DIRECTOR JESSICA HARDY

Jessica Hardy, the current Latch Key Administrator, has been involved in
the area of child care most of her life. She was raised with children in
her home when she was growing up. She has been working in the field of
childcare for 23 years. She has worked as a Kindergarten and First grade
caregiver for the Latch Key Program from September 1995 until she
graduated from Brownwood High School in May 1997. She was assistant
director from September 1999 until she graduated from Howard Pay
University with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Management in
May 2001. In August 2001 she was hired as director of Latch Key.
Jessica graduated with her Masters of Business Administration in
Marketing in May 2020.
Jessica oversees Latch Key staff which are Howard Payne University
students involved in the study of early childhood development or
education, as well as some social work majors.
She is responsible for all personnel decisions including hiring,
pre-service training and ensuring staff meet state and federal
requirements for CPR/First Aid training, criminal history checks and
general supervision of care. Jessica oversees the staff daily.
Other responsibilities include the purchasing of food and supplies for the
program. Latch Key strictly follows the guidelines of the Child and Adult
Care Food Program. She plans the monthly food menus and trains the
volunteer staff who help with the snack preparation.
She also answers any correspondence, keeps attendance records and
to assure that the program is within its budget as well as grant writing.
Jessica has a heart for young children, especially at-risk children who
could easily fall through the cracks in society.
Aside from the very beneficial after school care that the program
offers to financially challenged families, it is also a way to reach out
to children who often times don’t learn positive social values at home.
Jessica and her staff are able to touch these children’s lives and their
families.
Jessica volunteers in the community with Girl Scouts of Central Texas,
Scouting BSA, Cub Scouts, Lake Brownwood Community Development Council and
Kiwanis Club of Brownwood.
Jessica has received her Director’s license through the Texas Department
of Protective and Regulatory Services Licensing Division.
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