Kimberly Peña-Molina, Early Care and Education Manager, Children’s Opportunity Alliance
"My name is Kimberly Peña-Molina, and I am the Early Care and Education Manager at the Montgomery County Children’s Opportunity Alliance. My [early care and education] journey began long before I joined the Alliance. I earned my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Towson University and have served as a classroom aide, Head Start contractor, Kindergarten teacher, and child care center director. Each role gave me a unique perspective on a child’s journey, from infancy through the transition to Kindergarten, and deepened my understanding of both what children need to thrive and the opportunities and challenges families encounter during these critical early years.
What keeps me committed is knowing that behind every policy discussion, funding decision, and systems change are real people. I have seen children discover what they are capable of: taking first steps, learning new words, building friendships, and gaining the confidence to try again after something feels hard. I’ve seen parents feel relief when they find a safe and nurturing place for their child, and educators pour their creativity and care into helping children grow. Those experiences continue to shape my belief that access to high-quality care and learning should not depend on a family’s income, zip code, or ability to navigate a complicated system.
Throughout my career, I have met families working hard for their children while still facing barriers to finding care. I have also seen dedicated programs stretch to meet children’s needs amid workforce shortages, rising costs, and limited resources. These challenges are not caused by a lack of effort or commitment. They are the result of systems that have not kept pace with the needs of our communities.
That is why I believe we need policies that strengthen the entire early childhood ecosystem. We must increase investment in child care scholarships and subsidies, increase and sustain funding for Pre-K and Head Start, and stabilize and expand infant and toddler care. We also need continued investment in family navigation and trusted community-based outreach so families can more easily connect with the resources, programs, and opportunities available to them.
When we invest in early childhood, we help children thrive, strengthen families, uplift educators, and build a stronger future for Montgomery County."
Kimberly Peña-Molina
Early Care and Education Manager, Children’s Opportunity Alliance