By Amanda Caraway, Community Engagement Manager |

Ana and her family first came to ClackCoKids in 2021 when her daughter was accepted into the program and placed at one of our early learning centers. She also began working with a home visitor to get support and learn about valuable resources in the community.

When she learned about the parent-lead Policy Council, she decided to join and become more involved in her kids’ education. The Policy Council is a group of Head Start and Early Head Start parents and community members who help lead and make decisions about their program. The members are elected by the parents of children enrolled in the program.

Through her council involvement, Ana was able to learn more about Head Start and how the program works. While a member, she was invited to travel with staff to the National Head Start Conference.

Today, Ana is a mother of six children, and her involvement with ClackCoKids has had a positive impact on her family in many ways. By being in the program, she didn’t have to worry about finding safe and affordable childcare. She also found a lot of value in the program’s parent education classes and professional development training.

After meeting another mother who was working at ClackCoKids, Ana decided she wanted to be a Head Start teacher as well. Mentors in the program helped her apply and learn the skills she needed to join the team.

As a ClackCoKids employee, Ana feels confident and happy because she can spend more time with her family, and she knows her kids are being well cared for while she works. Through the program, Ana continues to learn new things and find opportunities to keep studying and growing in her career. She feels supported and receives encouragement from her fellow employees every day. She also knows that the agency cares about her and her family.

Ana says she has grown a lot as a person since joining the agency. She knows she can do what she wants in life and have a career she loves. She wants to be a good example for her daughters and other parents looking for opportunities to grow and thrive.

As a single mother, she tells other women, who fight every day to raise their families, that no matter the obstacles that life throws at you, always strive to achieve your goals. Giving up is not an option, and you are not alone. She is very grateful to ClackCoKids!