admin

Head Start Success Stories Can Be Parents Stories Too

When we think about Head Start success stories we immediately think of one of the children reaching their potential and being ready to take on elementary school. However, we also have Head Start parent success stories and this story in particular is one that needs to be bragged about. A parent success story is not just a success story for the parent but also for the family which makes it a double success.

Jennifer Shaffer’s relationship with the Head Start program began when her boys became students. Jennifer’s niece, who she raised since she was three years old also became a Head Start student so this program has been very personal to her and her family. Jennifer started volunteering in the classroom and from there moved into a substitute teacher position. In April of 2002 she was given the opportunity to be a teacher assistant at Columbia Head Start and she took it. That opportunity allowed her to become more involved with the program as she worked her way up to a full teacher position while she worked on and completed both her Preschool CDA and her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. She then went from the Columbia Head Start site to the Lead Teacher position at Northridge Head Start where for she worked for three years growing in the supervisory role of the program. Jennifer did not stop there; her next Head Start opportunity happened when she was offered the Site Manager position at Lawrenceburg Head Start/Early Head Start. This opportunity drove her to continue her studies and lead to her being awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and Family Relations. Still, Jennifer did not stop there. She spent about four years as the Site Manager in Lawrenceburg, continuing to gain experience, supporting families and promoting her positive influences on the Head Start program. Jennifer continued to advance in the program becoming a Program Coordinator with the overall Head Start/Early Head Start and is now the Lead Program Coordinator. This success story is not only for Jennifer and her family but for the sites and the whole program where she left her positive imprint. In addition to that, this story shines a light on how incredibly smart the HS/EHS program is. When it finds that parent showing the interest and desire, it will take them and work with them to become an integral partner in the overall success of the program.

Jennifer has a unique way of looking at the Head Start program due to the close relationship she developed with different levels of the program starting out as that parent wanting to make sure that her kids have the best educational start possible to making sure that everyone else’s children have that same opportunity for success. She says “Head Start gave my children a chance to be able to learn about diversity and become ready for kindergarten” She also gives Head Start the credit for her determination obtaining her degree saying “ I truly feel that I would have never gone back to school had Head Start not been the force behind me getting back in there”, “I love what the program stands for and that I am able to show the families we work with that they too can do anything they set their mind to”. Thankfully for us as well as the families that she is able to touch with her dedication, she does not see herself going anywhere else to work. Jennifer has been an incredible role model for her boys and her niece. Both of her sons have graduated from High School and now work full time jobs supporting their families. Her niece graduated in 20109 and is currently working on being accepted to the Surgical Tech program with TCATS.

SCHRA Nutrition Department Does More Than Just Cook Great Food

The SCHRA Nutrition Department is multi-faceted. It is not only responsible for feeding our seniors, it is also an event catering organization. This wearing of multiple hats keep Becky Christa, Nutrition Department Assistant Director and Ashley Roland, Program Assistant for Nutrition busy every day. The Department is available to cater public and private events and during the holiday months they are kept extra busy. Becky has been with SCHRA for 13 years and started as the site manager for the Lincoln County Senior Center. Ironically, she took the position as a way to get away from the catering work that she had been doing previously; not knowing that she would eventually stand up the catering department we have today. Ashley has been working for the Agency for 6 years. She started while she was in the Families First program and made such an impact that she showed herself to be the perfect person to hire when a part time position opened up in the Nutrition Department. A fun fact you may not know is that this is not the first time Becky and Ashley have worked together, they were originally co-workers at Shoney’s. This could be part of the reason they have worked so well together keeping the kitchen and program running as smoothly as it does. While Becky looks at catering as her baby, she has been placing more of the responsibilities of the program with Ashley and Ashley has stepped up. This department does not have an off day; they are ready to cater 7 days a week and it is not uncommon for them to have more than one catering event a day. This is in addition to their “day job”.

