Patricia Ward of Gretna, Early Head Start Manager for Solutions That Empower People (STEP), Inc., as earned a master of education in teaching and learning from Liberty University.

As EHS manager she oversees the Early Head Start programs in Franklin and Patrick counties. Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded community-based program for low-income families with infants and toddlers, and pregnant women. Its family-driven philosophy empowers parents to support and nurture their children while meeting other critical social and economic goals, including promoting healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women; enhancing the development of very young children; and promoting a healthy family environment.

Ward joined STEP in 2017 and has 16 years of experience working in the field of education, most recently a 14-year career as a Head Start teacher with Pittsylvania County Community Action in Chatham. She also taught at Altavista Elementary School as an assistant teacher and lead teacher for the Altavista YMCA.

In addition to the master’s degree, she holds a bachelor of science degree from Old Dominion University and an associate degree from Central Virginia Community College. She received a provisional license from the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2014.

STEP (Solutions That Empower People) is a community action agency with services in Franklin and Patrick counties, and Bedford, Martinsville and Danville.