Even Start
Director: Carla Jessup

Even Start is a family literacy program that provides funds to help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by improving educational opportunities of low-income families by integrating early childhood education, adult literacy and parenting education into unified family literacy program.

Even Start places a major emphasis on 4 components:

1.     Adult education (GED, Dodge County High School, HGTC) - English Language Classes
2.     Early childhood education (Even Start infant/ preschool program) - PreK, DCS
3.     Parenting education ( Munch & Learn, Parents As Teachers Visits, TEENS as Parents Support Group)
4.     Interactive literacy activities (Parent/ Child activities completed in the classroom daily)

The objectives of Even Start specify that the program should 

-Be implemented through cooperative projects that build on high-quality existing community resources to create a new range of services;
-Promote the academic achievement of children and adults
-Assist children and adults to achieve the standards set by the state for content and skills
-Implement instructional programs based on scientifically-based reading research which will address the prevention of reading difficulties.

Community partners include:

Carla Jessup

Carla brings to RESA 17 years of experience in education. She assumed position as Even Start Director in October 2006, previously serving as Even Start Family Service Coordinator. She has also served as Parental Information and Resource Center Coordinator since 2002. Before coming to RESA she was a classroom teacher at North Dodge Elementary for more than 10 years. Carla serves on the boards of Dodge Connection/ Communities In Schools, Healthy Start, and Dodge County Chamber of Commerce. Carla received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southwestern College.
E-mail: carla@hgresa.org
Fax: 478-374-4550       Office: 478-374-5060

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Susan Williams

Susan brings more than 17 years of experience in childcare to Even Start. Susan worked at several local daycares before joining the Even Start staff. She received a certificate in child development from Heart of Georgia Technical College in 2003. Susan works in the Preschool room and has been with the program for 4 years.

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Cynthia Northcutt

Cynthia has been with Even Start for 4 years. She received a diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education from Heart of Georgia Technical College where she was elected into the National Technical Honor Society in 2004. Cynthia previously worked at the Boys and Girls Club before joining Even Start. Cynthia works in the Preschool room and drives the bus.

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Chona Ragan

Chona has been with Even Start for 5 years. She received her diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education from Heart of Georgia Technical College in 2006. Chona brings to Even Start many years of experience in childcare, having worked as a nanny while living in her homeland, the Philippines and at a local daycare after moving to Eastman. Chona works in the Infant room at Even Start.

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Ann Sapp

Ann joined Even Start in October 2006, working in the Infant room. She has experience substituting in the Dodge County School System and at Even Start for 2 years. Ann has many years of experience in childcare,  including 7 years operating her own home daycare.

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Julie Peacock began working with Even Start as adminstrative assistant in November 2006. She has since assumed the position of family service coordinator.

Diana Jones began her duties as administrative assistant in December 2007. Diana is enrolled at Mercer University in the Early Childhood Education field.

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Links: www.parentcenter.com
 www.evenstart.org
www.hgtc.org
 www.famlit.org