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Children First Blog
Want to know the latest news?
You'll find it all in the most recent newsletter HERE!
You'll find it all in the most recent newsletter HERE!
May 26, 2018
Children First, Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start programs, celebrated the completion of its 200th award-winning Nurturing Dads class on Thursday, May 10. Over the past 20 years, the award-winning class has reached just shy of 2,000 fathers. The free 10-week course is modeled after The Nurturing Father’s Program, a [...]
May 26, 2018
(Longboat Observer- Katie Johns): Jo Rutstein thought she was picking up tablecloths and linens from Children First on March 23. But her husband, Stan Rutstein, and the staff of Children First had some other ideas as March 23 happened to be her birthday.
As Jo Rutstein walked into the room where she thought the linens were awaiting [...]
March 28, 2018
PHOTO CREDIT: Observer Media Group (Katie Johns) L-R: Chairwoman Heidi Thomas, Vice President of Philanthropy for Children First Jessica Rogers and chairwoman Daphne Walker
Longboat Observer (Katie Johns)- The ladies of All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church had a pep in their step March 21.
On Wednesday afternoon, models from the congregation took to the [...]
March 28, 2018
The Impact of the Giving Challenge
In 2016, the Giving Challenge enabled Children First to provide quality early childhood education and family strengthening services to over 600 children and their families. Children were able to learn in a safe space, receive the education and care they needed, and get their bellies filled with healthy [...]
March 12, 2018
SARASOTA, FL (WWSB) – It was the “big” kids reading to the “little” kids today to celebrate March being National Reading Month.
The kindergarten students from Hershorin Schiff Community Day School spent the morning reading to the preschool students at the Helen R. Payne Children First Center. A great way for the budding readers to get [...]
March 5, 2018
Check out the recent happening at Children First!
Download our Winter 2018 Newsletter
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Thank you CBS Tampa Bay for helping spread the word about two important grants we recently received that provide mental health and child safety support to our agency. We are grateful to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for this incredible support of our children, families, staff, and mission.
tampa.cbslocal.com
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has provided Children First with a $30,000 Equity and Access Grant supporting access to mental health care for Sarasota County’s most vulnerable young chi...
The #StaffSpotlight is on Jane Shaw, Early Learning Inclusion Coordinator as she shares her thoughts about working at Children First!![]()
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In her role, Jane works with children and families to ensure every child receives the services they need and assists classroom teachers with a child’s accommodations or modifications for learning success. She is truly a ray of sunshine and always has a smile to spare!
At Children First, there are many things we are thankful for: our children and families we serve, our committed staff, dedicated volunteers, and amazing supporters just like you, who make our mission possible each day. ![]()
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From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
Our #StaffSpotlight is on Bonnie Eskell, Early Learning Inclusion Coordinator!![]()
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Bonnie worked previously as an Early Childhood Development Specialist, helping to run daily operations at 4 Children First locations. She recently earned her M.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development from Capella University and joined our Comprehensive Services Team as an Inclusion Coordinator, where she works to support children and families in receiving the individualized services needed for success, both in school and in life.
Our #StaffSpotlight is on Miss Connie Vermette, lead teacher in the Red Crayon Classroom at our Dr. Marieb Early Learning Center!![]()
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Miss Connie has been with Children First for nearly 18 years and can always be counted on for a smile or helping hand. She is known for her positive, can-do attitude and can be found creating incredible memories with children both in the classroom and on the playground.
February 3, 2020
January 19th, 2020 – Children First, Inc., the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services in Sarasota County, is excited to welcome the new slate of board leadership for 2020. Lisa Giglio is the former co-owner of Freedom Boat Club, and has served as an early childhood educator and Director of Education [...]
February 11, 2020
February 11th, 2020 – By Kelly Ring
Every morning, you can find Eliezer and Wendy Rivera walking their daughter Sophia to class at the Dr. Elaine Marieb Early Learning Center in Sarasota.
“They teach them really good,” said Wendy. “They learn a lot of stuff.”
They are taking part in Children First. The program’s mission is to [...]
February 26, 2020
February 26, 2020 – by Kelly Ring
Sarasota senior uses love and kindness to enhance the lives of infants
SARASOTA, Fla. – For Joanna Tsoukos, there is nothing like a loving touch. She comforts babies at the Families First Institute in Sarasota. It’s an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and families.
Tsoukos is 85 years old [...]
March 25, 2020
Children First volunteer Tom Cook was presented with the Be More Involved Mason Dixon Award for Volunteerism at the 15th annual WEDU Public Media Be More Awards. A steadfast supporter, Mr. Cook became a finalist in the volunteerism category after receiving an outpouring of online votes and was selected as the ultimate winner by Mason [...]