#Florida

ECMHSP’s YouTube Learning Channel: Bringing Our Teachers to the Home

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
4 min

ECMHSP’s YouTube Learning Channel: Bringing Our Teachers to the Home

For more than one month now, we have had to adjust to a new way of working. This temporary “new normal” has brought many challenges. But it also has provided us with wonderful opportunities to connect with our families in new and innovative ways. One of our new innovations was inspired by our Chief Executive Officer, Maria Garza. She envisioned an ECMHSP Learning Channel on YouTube. Her vision was brought to life by Christine Alvarado, Consuellis Hawkins-Crudup and educat

The National Emergency Brings Out the Best in Us!

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
6 min

The National Emergency Brings Out the Best in Us!

On March 17th, ECMHSP transitioned from in-center services to farmworker families in Florida to remote educational and nutritional support. This transition has required a tremendous effort on behalf of the entire project. One leader, among many, who has played a key role in navigating these uncharted waters is Christine Alvarado, our Chief Innovation Officer. Please read our recent phone interview with her. How did the senior management team at ECMHSP make the difficult de

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
4 min

Learning the Value of an Education

Irma and her husband are picking oranges in Wimauma, Florida. Picture was taken in 2011, while Irma is six months pregnant with her son Eduardo. Farmworker, Irma Mendoza, is an important leader at East Coast Migrant Head Start Project. She serves as the President of our Policy Council and as a member of our Board of Directors. We recently had the opportunity to learn more about her journey to the United States, her experience as a farmworker, and her hopes for the future. C

From the Fields to the Board Room: A Window Into the World of Board Member Nilda Soto

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
5 min

From the Fields to the Board Room: A Window Into the World of Board Member Nilda Soto

On February 18, Nilda Soto was elected to serve on East Coast Migrant Head Start Project’s Board of Directors. She has more than 30 years of experience working with our migrant farmworker community. Nilda is currently the Manager for the Farmworker Career Development Program with Polk County, Florida School District. The goal is to improve the lifestyle for migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Please keep reading to learn why she’s such a passionate advocate for our families.

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
3 min

A Brighter Future in Indiantown

At ECMHSP, we are proud to serve families who speak indigenous Mexican and Central American languages as their home language. These languages represent a large mix, including Mixteco Alto, Mixteco Bajo, Zapateco, Canjobal, Mam, Otomi, Nahuatl, Acateco, and Triqui. I recently interviewed Maria, whose daughter attends our ECMHSP Indiantown Center. Please keep reading to learn more about her story. Could you tell me about your family and culture? I’m from Concepción Huista, H

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
4 min

A Family’s Dedication to Serve Others

Belinda Verdin has been working with East Coast Migrant Head Start Project since 2006. Her story is unique, as she works with three of her siblings at the ECMHSP Chandler Mountain Center in Alabama. The family is very passionate about supporting the ECMHSP mission. Please keep reading to learn more about my interview with Belinda. Left to right: Belinda and Maria. Can you tell me about your background? In 1992, my family and I moved to the United States from Tula, Tamaulip

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
3 min

Advancing the Lives of Migrant Families

Angel Casiano, ECMHSP’s Director of Programs Operations – Florida, shares his experience working with the migrant community during the last 20 years. I invite you to learn more about his story in the following interview. What is your family’s background? I am from Puerto Rico. My mom is from Puerto Rico and my dad from Dominican Republican. I have 11 siblings and most of them work in the health industry. We have four doctors, three nurses, and one dentist. I left Puerto R

Giving Children a Head Start in Jennings, Florida

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
2 min

Giving Children a Head Start in Jennings, Florida

I recently had the opportunity to interview Sheri Anastasio, the ECMHSP Center Director in Jennings, Florida. Please keep reading to learn more about why her leadership at our Jennings Center is so important. Please tell me about your background. How did you start working for East Coast Migrant Head Start Project? I worked at a Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK) and was a Center Director for over five years at a private center. Upon receiving my bachelor’s deg

Okeechobee County School Superintendent Visits East Coast Migrant Head Start Project

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
2 min

Okeechobee County School Superintendent Visits East Coast Migrant Head Start Project

On February 27, East Coast Migrant Head Start Project had the pleasure of welcoming Okeechobee County School Superintendent, Ken Kenworthy, and Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Pat McCoy, to our Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Center in Okeechobee, Florida. Mr. Kenworthy and Ms. McCoy were hosted at the center by Center Director, Rosalind Brown, and Early Childhood Education Coordinator, Briceida Perez. Also, in attendance was Director of Program Operations, Angel C

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
4 min

A Head Start for the Badillo Family

I recently had the opportunity to conduct a phone interview with Iralda Badillo, one of our team members at the ECMHSP Bowling Green Center, located in Florida West. Keep reading to learn more about her professional growth since joining East Coast Migrant Head Start Project. Can you please tell me about your background? I was born in Mexico and came to the United States when I was eight-years old. We arrived in Jacksonville, Georgia during the tomato season. My parents work

