Parent Counseling & Training (Individual)
Parent Counseling & Training (Group)
Psychological Services (Direct Services)
Psychological Services (Psycho-educational Assessment)
Specially Designed Vocational Education & Career Development
Other Related Services (Tutoring)
Other Related Services (Educationally Related Consultation)
Other Related Services (Specialized Academic Instruction / SAI - Indvidual)
Other Related Services (Specialized Academic Instruction / SAI - Group)
Other Related Services (Mentoring)
Other Related Services (Adult Transtions / Life Coaching)
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Pricing for the Non-Public Agency (NPA) services is determined following consultation and a comprehensive needs assessment conducted by the program director.