UAMS Head Start Facility Visited by National Head Start Director
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Head Start at Pulaski Tech recently hosted the national director of the Office of Head Start for a site visit.
During the meeting, Khari Garvin spoke to staff members, visited with teachers and children and toured the facility.
Tyra Larkin, UAMS Head Start program director, said her team prioritized showing Garvin how their daily operations align with his vision for Head Start centers.
Khari Garvin, national director of the Office of Head Start, has a fun conversation with some of the children at the UAMS Pulaski Tech Head Start center.
“We wanted to show the hard work our team devotes to providing quality services to families,” she said. “We enjoyed having Garvin and his team tour one of our locations. It was important to speak with Garvin regarding difficulties because the early childhood field looks very different after the pandemic.”
Additionally, team members spoke with Garvin about their specific programs, strengths and goals.
“It was also important to us that Garvin had a memorable visit where he could easily recall what he saw, most notably, when he’s in discussions relating to programs and services as various policies and regulations are being developed,” Larkin said.
“He seemed to enjoy his time with our leadership team, governing board members and staff. Garvin admired our forward thinking and actions to move past some of the barriers we face.”
According to Larkin, she received an in-depth email from Garvin in which he praised the staff, facility, their initiatives in central Arkansas, and especially the implementation of a full-year Head Start service model. Meanwhile, members of the center’s leadership team expressed that they were happy that Garvin, who is based in Washington D.C., stopped by to witness their story and how they execute their duties.
Garvin’s site visit materialized because he was in Little Rock to serve as the keynote speaker for the Arkansas State Head Start Association Collaboration Conference. He requested to visit a Head Start grantee in the area. Larkin, along with staff and numerous community partners, arranged for Garvin to visit the Little Rock site where Pulaski Tech used to offer classes.
Khari Garvin, national director of the Office of Head Start, shares a handshake with Denise Middlebrook, UAMS Head Start assistant director, during a site visit.
Following the successful meeting with Garvin, there’s an increased excitement to launch new programs and partnerships that will benefit the children and families of central Arkansas.
“We’re next aiming to implement our Change in Scope application while also keeping our full funding to increase the number of bachelor-level teachers on staff,” Larkin said. “We also want to partner with local high schools and colleges to join forces in developing interest in the early childhood field and offering courses and hands-on experience in early childhood — to create a pipeline for future educators.”