Two local Head Start representatives were invited to Washington, D.C. recently to present Congressman Denver Riggleman with an award.
Ferrum resident Casey Hurst, who has a child in the Head Start program at STEP (Solutions That Empower People), Inc. and Kris Landrum, STEP Marketing and Communications Director, presented the congressman with the PROMISE (protecting our most important students early) Award during a National Head Start Association Breakfast on the Hill event last week attended by Head Start staff, parents and supporters from across the nation.
Head Start is a comprehensive education, health and nutrition programs specifically designed to help parents prepare their children for school and to support family development in low-income families. STEP is the agency that offers the program in Franklin and Patrick counties.
Congressman Riggleman, who represents the Fifth District in the US Congress, has shown support for the Head Start program and visited the STEP Franklin County Head Start program in October. He was honored with the PROMISE Award for his leadership on the bipartisan Dear Colleague letter that highlighted the importance of leveraging Head Start to support whole families in addressing childhood trauma and substance use disorder.
“We know we have a friend in Congressman Riggleman and are grateful for his support of the Head Start program, both locally and nationally,” said Landrum. “Being invited by the National Head Start Association (NHSA) to present this award was a real honor.”
