Kathleen Kilgore, of Meadows of Dan, has joined Solutions That Empower People (STEP), Inc. as assistant manager of Early Head Start/Head Start at the agency’s Patrick County site in Stuart.
Kilgore has many years of experience in early childhood education, including the last 24 with Head Start programs in Danville and Galax.
Most recently, she served as Child Development Specialist for Rooftop of Virginia CAP in Galax.
She holds a bachelor of science in human services with a major in child development services from Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey, two associate degrees, and a certificate in education and early childhood development from Danville Community College.
As assistant manager, Kilgore will work with the managers of STEP’s Early Head Start and Head Start programs to ensure quality programming and services. Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) are comprehensive education, health and nutrition programs specifically designed to help parents prepare their children for school in Franklin and Patrick counties.
They are designed to foster the healthy development of children from low-income families. STEP classrooms also provide the opportunity for the social, emotional, and intellectual growth along with health screenings, medical and dental support services.
The Head Start approach serves the entire family and seeks to empower both parent and child. Nearly 25 million pre-school aged children across the United States have benefited from Head Start since its inception in 1965.
STEP is a community action agency with services in Franklin and Patrick counties, and Bedford, Martinsville and Danville. Services including Early Head Start and Head Start; youth services (LIFES Academy and Project Discovery); senior services (Meals on Wheels, transportation); supportive services (re-entry, homelessness prevention); housing and weatherization; and financial services (tax preparation assistance, financial education, individual development accounts). STEP’s mission is to empower people to overcome barriers to economic, educational and developmental success within the communities it serves.