Their day job keeps them pretty busy as well. The Nutrition Department, which includes the main kitchen in Fayetteville and the second kitchen in Hohenwald, ensures that every senior in each of our 20 congregant sites and all homebound clients have a hot nutritious lunch 5 days a week as well as preparing the meals and snacks for the Harris Head Start site in Shelbyville. Let’s break down, or more correctly add up, the numbers. In the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the kitchens delivered over 105,000 meals to the 20 different sites. Of those, 47,000 meals were served by our amazing site mangers at the congregant sites and then those same site managers put together over 58,000 meals that were taken out for delivery to our home bound clients. Between the two kitchens in Fayetteville and Hohenwald approximately 825 meals go out each morning. This is before the catering responsibilities start to kick in.

The catering service is the work horse of the Nutrition Department and generates the income that pays for equipment when it is needed, utility maintenance and labor cost of each job. The remaining money or “profit” goes right back into the Nutrition program. Those dollars that are put back into the program are what allows for the congregant meals to be served 5 days each week. Without this money from catering, those seniors would only have those hot meals 4 days a week. These meals that are provided are much more than just a nutritious lunch. Studies have shown the importance of human face to face contact for our seniors. These connections have been shown to lessen the chances of becoming depressed and having feelings of isolation. The sense of community that the sites provide along with the daily visits can mean the world to some of our seniors. If you have ever had an opportunity to volunteer in one of the sites you know how important it is to have this available. This program, both the congregant sites as well the meals that are delivered, plays an important role in allowing seniors to remain in their homes where they feel comfortable and safe. On average, catering works 20 jobs per month. January and July are the slowest months and in January it is definitely needed following the hectic holiday months. In the month of December there were 27 catering jobs alone. Many are probably not aware that Becky and her crew not only prepare and cook the food for catering events, they also deliver when the event is outside of the agency, do all of the set-up and serve the food at their location. While it helps that they have a menu for clients to choose from, Becky is open to making specific food for clients to make it personal. I asked her how catering has grown since she first started the program and she pulled out two binders where the catering contracts are kept. The first binder she brought out was 2009 and it was in a small ½ inch 3-ring binder. Then she brought out the 2019 binder and they had to move to the large 3 inch 3-ring binder and it was full. In addition to all of this whenever we have an event at the Agency, like quarterly Board meetings, they cater those as well and this past year they also catered the agency Employee Day. There is no doubt there are many people who are aware of the great thing we have going on here at SCHRA with the catering department.

A typical day for Becky and her crew is normally just dealing with what may come up that particular day. The big difference for her is that these issues can come up in any of the 13 counties and 20 different congregant sites that we cover. They can include any issue one of the site managers are dealing with and could include having to go to that site to take over if one of the site managers is out ill. She also makes sure that both kitchens are running smoothly and that all food is ordered and ready to go . The Nutrition Department is made up of 2 main kitchens. In Fayetteville there are 5 people that work in the kitchen and three drivers who deliver food to the east side of the region and in Hohenwald there are 3 people that work in the kitchen and three drivers who deliver food to the west side of the region. Basically, we have 14 people that are making sure 825 people have a hot meal at lunch 5 days a week. This is one department that does not have an off day or off time. Now that the holidays are over, both Becky and Ashley are finally able to take some well-earned and deserved time off. Kudos to the Nutrition Department for another great year supporting our communities!

South Lawrence Head Start Grand Re-Opening

The South Central Human Resource Agency held a grand re-opening for the South Lawrence Head Start building on Thursday, October 24th.  State Representative Clay Doggett, County Executive T.R. Williams and SCHRA Board Member and County Commissioner Bert Spearman all entertained the children prior to the ceremony with book readings.  The South Lawrence Head Start building was previously home to the Iron City United Methodist Church which closed in June 1996.  The church allowed South Central Human Resource Agency and Head Start to lease the building beginning in June 2001.  On May 17, 2009, the Trustees of Iron City United Methodist Church deeded the building to the South Central Human Resource Agency Head Start Program.  There have been numerous renovations and improvements to the building that facilitate the continued support of the children and families in South Lawrence and Iron City.  The grand re-opening was to celebrate the new roof that was recently put on the building.  County Executive T.R. Williams read a proclamation for the re-opening reasserting the County’s support for the Head Start program and the families which it serves.  SCHRA Deputy Director Sara Brown was also in attendance for the grand re-opening and thanked the County for their continued support for the facility, the families and the children.

