Sacramento Head Start Alumni Association

Head Start Success Stories - California

Feb 04, 2003

Lisa Ash
In 1994 Lisa Ash was enrolled in California State University Sacramento. Her eldest son, then 3, spent two years in the SETA on-campus Head Start program, and in 1997 her second son enrolled. She was studying to be a teacher but admiration for her Family Service worker inspired her to pursue a different career. A year later, she graduated from Sacramento State University with a bachelor?’s degree. As a family services worker she fell in love with social services. Lisa has been elected president of the parent committee at Neighborhood House Association in Carlsbad where her youngest children attend. Lisa applied to work for the program, and if she?’s hired, she says, ?“I don't ever plan to leave Head Start. It?’s a wonderful program for the kids, but it has been even more wonderful for this particular parent!?”

Samantha Blake

Samantha Blake, is the Head Start Coordinator for the Hemet Head Start State Preschool, a small program that serves mostly Hispanic families in Hemet, California. Samantha?’s 26-year-old son, a Head Start child, graduated this year from San Diego State with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Business. Samantha gives credit and thanks for his success to the Santa Clara Head Start Staff, but there?’s no getting away from it ?— Mom set a great example for him. Samantha earned her master?’s degree in 1994. ?“I am a perfect example of what a Head Start parent can accomplish,?” she says. By giving parents an opportunity, she says we can make an impact on our communities.
?“Like me,?” says Samantha, ?“there are many parents who are employees of the Santa Clara Head Start Program who are success stories. I want to encourage them to write about their experiences.?” Samantha plans to become a HeadsUp! Reading facilitator for the Spanish Program next year. ?“I have found that here in Hemet, parents are very eager to learn about Child Development and Literacy if given the opportunity.?”

Magaly and Ms. Coble
?“Head Start family child care?” means that Head Start services are provided in a private residence other than the residence of the child receiving such services. Head Start uses only licensed child care providers for such services. Some families may wonder, ?“What can the Family Child Care Option offer us??” Well, one little girl?’s family will answer, ?“An opportunity to receive a first rate education for our child.?”

North Coastal Family Resource Technician Velma Spikes says that providers go out of their way to help the children. One in particular, Rosita Coble, cared for a child named Magaly for two years. In the beginning, Magaly cried most of the day spoke no English. Her mother would say to Ms. Coble, ?“Should we move her somewhere else??”

Ms. Coble stood by Magaly, and during the two years she was enrolled in Head Start, Magaly began to use English and to excel in her academic skills. When the multi-disciplinary team members came for their monthly visits, Ms. Coble would show Magaly off because she knew at least half of the 50 states and was learning the state capitals, too. When it came time to enter kindergarten, Magaly visited Ms. Coble before and after school, so they could continue to work together on her academics. The Head Start Family Child Care staff kept up with Magaly?’s progress, and the latest news is that she received above average grades on her report card in phonics, mathematics, English, and reading.

Kris Deeter, M.D.
Four-year-old Kristina Marie Heer attended Shasta Head Start (SHS) in Redding, CA, where she lived with her parents and two younger siblings at the end of a long dirt road. Her family had recently moved to this rural area and times were hard, money was tight. She was a bright little girl, a quick learner who wanted to be a doctor when she grew up. The Head Start Program was just the place for Kris.

Even in her early years, it was evident to her teachers that Kris was a gifted child with great potential. In spite of economic challenges throughout her childhood and the divorce of her parents while she was still quite young, Kris excelled in everything she did. She began playing violin as a very young child and switched to cello in elementary school. She took a job as soon as she was old enough to work and still maintained a 4.0 GPA in advanced-placement classes throughout high school. Although her parents were unable to give much financial assistance for college, her own hard work resulted in scholarships and grants that enabled her to go to college, including one from the Region IX Head Start Association. Kris received her B.A. degree from the University of California-Berkeley, and graduated from New York Medical College. She received assistance with medical school costs from the National Health Services Corps (NHSC).

In addition to her academic talents, Kris has an artistic side. She performed in theatrical productions and concert symphonies throughout her school years. While in medical school, she participated in a choral group to raise money for AIDS research. But that's not all. At her graduation from New York Medical College, held in Carnegie Hall in May, 1998, Kris sang a solo of our National Anthem. Her fianc?©, Matt Deeter, graduated with her and they were married in June, 1998.

Kris was chief resident at the University of Texas-San Antonio Children?’s Medical Center. served two years for NHSC with a medically underserved population. Her long-term career goal is pediatric critical care. Kris exemplifies her earliest lessons in Head Start, giving back to the community through her service to young children and their families.