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
7 min

All the News That’s Fit to Print

Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with The New York Times reporter, Jason DeParle. The topic of our conversation was East Coast Migrant Head Start Project’s experience with Head Start’s Designation Renewal System (DRS). This week, all that I shared with Jason was boiled down to a single cite: John Menditto of East Coast Migrant Head Start Project warns that harsh penalties may dissuade programs from serving especially disadvantaged populations like migrants. If you

A Warm “Thank You” from the Sunshine State

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
2 min

A Warm “Thank You” from the Sunshine State

Dear Reader, As ECMHSP looks back at the many accomplishments of 2018, one word comes to mind: gratitude. ECMHSP is so grateful for our dedicated staff and hardworking families at each of our offices and Head Start centers. They are the heartbeat of our organization — from the administrative offices in Raleigh, all the way down to our centers in Florida, where we have, once again, opened the doors at our centers to provide high-quality and comprehensive Head Start services t

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
2 min

Getting a Head Start on 2019

Sharee Harris is a preschool teacher at our ECMHSP Fort Pierce Center in Florida. She attended our administrative self-assessment in Raleigh last week. She shares her experience in this interview. What is your story at East Coast Migrant Head Start Project? My cousin told me about the opportunities at East Coast Migrant Head Start Project, so I applied straight out of high school. I was hired nineteen years ago, in December 1999, as a substitute teacher for the ECMHSP Fort

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
4 min

Driving Children to Success

Christina Arnold has been a part of East Coast Migrant Head Start Project since May of 2017. I recently had the opportunity to conduct a phone interview with her. Keep reading to learn more about why she’s such a key team member for ECMHSP. Can you please tell me a little bit about your story at East Coast Migrant Head Start Project? I had spent seven months as a substitute bus driver for the Hamilton County School District in Florida. One day during our regular morning m

Leveling the Playing Field for our Families

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
1 min

Leveling the Playing Field for our Families

Children learn and play in a safe environment at the Jennings Early Head Start Center. Yesterday, The Huffington Post published its video story on the ECMHSP Jennings Center in Florida. It features farmworker, Vianey Lopez, who serves as the President of the center’s Parent Committee. ECMHSP owes a debt of gratitude to Vianey for sharing her incredible story. It is truly amazing advocacy and a shining example of the parent leadership at ECMHSP! ECMHSP dedicated staff work

Advocating for Early Childhood Education at the National Level

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
3 min

Advocating for Early Childhood Education at the National Level

Daniel Jaime’s childhood memories always take him back to the fields. He was the youngest of five boys. His mother was a single mother, who despite facing many obstacles as a migrant farmworker, always stressed the importance of getting an education. Check out my recent phone interview with Daniel. Could you tell me a little bit about your background? I was born in Winter Haven, a city in Polk County, Florida. I was part of a migrant farmworker family. I recall spending

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
3 min

A Head Start for the Cendejas Family

I recently had the opportunity to conduct a phone interview with Rosa Cendejas, one of our team members at the ECMHSP Fort Pierce Center in Florida. Keep reading to learn more about her professional growth since joining East Coast Migrant Head Start Project in 1997. Could you tell me more about your background? I migrated from Mexico to the United States in February of 1986 and worked picking oranges in Fort Pierce, Florida for six years. In 1997, I first heard of East Coas

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
4 min

Going the Extra Mile in Florida West

Marimar Ramirez is the eldest of three children in a farmworker family. Her parents have been working in the fields for more than 20 years, and Marimar began to follow in their footsteps until one day, while working in the fields, a coworker told her about East Migrant Head Start Project. This conversation changed the direction of her life. Keep reading to learn more about Marimar’s story from my phone interview with her. Marimar and her daughter Natalia (7). Tell me a lit

Idalia’s Journey: From Harvest to Head Start

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
3 min

Idalia’s Journey: From Harvest to Head Start

When Idalia has flashbacks of her childhood, many of those memories take place in the fields. Some seasons she lived in Ohio, Michigan, and Texas. She is currently the Health Disabilities Services Coordinator at the ECMHSP Palmetto Center in Florida. I recently had the opportunity to learn more about her and the work she does for East Coast Migrant Head Start Project. Can you tell me a little bit about your background? My parents are both from Mexico and have been farmwork

Maria’s Commitment to Forming Parent Leaders

ECMHSP Website

Nov 3, 2021
3 min

Maria’s Commitment to Forming Parent Leaders

Maria Rodriguez is from Reynosa, a border city in the northern part of Tamaulipas, Mexico. She loves the work that she does as the Governance Assistant at East Coast Migrant Head Start Project in the Florida Direct Services – West Region Administrative Offices in Bartow, FL – and it shows! But Maria hasn’t had an easy life. Prior to working for ECMHSP, she was a migrant farmworker for nine years. Between March and September, she harvested tomatoes, watermelon, pumpkins, an

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