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.