Children First, the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County, is proud to announce that Angela De La Rosa, Families First Institute Manager, has been selected for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce 2025 Adult Leadership Class.

As part of the Leadership Class, Ms. De La Rosa demonstrates her commitment to community development, innovation, and leadership excellence. Class members were chosen for their exceptional achievements and potential to contribute significantly to Sarasota's future growth and prosperity and beyond.

In her role at Children First, Ms. De La Rosa is responsible for designing and implementing all aspects of the agency’s award-winning Families First Institute in order to support parents as the primary educators, nurturers and advocates for their children. She also assists parents in achieving greater self-sufficiency and obtaining additional skills for successful parenting.

“We are incredibly proud of Angela’s acceptance into Leadership Sarasota,” says Philip Tavill, CEO of Children First (Leadership Class of 1993). “Her dedication to our community and her outstanding work with our families make her a perfect fit for this prestigious program. We also extend our congratulations to the entire 2025 Leadership Class. Their collective commitment to creating meaningful impact is inspiring.”

The Leadership Class of Sarasota offers a unique opportunity for these leaders to immerse themselves in the challenges and opportunities facing the community, fostering connections and skills that will drive positive change.

About Children First:

Founded in 1961 and having been ranked in the top 1% out of over 1,800 Head Starts nationwide, Children First strengthens children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health, and well-being. At multiple sites throughout Sarasota County, Children First offers full-day preschool, infant and toddler care, and nutrition and health care assistance to children ages birth to five years old from low-income families. 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 go to childrenfirst.net.

###