About me
Deepa Srinivasavaradan is the State Parent Lead and Director of Early Childhood Initiatives at the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network in New Jersey. In this role, she leads several early childhood projects, including the NJ Inclusive Child Care Project, and also serves as the Association of Maternal Child Health Programs (AMCHP) Family Delegate, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC's) "Learn the Signs. Act Early." Ambassador, and the Division for Early Childhood Recommended Practices (aRPy) Ambassador to educate, engage, and empower families with young children, as well as the professionals who support them. Her deep commitment to improving outcomes for children and families is grounded in her lived experience as an immigrant mother. A recognized family leader and thought partner, Deepa is dedicated to strengthening family–professional partnerships and ensuring that families are equal partners in decision-making across systems. In collaboration with the state team, she advances a wide range of initiatives designed to elevate the family voice and has contributed to the development of several family-centered resources and tools that promote meaningful engagement. Deepa also received AMCHP's Merle McPherson Award in 2020 for her exemplary contributions to further family-professional collaboration within state Title V programs.
