“For the last year, I have been on Policy Council and the Executive Policy Council as the Washington State Association Alternate for Head Start. That is only one part of why I am so grateful for Head Start/EHS/ECEAP. My two children have gone through ECEAP and Head Start over the past two years and these programs have meant everything to my family. First, with my oldest going through ECEAP, it not only taught her vital skills but caught a slight cognitive delay. Due to that early intervention, she is now on track with her peers and is a successful first grader. With my youngest daughter, she went through Teacher Crystal’s integrated Head Start class with students from the Longview School District. In that class she not only became Kindergarten ready, she also learned empathy and support. She was taught very strong social emotional skills. These programs and the staff within them are essential not only to the children and families in the program but our entire community as well. Because of the support and encouragement from my daughters’ teachers and the various administrators that I have worked with the past two years, I am working towards my Associate in Arts and Sciences degree in Early Childhood Education. Without this support and encouragement and the early intervention for my oldest, my children and family would not be as successful as we are today. I cannot state my gratitude enough. I am beyond grateful for what these programs have done for my family and many others as well! ”