South Lawrence Head Start at Proclamation and Grand Re-Opening ceremony joined by State Representative Clay Doggett, Sara Brown, SCHRA Deputy Director, Lawrence County Executive T.R. Williams and Lawrence County Commissioner and SCHRA Board Member Bert Spearman

Books were read to the children prior to the ceremony by (photos left to right) Lawrence County Executive T.R. Williams, State Representative Clay Doggett and Lawrence County Commissioner and SCHRA Board Member Bert Spearman

SCHRA breaks ground on the new Bedford County Early Head Start Center

November roared in with frigid temperatures, but they were not cold enough to stop SCHRA from breaking ground on what will be the new Bedford County Early Head Start site in Shelbyville.  Ron and his crew spent many hours prepping the area and getting it ready for tear down.  When everyone showed up on Friday, November 1st, they were greeted with a tract hoe ready to go to work.  Before the demolition started, Paul Rosson, Executive Director said a few words about what the new building would do for the community as well as explaining that the new building will be almost twice as big as the old building, have two new playgrounds and additional parking.  He also thanked Shelbyville Mayor, Wallace Cartwright for all of his help in procuring the site for the building as well as for his support for the program in general.  State Representative Pat Marsh, Mayor Cartwright and Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham all took their turn helping to start the tear down, handling the tract hoe like pros. 

This building was originally a Head Start site.  Due to dwindling program numbers in the County, the site was shut down at the end of the 2017 school year and the children that remained were moved to one of the other three centers in Bedford County.  Laurie and here entire staff are thrilled to have the opportunity to have this new Early Head Start site and have been working hard to bring this project to life.  The plan is to be ready to welcome the children and moms into the new site in time for the start of the 2020 school year.  They are also hoping to expand with an additional Early classroom as well as a Head Start classroom.

Head Start Main Office Staff joined by State Representative Pat Marsh, County Mayor Chad Graham, Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright and Ron Teeples and his amazing crew before the demolition begins.

Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright, State Representative Pat Marsh and County. Mayor Chad Graham prior to their turns in the tract hoe to start the demolition.

DEMOLITION BEGINS!

Lincoln County Recovery Court Celebrates 2nd Graduation

Lincoln County’s Recovery Court held its second graduation ceremony on October 31, 2019.   It may have been raining and cold outside but inside the United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, warmth and happiness is what was felt. Tony Patterson, Program Director, talked a few minutes about the men and women who were going to be honored. He told family and friends who were in attendance how these people were his hero’s and how they were going to be the change for those that come after them. He challenged them to be there to lift the community up and show others that this can be done, and they can be successful.   Each of the graduates then came forward to explain what allowed them to make it through the program. Jordan said that the program had offered him many chances to start over again saying “ I do not want to be the same person I was anymore”. He said it had been a long journey and he was grateful for the people there along the road. Edward told everyone that the program had given him the ability to deal with being overwhelmed and allowed him to get back on his feet. He said, “I took drug court because I wanted to be different.” Dustyn commented that he was glad that Recovery Court gave him a chance to be a better person adding, “the drugs never let me have as much fun as I have now clean and sober.”   Lincoln County General Sessions Judge Andy Myrick, who leads Recovery Court preceding’s, had the highest praise for these graduates saying, “this group has gone from being defendants to being friends and I am going to miss them”. He also spoke about the program saying that it is helping to stop the repeat offenders he sees coming through his courtroom and added that he was very glad to be able to add more names to the plaque and hopes to continue to add more names.   Recovery Court is a partnership between the Judge, District Attorney, Defense Attorney, the Probation Office and SCHRA Justice Services Department . This is an opportunity for those who find themselves with the choice of continuing on their path or voluntarily joining a program to turn their life around. Those allowed into the program must be a non-violent offender and show the partners they would be an appropriate candidate. The program strives to enhance public safety and improve the communities quality of life by addressing the needs of the non-violent offender giving them the treatment to become positive, responsible members of the community and gaining healthy, sober and productive lives.