Kathleen Sullivan, MACD, the Vice President of Programs at Children First, has been elected to serve on the National Head Start Association's (NHSA) Region IV Board of Directors. In her role, Ms. Sullivan will help to oversee Head Start’s Region IV, the southeastern United States, representing more than 170,000 children, 40,000 staff and 300 member programs.

Representatives of the Region IV Head Start Association (RIVHSA) Board of Directors are elected for a term of two years but no more than four consecutive terms. Members are comprised of two directors, two staff, two parents, and two friends elected by their respective membership groups within the Association.

As Vice President of Programs at Children First, Ms. Sullivan oversees the Head Start and Early Head Start Education programs at multiple locations across North Port, Sarasota, and Venice, which provide high-quality early childhood education to hundreds of children, ages birth to five, and their families each year.

With more than 30 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field, her focus is on educational practices that emphasize interpersonal relationships, cultural diversity, child-centered curriculum and the inclusion of children with diverse needs in all educational programs.

Ms. Sullivan holds a master's degree in childhood development from Tufts University and a bachelor's degree in Hispanic studies from the University of Southern Maine. Ms. Sullivan is also the author of three works on early childhood education and development and is a speaker at the local, state, and national level on child development.

In addition to her new role on the RIVHSA Board of Directors, Ms. Sullivan is a UCLA Anderson School of Management Head Start Fellow and has served on the Florida Office of Early Learning Racial Equity Task Force and Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County Board of Directors.

“I feel deeply fortunate to be a part of such a dynamic organization, leading alongside a diverse and experienced board of directors with a passion and dedication to RIVHSA’s mission. Together, we strive to model an exceptional board-staff partnership and provide strategic leadership to advance the association as a whole,” says Ms. Sullivan.

About Children First:
Founded in 1961 and 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 15 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, emotional, and cognitive skills needed to enter kindergarten and elementary school on track. For more information, call (941) 953-3877 or go to childrenfirst.net.

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