Kelly O’Connell Retires After 40 Years at Options for Learning

Kelly O’Connell, deputy chief of the Child Care Services program at Options for Learning, is retiring on June 30 after a 40-year career with the agency.

O’Connell joined the organization in 1983 as a resource and referral manager and has since helped guide its growth from a small operation serving 100 children to a large nonprofit serving thousands daily throughout San Gabriel Valley.

Beginning her journey in 1983 as a resource and referral manager, O’Connell played a pivotal role in the evolution of the agency. When she first started, Options for Learning had a modest setup of five employees providing childcare services to approximately 100 children. Today, under her leadership, the organization serves thousands of children daily in the San Gabriel Valley.

Throughout her tenure, O’Connell has managed various programs and an impressive $65 million in local, state, and federal child development and nutrition contracts. Her portfolio included overseeing the Resource and Referral Program, Stages 1, 2, and 3 child care, Alternative Payment, Family Child Care Education Network, and the Food Program.

In addition to her duties within Options for Learning, O’Connell has been an active leader in the wider field of child care. Her leadership positions included serving as president of EveryChild California Southern Section, president of the Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles, and vice president of the Resource and Referral Network. She was also an appointee in the First Supervisorial District of the Child Care Planning Committee.

Known for her passionate advocacy for children and families in California, O’Connell has consistently worked towards creating innovative solutions for the challenges facing these groups. Her comprehensive understanding of early learning complexities, coupled with her hands-on experience in the field, allowed her to be a vanguard in community-based efforts.

Options for Learning, established in 1981, is a nonprofit child care and early learning agency that has been at the vanguard of helping families improve their lives and break the cycle of poverty.

With more than 90 locations spread across San Gabriel Valley, Whittier, Pomona Valley, and Northeast Los Angeles areas, the agency provides a range of services including infant care, preschool, and before- and after-school enrichment programs.

It serves 9,000 children annually, provides over $101 million in child care and program services annually, and serves over 3.4 million meals and snacks in centers and contracted home-based providers annually.

It also offers training, resources, and support to community childcare providers to enhance the quality of care for the children they serve.