Special to the NEWS
AUSTIN, TX—Governor Greg Abbott recently appointed three members to the state’s Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee, including a San Benito native.
According to a statement from Governor Abbott’s office, Sherri O’Daniel was appointed for a term set to expire on February 1, 2029, while Dana Dodgen and Celina Perez of San Benito were named to the committee for terms set to expire on February 1, 2031.
The committee advises HHSC on the administration, supervision, and monitoring of the statewide comprehensive system of early intervention services that ensure all infants and toddlers in this state who are under age three and have developmental needs or are at risk of developmental delay receive services provided in partnership with their families and within their local community.
O’Daniel, of Amarillo, serves as a disability services coordinator for the Region 16 Educational Service Center Head Start Program.
She is a member of the National Head Start Association and the Texas Head Start Association.
She is also a unified partner with Special Olympics and volunteers with Life Church. O’Daniel earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education in Special Education from West Texas A&M University.
Dodgen, of Dallas, serves as the early childhood intervention program director at The Warren Center.
She is a member of the early childhood intervention consortium and the president of the North Dallas Chapter of the Young Men’s Service League.
Dodgen earned a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies from Baylor University and a Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of North Texas.
Perez, of San Benito, serves as the senior director of the Region One Education Service Center.
She is a member of the Rio Grande Child Fatality Team, the Rio Grande Early Childhood Education Association, and is a parent member of Texas Parent to Parent.
Perez is a Texas Certified Early Intervention Specialist and a Certified Infant Massage Instructor. She also volunteers with Neighbors In Need of Services Head Start, Primera Iglesia Bautista, and San Benito CISD.
Perez earned a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitative Services and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley.
“I am sincerely honored and deeply grateful to Governor Abbott for the opportunity to serve on the Texas Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee. After more than 28 years of serving infants, toddlers, and their families through Early Childhood Intervention, I view this appointment as both a privilege and a profound responsibility,” she told the media.
“This role is especially meaningful to me because my commitment to early intervention is both professional and personal. As the parent of two children on the autism spectrum, I have experienced firsthand the importance of early support, access to services, and empowering families with the resources they need to help their children reach their fullest potential. Those experiences have deepened my commitment to advocating for children and families across Texas,” she added.
“Throughout my career, I have witnessed the life-changing impact that early intervention can have on a child’s development and a family’s future. I look forward to working alongside my fellow committee members to strengthen services, support the dedicated professionals who provide them, and help ensure that Texas families continue to have access to high-quality, family-centered early intervention services. I am especially honored to represent the Rio Grande Valley and contribute my experience to helping shape the future of Early Childhood Intervention in Texas,” Perez said.