Program: Connecting Refugees With Head Start and Early Head Start: Introducing NHSA and Fors Marsh Toolkits

Description: In partnership with Fors Marsh, NHSA designed toolkits including customizable fact sheets, guides, flyers, social media ads, and posters to encourage the enrollment and employment of children and families with refugee status in Head Start. This webinar will provide an overview of Head Start programs and present the toolkits developed to the Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) and their affiliates.

Learning Objectives:

• Overview of Head Start programs
• Increase awareness and collaborate around connecting refugee families and children to Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
• Utilize toolkits to support connection efforts

Connecting Refugees Presenters:

Mark Weber provides 32 years of experience at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) challenging the status quo and creating meaningful change in Federal programs. Most recently he served as principal advisor and major policy-coordinating official on communications across public health, healthcare and in particular the human services portfolio of HHS agencies and offices. Examples of his work as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs include formulating and leading the first $300 million phase of the U.S. Government’s COVID-19 Public Education Media Campaign and leading communications work on the humanitarian response to the dramatic increase in unaccompanied children referred to HHS care by immigration officials. Prior to serving as HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs from January 2012 to July 2021, Mark Weber was the HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Director of Communications from September 1995 to January 2012 and a speechwriter in the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health from October 1989 to September 1995. Mark Weber achieved a bachelor’s degree in marketing management from Virginia Tech in 1987 and a master’s in business administration from George Washington University in 1995. He has documented and published much of his work in peer reviewed journals and received numerous awards throughout his career at HHS.

Jennifer Larson, a former Head Start parent, has seamlessly transitioned from beneficiary to advocate, dedicating 31 years to supporting others in the early childhood field. Starting as a parent in a Head Start program, she rose to become the Associate Head Start Director of Child Care Resource and Referral/Families First of Minnesota. Throughout her journey, Ms. Larson completed her Elementary Education degree, obtained her Minnesota Teaching Licensure, and became a trainer for the development program at Minnesota Department of Education. Her diverse experience includes teaching in a classroom, building relationships with parents as a home visitor, coaching staff, supervising, and training. Ms. Larson’s personal experience underscores her dedication to improving the lives of children, families, and communities served by the Head Start program.

Malath Alarnosi, originally from Iraq, serves as a dedicated Case Manager Supervisor at Canopy Northwest Arkansas (NWA), assisting refugee families during their resettlement in NWA. Central to her role is facilitating the enrollment of these families in the Head Start program, helping them to navigate both the triumphs and obstacles of the process to ensure ongoing cooperation and support.

Kisha McCray is the Senior Manager of Academy Resources at The National Head Start Association. In 2005, she began her journey working as an Early Childhood teacher and in 2007 she discovered her love for Head Start and has held various positions to include Family Advocate, Family Services Supervisor, Health Coordinator, Director of Child Health and Wellness, Director of Child Development and Health, Program Director of Health, Family, and Community Partnerships, and Associate Executive Director. Kisha has spent years advocating for early childhood education and early intervention services through working for Early Head Start, Head Start, and other agencies that support pregnant mothers and the birth through five populations and their families. She has previously served as a member of the public policy committee for the Maryland Head Start Association and Coordinator for the Maryland Health Managers Network. She has completed HS University’s Program Design and Management Credential, Yale School of Management Women’s Leadership Program and UCLA’s New Director Mentor program. Kisha has a commitment to community service, community development, and empowerment and has dedicated her life both personally and professionally to engaging the unserved and empowering the marginalized.

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