Company Profile
Southwest Human Development
Company Overview
Since 1981, Southwest Human Development has been reaching Arizona's young children and families through comprehensive and innovative early childhood services.
Our Mission
Southwest Human Development strengthens the foundation Arizona's children need for a great start in life.
Our Vision
A positive future for every child.
The agency has long been recognized as a leader in providing comprehensive services for children ages birth through five and their families in five primary areas:
•Child Development and Mental Health
•Easter Seals Disabilities Services
•Head Start and Early Literacy
•Child Welfare
•Professional Education
From small beginnings—a staff of only six serving 175 children and families—Southwest Human Development has grown to be Arizona's largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development with a staff of nearly 800, serving more than 135,000 young children and their families each year.
“Best Places To Work” & “Healthiest Employers” Awards:
For the sixth consecutive year, Southwest Human Development was voted one of the Valley’s 2013 “Best Places to Work” among large-sized companies. The survey, independently administered by the Phoenix Business Journal and Quantum Workplace, looks at employee life, workplace environment, leadership, culture of the organization and management practices.
Southwest Human Development has also been awarded the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2014 “Healthiest Employers” award for the third year in a row among mid-sized companies. This survey ranks applying organizations based on responses to questions in a number of categories, as well as scoring and benchmarking developed by academic, medical, wellness and business communities.
These surveys let everyone in on something our staff already knows – Southwest Human Development is a great place to work!
Company History
Southwest Human Development was founded by Ginger Ward, whose guidance and vision has provided the foundation for the organization’s remarkable success. In partnership with early childhood professionals, Ms. Ward has expanded from a single program in 1981 that improved services for children with disabilities in Head Start into a national model that many others now follow and seek out for best practices.
Founded in 1981
•$150,000 budget
•Serving 175 children and families
•Six staff members
Today
•$53 million annual budget
•Serving nearly 135,000 children and families
•More than 700 staff members
Since 1981, a number of important programs and services have been introduced by SWHD. The following milestones highlight the organization’s history.
•In 1982 SWHD begins to operate Head Start programs in five Phoenix area school districts.
• In 1983, SWHD initiated an early intervention program for infants and toddlers with disabilities.
•By 1988 the organization has grown to 120 professionals and an annual budget of $3.5 million.
•In 1993, SWHD launches its Healthy Families child abuse prevention program, based on a national model.
•By 1993, the organization has grown to more than 230 professionals and an annual budget of $6.7 million.
•By 1996, SWHD has grown to a staff of more than 300 serving nearly 12,000 children and families, and operating with an annual budget of $13 million.
•In 1997, SWHD opened the Good Fit Counseling Center for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. This program is now a part of the Arizona Institute for Early Childhood Development.
•In 1997, SWHD brought the national pediatric literacy program called Reach Out and Read to Arizona. This program is now a part of the Arizona Institute.
•In 1998, the highly regarded Assistive Technology Resource Center is initiated for children and adults with disabilities.
•In 2001, the Harris Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Training Institute, now a part of the Arizona Institute, opened.
•In 2003, SWHD acquires, rehabilitates and relocates into a 50,000-square-foot building at 2850 N. 24th St. in Phoenix, which serves as its headquarters.
•In 2004, the Healthy Families program has tripled in size and is on track to serve approximately 1,200 families by 2005.
•By 2004, SWHD has grown to a staff of more than 450, serving nearly 50,000 children and families, and operating with an annual budget of $23 million.
•In 2005, SWHD’s Arizona Institute launched the Libraries for Literacy program.
•In 2006, the Arizona Institute for Early Childhood Development introduced the first statewide toll-free Birth to Five Helpline (1-877-705-KIDS).
•In 2006, SWHD has grown to encompass more than 40 public and private programs in four primary areas: child health and welfare, disabilities, training and education and Head Start.
•In 2007, SWHD became the Easter Seals affiliate for central and northern Arizona. This new association will aid SWHD in offering new programs as well expanding the early intervention, assistive technology and other disability programs.
•In 2007, SWHD added the Fussy Baby Program to the already successful Birth To Five Helpline (1-877-705-KIDS). Fussy Baby is designed to aid parents of babies who cry excessively, also known as colicky.
•In 2007, the Feeding Program for Infants and Young Children served its first client. This unique program services the large number of children who experience significant problems with feeding and swallowing.
•In 2008 SWHD was named the Valley’s Best Place to Work by the Phoenix Business Journal for the large company category.
•In 2009, SWHD hosted two inaugural events: Walk With Me which raises funds and awareness for services for children with disabilities, and Portraits of Opportunity, which showcases agency families, who participate in a variety of programs, through photography
•In 2010 the agency has grown to serve more than 135,000 children and their families, with a staff of 650 throughout 100 programs and projects.
•In 2011, the Children's Developmental Center opened serving children ages birth to five with disabilities and behavioral challenges. It is the first of its kind in Arizona using a blended developmental, mental health and medical model. SWHD also opened the ADAPT Shop, which provides relatively simple adaptations or low-tech solutions that can make a tremendous difference in the life of a child with a disability.
Benefits
Southwest Human Development offers an excellent benefits package for full-time employment to include:
Health insurance (provided at no cost to the employee)
Dental insurance
Life insurance
Vision insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible spending account
401(k) retirement plan
Paid vacation
Paid sick time
Paid holiday
Ongoing training and professional development
Supportive, relationship-based supervision model