Sarasota County Head Start program’s honor ‘based entirely on confidential employee feedback’
Children First once has again been named a 2026 Sarasota-Manatee Top Workplace, “continuing its distinction as a Founding Winner and one of the few organizations recognized every year since the local workplace awards began,” the Sarasota County Head Start program staff has announced.
“The honor is based entirely on confidential employee feedback, making it a direct reflection of the experience and perspectives of the Children First team,” a news release explains.
“The local recognition builds on an exciting year nationally,” the release notes. Children First also was named a 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplace, and it received five Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards, the release adds. The latter were in the categories of Employee Well-Being, Professional Development, Innovation, Work-Life Flexibility and Purpose & Values.
“Our team brings extraordinary skill, compassion and commitment to our mission each day,” said Children First President & CEO Philip Tavill, who is also celebrating his 30th year with the organization.
“As we celebrate our 65th anniversary,” Tavill continued in the release, “this recognition is especially meaningful because it comes directly from the voices of our employees,”
Founded in 1961 and ranked in the top 1% out of more than 1,600 Head Start programs nationwide, Children First has a mission that calls for its programming to strengthen children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health and well-being, the release points out. “At multiple sites throughout Sarasota County, Children First offers full-day preschool, infant and toddler care,” as well as nutrition and health care assistance to children from birth to age 5 who live in low-income families, the release adds.
For more information, call 941-953-3877 or visit www.childrenfirst.org.