Beth Fleshman named Illinois Head Start Administrator of the Year

[March 11, 2011]  Beth Fleshman, director of the Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois, was awarded as Administrator of the Year by the Illinois Head Start Association at their annual meeting in Springfield. The award was presented by the president of the association. Fleshman was nominated by her management staff.

Fleshman has been with Community Action Head Start since June of 2001 and has held the position of Head Start director since June of 2009. She has a bachelor's degree in education and taught in school districts in Bloomington and the Lincoln area before joining Community Action.

"We are so glad that Beth is being recognized for her hard work and dedication for Head Start and the families we serve," said Angela Stoltzenburg, executive director of Community Action. "Beth's passion for the families we serve is evident. Under her leadership the Community Action Head Start program has provided expanded opportunities for the children and families we serve, such as the ICAN grant, which provided medical education to families in an effort to decrease unnecessary emergency room visits and increase parent confidence in the care of their children."

In addition to Fleshman’s award, two Community Action Partnership members were named to the state association's board of directors. Stoltzenburg and Marcia Hieronymus, both of Lincoln, will represent the Head Start program coordinated by Community Action in the parent, staff and friend components.

The Illinois Head Start Association Annual Training Conference was Feb. 28-March 4 in Springfield. Featured speakers were Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon and Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association. The conference was attended by the Community Action Head Start management team.

The Illinois Head Start Association was incorporated in 1978 to represent and provide services for all members of the Head Start community: directors, staff, parents and friends. The association is committed to enhancing the development of children, empowering families and strengthening communities. In an advocacy role, the association speaks in a unified voice and acts on issues affecting children and families.

Community Action Head Start serves 338 children and families in six central Illinois counties. Applications are being accepted now for the upcoming school year. Interested parents should contact their local Community Action Head Start center or the Head Start enrollment specialist at 217-732-2159, ext. 250, for more information.

[Text from file received from Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois]