The YWCA Metro St. Louis has received national recognition for its Head Start programs, a distinction shared by only 12 other programs in the country.
The National Head Start Association has awarded the organization a National Program of Excellence accreditation, a recognition earned by a select few Head Start and Early Head Start programs that consistently demonstrate excellence in program management and service performance. YWCA Metro St. Louis, the largest provider of Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the region, was the only one in Missouri singled out for the honor. The accreditation, awarded last month, extends through 2027.
The recognition comes following a year that has seen the organization rebuild its leadership team under Dr. Cheryl Watkins, as well as enhance its service programs and work to increase employee satisfaction.
Gazelle recently spoke with Watkins, president and CEO of YWCA Metro St. Louis.
A physician by training, Watkins is an entrepreneur with a proven, successful track record of creating, managing and growing businesses in corporate, nonprofit and start-up environments.
GAZELLE: What does the Head Start National Program of Excellence designation mean for YWCA St. Louis?
WATKINS: First, I want to say that you have to be invited into this rigorous process by the National Head Start Association. That itself is a big deal. There are 2,100 EHS/HS programs across the nation; 25 were invited into the process and we were one of only 13 in the country and the only program in our state to achieve this outstanding accomplishment.
To earn this accreditation, YWCA had to meet 41 indicators of excellence covering all aspects of operations – leadership, financial stewardship, governance, partnership with families, highest quality staff and more.
This accreditation tells our funders and donors that we are exemplary stewards of their investment; it tells families that despite their economic challenges, their children are receiving high quality and equitable pre-K education in the YWCA program, and it tells our partners, such as 39 North and Cortex Innovation Districts, that they’ve joined forces with best program to build Early Childhood Excellence Centers in their neighborhoods.
GAZELLE: How do you hope to use this recognition as a way to move the Head Start program forward?
WATKINS: Organizations and individuals want to bet on a successful team that communicates its results and achievements. This confirmation that we are experts in the field of early education will attract funders and partners that will enable us to expand our support for our children and families. We will also use it to recruit the best and brightest teachers and support staff – people who are interested in shaping children’s lives and helping to change the trajectories of our families. And when we improve the lives of our families, we improve and strengthen our community.
GAZELLE: What has been most challenging for the organization emerging out of the pandemic?
WATKINS: The past year has been a building year for us – I just celebrated my first anniversary with YWCA in July. Our staff has been rebuilding, rebranding and reimagining the ways we can serve our clients. We are focused on future-oriented, innovative problem-solving for our clients, and we are juggling many projects that will strengthen our agency and improve our services in the near and long term. The pandemic and the fear present in this post-Roe environment has increased the number of calls to our 24-Hour Help Line. We are helping women understand how to access the services they need, and we are hiring professional staff across the agency.
Founded in 1904, YWCA Metro St. Louis has grown to serve more than 10,500 women and families each year. Its Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide early education and care to more than 1,400 preschool-aged children and 200-plus infants and toddlers at YWCA and its partner facilities across St. Louis city and county.
The YWCA 24-Hour Help Line is (314) 531-7273.
For more information, visit the YWCA Metro St. Louis website.
