LEADERSHIP in STAFF TRAINING, RETENTION and GROWTH

Celebrating the success of Head Start’s two-generation approach

WHEN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE programs are designed to build the well-being of children and the adults in their lives together, the resulting structure is stronger and better for both generations.

Moving to the United States from South India, Tina Grounder arrived with little knowledge about her new country or its educational system. Fortunately, she connected with Southwest Human Development where she enrolled her son Jason in Head Start—and later her son Nathan. Tina credits Head Start for giving Jason the strong educational foundation that enabled him to continue excelling academically and earn a scholarship to Harvey Mudd College. During the time Jason was in Head Start, Tina was learning beside him, from the significance of health and dental checkups to the importance of reading and educational play. Coming from a country where college was not encouraged for girls, Tina believed that marriage and motherhood had ended any hope for higher education. That thinking began to change as she became inspired by her Family Support Specialist, a working mom who was balancing multiple responsibilities. After taking the bold step of stating education as a goal in her Family Partnership Agreement, Tina began taking classes at Phoenix College. By 2020 she had earned an associate degree and in 2023, Tina proudly graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree and a cybersecurity specialty.

Throughout her educational journey, Tina actively advocated for the Head Start program. She attended two National Head Start conferences, where she shared her inspiring story with members of Congress. She also served on the Head Start Policy Council for five years and is currently a member of the Southwest Human Development Board of Directors. Looking back, Tina can see how those leadership experiences boosted her confidence in being able to realize her goals and enabled her to be an empowering figure for other parents. Tina sees the Head Start program as a safe haven, a place where parents can ask questions and receive the support they need. Seeing how much she has grown, Tina takes immense pride in the unwavering determination that took her across the finish line and all that she has accomplished. Both Jason and Nathan call her their “rock star mom,” and she loves knowing how much Jason enjoys bragging about his mother’s graduation to his friends—and to his college professors!