HSIPC: Head Start Bulletin--Head Start Highlights: National Head Start Fellowship Program Launched

By Dennis Gray, Program Specialist, Program Development Branch, Head Start Bureau

In November 1995, the Head Start Bureau and the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition (CECPR) jointly established the National Head Start Fellows Programs.

The program was created based on the Amendments to the Head Start Act of 1994 and the Advisory Committee on Head Start Quality and Expansion which envisioned a fellows program that would be part of a long-term quality improvement initiative for Head Start aimed at upgrading the skills and experience of promising individuals.

In announcing the fellows program, Helen H. Taylor, Associate Commissioner of Head Start, said, "As we prepare for the 21^st century, the National Head Start Fellowships will develop a cadre of leaders who have the experience and commitment to pass opportunity along to our next generation of Americans. The fellows program will support the growth and development of individuals who can make special contributions to the Head Start and early childhood development communities, and positively affect the lives of low-income children and families."

Carol Brunson Phillips, Executive Director of CECPR, added, "The importance of the Head Start Fellowships to the future of early childhood education can hardly be overemphasized. We believe that the knowledge and experience which these leaders will carry into their subsequent careers will yield direct benefits to America's young children for many years to come through improved practices and services within the profession."

The Fellows Program identifies and provides support for the growth and development of promising early childhood professionals from community-based organizations, State governments, and nonprofit organizations which work in program development, research, education, and policy making.

The Fellows will learn from nationally recognized leaders and contribute their energies and perspectives to the resolution of critical issues for children and families.

The program will provide selected individuals with firsthand experience in the process of leadership in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and instill a sense of personal commitment for contributing to the quality of programs and policy for young children and their families.

Applications for the first class of Fellows were received in February 1996. They were reviewed by the Commission on National Head Start Fellowships, a nonpartisan group of 15 leaders in the field of early childhood development and family services, and on September 1, 1996, the inaugural class began their work in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Washington, DC. It is expected that future placements may be made in DHHS Regional Offices, local and private entities concerned with services to children and families, and in other appropriate settings.

Through this program, 10 to 15 individuals per year for each of the five years of the initiative will receive training as part of this unique career building and learning opportunity to develop promising leaders in Head Start and early childhood development.

Fellowship information and application forms for the 1997-98 class are now available and are being distributed to Head Start grantees, national organizations, and individuals who request the materials. There are no age requirements, educational requirements, or professional categories used for the selection process except that the applicant must be working in the field of child development or family services on the date of application.

For an application packet, call the CECPR at (202) 265 -9090. The application deadline for the 1997-98 year is December 31, 1996.

Information and updates on the National Head Start Fellowship Pro gram will be disseminated on a regular basis.

1996-97 Head Start Fellows

Caroline Yellow Robe, Fort Belknap Head Start, Harlem, MT; Carmen Bovell, Fairfax County Public Schools Head Start, Annandale, VA; Marilyn Hosea, Community Housing Services, Pasadena, CA; Eugene Gousie, Puget Sound Educational Services District Head Start, Burien, WA; Kenneth Akwuole, Baltimore City Head Start, Baltimore, MD; Eva Carter, Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies, Oklahoma City, OK; Brigitte Rodgers, Los Angeles County Office of Education, Cerritos, CA; Maria Benejan, Agency for Child Development/Head Start, Brooklyn, NY; Rae Annette Anderson, Manhattan/Ogden/Riley Head Start, Manhattan, KS; and Susan Rohrbough, Office of the Governor, Columbus, OH.

Application Calendar and Procedures for Head Start Fellowships:

December 31, 1996: Application deadline. Application must be postmarked on or before this date to be accepted. There is an initial review for compliance with the application requirements, as well as preliminary assessment.

February 18, 1997: Approximately 30 candidates will be named National Finalists/Honorees.

April 1997: Finalists/Honorees will be invited to interview with the National Head Start Fellowship Commission in Washington, DC. Travel expenses will be paid by the Commission.

September 1, 1997-August 31, 1998: Inclusive dates of 1997-98 Fellowship year.

For information requests contact AskUs
We welcome your comments and suggestions, contact webmistress@headstartinfo.org
For website technical assistance contact technical@headstartinfo.org
To order publications contact puborder@headstartinfo.org

Office of Head Start

Please Note: Links on this site are verified monthly.
While links are evaluated before being included on this site, HSIPC is not responsible for the information presented on external sites.

Last Modified: 10/31/01


	Home \| Publications \| Partnership/Collaboration Information Center \| What's New?