Governor Brian P. Kemp's Head Start Proclamation

HEAD START AWARENESS MONTH IS HERE!!!

October| Issue

Governor Brian Kemp Issues Head Start Proclamation in Honor of Head Start Awareness Month

This month, we highlight the wide variety of services Head Start and Early Head Start programs offer enrolled children and families. We are working toward an America where children, youth, families, individuals, and communities are resilient, safe, healthy, and economically secure.

Head Start programs support growth and learning for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children across all domains of development, and health and wellness for enrolled pregnant women. These comprehensive services include a focus on family support toward economic mobility; research-based curricula that foster a child’s approach to learning; healthy physical activity and nutrition; support for social and emotional development; full inclusion of children with disabilities and delays; and connections to a medical and dental home and screenings. Parents participate as leaders in Head Start programs by giving input on program activities and operations. Head Start programs partner with families in a variety of settings, including centers, family child care spaces, and children’s own homes. Since 1965, Head Start programs have provided services to more than 37 million children. Join us in celebrating Head Start Awareness Month and the ways Head Start programs leverage comprehensive services for children and families.

We thank our Governor and his staff for this Proclamation and Georgia's commitment to young children.

Georgia's Governor Recognizes Susie D. Wilcher in Head Start Proclamation

COMMENDATION

WHEREAS: For more than 40 years, Susie D. Wilcher has been a human services champion empowering individuals, families, and communities to succeed. She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to changing people’s lives and improving communities, especially Washington County NB & PW Club, Inc.

WHEREAS: During her tenure with The Georgia Head Start Association, the organization has become one of the most respected regional and national grantees in both the human services and Head Start networks. Head Start the nation’s oldest and most successful school readiness program providing comprehensive services to low-income children and their families. In her capacity as a Georgia Head Start Association board member, she engaged with developing innovative community and state collaborations and enhanced its two-generational approach for serving children and families; and

WHEREAS: Susie D. Wilcher has given distinguished service as the Georgia Head Start Association President, committee chairperson, as well as an officer and board member for Georgia Head Start Association.

THEREFORE: I, Donnis Pace, President of the Georgia Head Start Association, upon reflection of her illustrious career and dedication to Head Start do hereby honor MS. SUSIE D. WILCHER

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Georgia Head Start Association to be affixed this 11st day of August, 2022.

Susie D. Wilcher

Susie D. Wilcher, Sandersville, returned to the open arms of her creator on Saturday, August 6,2022 at the Washington County Regional Medical Center, Sandersville, GA.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 11,2022 at p.m. at Springfield Baptist Church, Sandersville, GA . Rev. Calvin Hatcher officiated. Burial followed in the Neeler A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Davisboro, GA.

Susie Wilcher was born in Sandersville, Georgia to the parentage of the late Mr. Harold Duggan, Sr., and Mrs. Alois P. Duggan.

She had been the Executive Director of Washington County NB & PW Club, Inc., Head Start/GA PreK for over 40 years. Ms. Wilcher served as the Chairperson of the Issues Advocacy and Legislative Committee as a member of the Georgia Head Start Association Board of Directors and instrumental in bringing awareness of Head Start in Georgia during the annual Head Start Day at the State Capitol.

Susie is dearly missed by all of her Head Start and Georgia Pre-K colleagues and friends, and the Washington County community including the staff at the Washington County Negro Business and Professional Women's Club.

Full Proclamation

Special Highlight: Early Head Start Rising Project

The Early Head Start Rising Vision

In 1995, the creation of Early Head Start (EHS) marked a commitment to extend the Head Start model of whole-child and whole-family support for three- and four-year olds to pregnant women, infants and toddlers. Yet, the EHS model has only grown incrementally and today reaches only 1 in 10 income-eligible children. In fact, there is a 450,000 gap between funded Head Start and Early Head Start slots. Similarly, our nation’s investment in high-quality and affordable infant and toddler child care has been far too modest and resulted in a fragile child care system.

Just as Head Start served as the model for the creation and expansion of state pre-K, we believe Early Head Start can serve as the model and catalyst for expanded infant and toddler care and support.

In 2021, GHSA worked with the National Head Start Association, the Georgia Head Start Collaboration Office, Transform Consulting Group and a team of Georgia early childhood Advocates and in January 2022 produced Early Head Start Data briefs to educate legislators, stakeholders, and the general public about the need and benefits of Early Head Start. Please visit our website to review the data briefs by clicking below:

Early Head Start Dash Board.