Proclamations recognize ‘critical role’ program plays in lives of children and their families
Children First, the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County, joined the National Head Start Association (NHSA) in celebrating Head Start Awareness Month throughout October, Children First has announced.
“In honor of the critical role that Head Start plays in the lives of children and families, Children First has received proclamations from the cities of North Port, Sarasota, and Venice, as well as from Sarasota County, highlighting the program’s impact across the region,” a news release points out.
“Head Start Awareness Month is a nationwide celebration that shines a spotlight on the importance of providing high-quality early childhood education and family support to break the generational cycle of poverty,” the release explains.
“Our community understands that Head Start is more than early childhood education; it’s a vital support system for families,” said Philip Tavill, Children First CEO, in the release. “We are honored to receive this recognition and to continue our mission of empowering children and families to reach their full potential,” he added.
“Children First, a four-time designated national Head Start Program of Excellence, is also nationally recognized as a Top Workplace and one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For,” the release notes.
“The agency plays a crucial role in the lives of hundreds of children,” from birth to age 5, as well as their families, “who are living at or below the Federal Poverty Level ($25,820 for a family of three). The agency serves nearly 1,100 individuals at multiple locations across Sarasota, Venice, and North Port daily,” the release points out.
Founded in 1961, Children First is ranked in the top 1% of more than 1,800 Head Start programs nationwide, the release adds. For more information, call 941-953-3877 or visit childrenfirst.net.