Children First, Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start programs, has named A. James Rolfes, Esq. as Board Chair for 2017. Rolfes was Board Chair previously in 2008 and has also served as a Director in recent years. The Board also includes: Jeff Jackson, Vice-Chair; Audrey Coleman, Secretary; Carol A. Hallinger, Treasurer; Lacy Ray Jr., Chair Emeritus; and Directors Thomas W. Cail III, Alan LaFoy, Elenor Maxheim, Samantha Meier, O. Wayne Rollins and Nancy E. Thomas. At its last Board meeting, Children First thanked outgoing Directors Barbara Benson and Brock Leach for their service to the organization.
About Children First:
Founded in 1961 and designated as one of the top 10 Head Start programs in the country, out of 1,800 similar programs nationwide, Children First strengthens children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health and well-being. At 13 sites throughout Sarasota County, Children First offers full-day preschool, infant and toddler care, as well as nutrition and health care assistance, to children ages birth to five years old from low-income families. Through Children First, the children receive the social and cognitive skills needed to enter kindergarten and elementary school on track. For more information, call (941) 953-3877 or go to childrenfirst.net​.