In two situations, honorees have opportunity to earn national recognition
Children First, Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services, has received three statewide honors from the Florida Head Start Association (FHSA), recognizing leadership, service, and innovation in strengthening children and families, Children First announced this week.
Kathleen Sullivan, vice president of programs, was named the 2026 Administrator of the Year, “recognizing a Head Start career spanning nearly four decades,” the release points out.
Sullivan’s connection to Head Start began when she was a parent, before she became a volunteer, educator and program leader, the release notes. She joined Children First in 2010 and has served as vice President of programs and Head Start director since 2014, it adds.
“Board Chair Michael K. Suarez was named 2026 Humanitarian of the Year,” the release continues. A Children First alumnus and former director of the Sarasota County Emergency Services Department, Suarez has served on the Children First Board of Directors since 2020; he is in his second consecutive year as chair, the release says. “His leadership has strengthened emergency preparedness, governance, parent engagement, and community advocacy,” the release points out.
Further, Children First and the Sarasota County Schools were named Florida’s state finalist for the National Head Start Association Edward Zigler Innovation Award for their partnership through the Cyesis Teen Parent Program, the release says. “Since 2010, the school-embedded partnership has helped pregnant and parenting teens continue their education while their children receive high-quality early childhood education and comprehensive family support,” it explains.
“Sullivan’s Administrator of the Year Award and the Edward Zigler Innovation Award were both named regional winners by the Region IV Head Start Association (RIVHSA),” the release also points out. The Edward Zigler Innovation Award honorees will advance for consideration by the National Head Start Association in May 2027, the release notes.
Children First also is celebrating two staff members who earned the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement (IMH-E®) through the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health, the release says. “Mental Health Services Manager Arianne Roberts and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist Christy Evans received the prestigious credential, recognizing their specialized knowledge and expertise in supporting young children’s emotional well-being, healthy development, and caregiver relationships,” the release explains.
Founded in 1961 and ranked in the top 1% out of more than 1,600 Head Starts nationwide, Children First’s mission is strengthening “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, and nutrition and health care assistance to children from birth to age 5 from low-income families, the release adds. “Through Children First, the children receive the social and cognitive skills needed to enter kindergarten and elementary school on track.” For more information, call 941-953-3877 or visit www.childrenfirst.org.