Lutheran Services of Florida Staff Selected Head Start Staff of the Year by the Florida Head Start Association

TALLAHASSEE, FL – September 18, 2018 – The association representing Head Start programs in Florida selected Tabatha Hayes of Lutheran Services of Florida as their 2018 Staff of the Year for her outstanding service and dedication to Head Start and the children and families she serves.
 
Ms. Hayes has served in the field of Early Childhood for over 20 years. She has held many different positions including Center Director, Quality Assurance Specialist, Education Specialist, Teacher Assistant and Family Services Counselor.

Ms. Hayes began her Head Start career after serving proudly as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. She holds credentials from the National Association for Family Child Care Accreditation, the National Association for Certified Investigators and Inspectors, the National Early Childhood Play Inspectors, the National Child Development Associates, Florida Director’s Credential, VPK Director’s Endorsement, and she is a CLASS Infant/Toddler and Pre-K Reliable Observer.

Ms. Hayes is a member of several organizations that advance the cause of early childhood growth and development including: FHSA, National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Black Child Development Institute, National Child Care Association, National Family Child Care Association, Florida Association for the Education of Young Children, Florida Family Child Care Alliance, and the Jacksonville Family Child Care chapter.

Ms. Hayes finds her work very rewarding, “I enjoy sharing my knowledge of family engagement and poverty and diversity with parents and local communities. I have successfully collected data and analyzed the needs of our community to work effectively with parents and at-risk groups. I have established relationships with parents based on mutual understanding, trust and cooperation. This enables open communication and reciprocal dialogue with families and members of our community.”

The 2019 awards were selected by a panel and recipients will be honored during FHSA annual awards luncheon in West Palm Beach attended by Head Start/Early Head Start Directors, Staff, Parents and early childhood education leaders.

The Florida Head Start Association is a nonprofit organization working on behalf of the 41,000 children and families Head Start Programs serve in Florida. FHSA has been the voice for Florida's most vulnerable children and families since 1999 and is committed to enhancing and supporting the capability of local Head Start program in the delivery of high quality services for our children and families.