Loren Soukup

Parent Representative: Loren Soukup

Loren Soukup grew up in Sebastopol and now lives in Cloverdale, with her husband and young daughter. Loren attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development with a minor in Psychology. During her time at Cal Poly, Loren was a teacher at the San Luis Obispo Child Development Center, which provides programs for abused and neglected children. She was also a Big Sister through the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program and interned with the San Luis Obispo Department of Social Services providing legal assistance to the Child Welfare Court.

After graduation, Loren moved back to Sonoma County and attended Empire College School of Law where she received her Juris Doctor degree. While she attended Empire College, Loren worked as a special education paraprofessional in the Sonoma County school districts. She also volunteered in the Sonoma County Court Self-Help Access Center and Small Claims Advisory Clinic through Empire College. Since 2005, Loren has worked for School and College Legal Services of California providing legal services to hundreds of schools and community colleges throughout the state.

In 2009 Loren and her husband welcomed their daughter Brooklyn into the world. As a mother and current daycare user, Loren has significant knowledge about the use of local daycares and the needs of parents. In addition, Loren’s experience working with the school districts in Sonoma County, provides her with a breadth of knowledge about the importance of providing early education to children and the needs of incoming Kindergarten students throughout the county. As the Parent Commissioner, Loren looks forward to sharing all of her experience and knowledge with the First 5 Commission.