Leah Bell Hoffman & Dakota Hoffman
Leah and her 14-month-old son, Dakota, began their Head Start experience at the Parent Child Center (PCC) in San Diego. The half-day program was just what Dakota needed. A year later, Leah selected the Home Base option, and a home visitor came weekly to teach Leah and Dakota age-appropriate activities. Once a month, Leah and Dakota, socialized with other Home Base participants at the center. That was when Leah became involved with the Parent Policy Council.
When he turned 3, Dakota enrolled in the half-day program at Wiggin Head Start, and Leah served on the Parent Policy Council. With coaxing from the staff, Leah made the 40-hour per week commitment to become an AmerCorps*VISTA volunteer. ?“I was nervous because I hadn?’t worked in 22 years. I was concerned about my job skills and joining the work force.?” Next, she was hired as a Parent Involvement Aide for the Head Start Operations Division.
Today, Leah does trainings on governance. ?“With the trainings parents get in Head Start, they will be able to feel comfortable and understand what is going on in the meetings, making them more apt to participate with their child and the elementary school,?” she says
Leah is also an AmerCorps*VISTA project supervisor and proud that the AmerCorps*VISTA Renewal and Expansion grant applications were approved under her direction. ?“I?’ve made a big leap. I?’ve improved my self-esteem and my quality of life financially. I can take care of my family; it really feels good!?” she says, adding, ?“In our time with Head Start I don?’t know who has grown more; my son or myself??” At graduation, Dakota knew how to write his name and his friends?’ names. He knew his colors, he could add, and he had learned social skills. ?“He was totally ready for kindergarten,?” says Leah. ?“Dakota is a walking, talking Head Start success story.?”

Jaine Ryder-Howard
When Shasta Head Start found Jaine Ryder, she was digging in the hard, red dirt of a Redding, California summer trying to make something bloom. She was recently divorced, unemployed, living in substandard housing, and had no familial support system or adult human conversation. She had three children, all younger than 4. However, she did have an unwavering spirit and determination, not to mention a wild sense of humor. That year in Head Start, Jaine was on the Policy Council and volunteered regularly in her child?’s class. Within 6 weeks and with financial assistance from Shasta Head Start, she re-entered college to complete her AA degree in Early Childhood Education from Shasta College where she was quickly recognized for her intelligence and leadership; after that, there was no stopping her. Jaine qualified for several scholarships, which helped her to earn a BA and a teaching credential from California State University - Chico. Returning to where it all began, Jaine became the Educational Coordinator at SHS and an adjunct instructor at Shasta College.

In 1988, she became the Director of a corporate-sponsored child care facility for employees and community members who worked non-traditional hours. In 1991 she once again returned to Head Start as the first Infant-Toddler Specialist and manager of the newly funded PCC. Through her creative vision and wisdom, this program rapidly became the exemplary service in Far Northern, rural California.

Throughout these productive years, Jaine married Dan Howard and also pursued her spiritual education and passion and was ordained as a minister of the Church of Religious Science in 1992. For the last 5 years, she has been the minister of the Contra Costa Church of Religious Science in Lafayette and Concord, CA. Rev. Jaine Ryder is chairperson for the church?’s annual international conference and continues to gain recognition for her remarkable work. Jaine says of Head Start, ?“I do not know what would have become of me without it. It changed and saved my life. It offered that first step which gave me direction and courage. What I do now in the ministry is no different than what I did in Head Start; people just want to know how wonderful they are. That?’s what I loved about working with Head Start parents - they thought that they couldn?’t do it, and they did! Everything I learned about the ministry, I learned in Head Start?”. (Jaine?’s daughter, Kris Deeter, M.D. is also a Head Start Success Story.)

Kessler
When Head Start By The Sea was preparing to open its doors in September 2000, to serve pre-school children including those with disabilities, the program contacted a single father of 3-year-old twins about enrolling them. The father met with the staff and said that the boys were still in diapers and did not talk. ?“Is this normal??” he asked. The director and family services specialist said that most children are talking by age 3, but everyone develops at a different rate.

One of the twins, Kessler, was referred to Children?’s Hospital, where his evaluation placed him in the ?“mildly retarded?” range. Kessler didn?’t talk; he only pointed. His language skills approximated those of a 15-month-old. He was unable to concentrate on an activity for more than a few seconds and would repeatedly hit his head on walls, tables, and other objects.

The Head Start staff then referred Kessler to San Diego Regional Center, where children with disabilities receive support, and to the Encinitas School District for their special education program. Now, a counselor from S.D. Regional Center comes to Kessler?’s home once a week to give his dad counseling and to continue his parenting classes. Dad has completed all the parenting classes offered through the Head Start center, and Kessler is receiving special education instruction from the Flora Vista School.

Working with the plan developed from the Head Start Family Partnership Agreement, Kessler has improved in many areas throughout his two years in Head Start, and he continues to make progress. Today, Kessler plays with the other children, he knows his colors, and he is able to respond in a conversation. Now, he can sit at the center director?’s desk and say, ?“Go to work!?” Kessler is an affectionate boy, and all of the staff and parents love him. Because of the caring staff of Head Start By The Sea, Kessler is ready to go to kindergarten this fall.