Child Care Associates Names New Co-Directors of Head Start and Early Head Start programs

Fort Worth, Texas, September 2, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Child Care Associates (CCA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Patricia Looper and Kumisha Saffold as new Co-Directors for its Head Start and Early Head Start programs, serving more than 2,500 children throughout Tarrant County.

Both longtime employees of CCA, Looper will oversee programs at CCA’s 34 centers throughout Tarrant County and 80 partnership classrooms with six area school districts; Saffold will oversee performance and program management systems for the Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

"Our new Co-Directors will direct programs across Tarrant County that support at-risk children to start school with an equal chance at academic and life success."

Kara Waddell, President/CEO

“We are excited to broaden our management team and continue growing partnerships within the community,” said CCA President/CEO Kara Waddell. “Patricia and Kumisha have excellent track records at CCA, strong ties to the community and the ability to build effective partnership structures. Our new Co-Directors will direct programs across Tarrant County that support at-risk children to start school with an equal chance at academic and life success.”

Looper has been with CCA for more than 23 years with its division of Child Care Management Services (CCMS), serving as its director for the past nine years. CCMS manages child care subsidy assistance for low-income families in Tarrant County along with quality improvement activities for community child care programs. As CCMS director, Looper was responsible for all operations of Tarrant County’s subsidy system, including planning, budget, finance, compliance, staff development and quality improvement.  She has a BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Texas and an AA in Education from Weatherford College.

With CCA for the past eight years, Saffold brings 12 years of Head Start experience in both coordination and management roles with emphasis on quality assurance and program management. She holds a Masters in Education from the University of Phoenix and a BS in Child Development and Family Studies from Alcorn State University in Mississippi. Saffold also has a Mid-Manager Certification from the National Head Start Academy and an ERSEA Level I-II Certification.

About Child Care Associates

Child Care Associates (CCA) is one of the largest private non-profit child development organizations in the region, operating 34 child development centers throughout Fort Worth and Tarrant County. CCA manages Head Start and Early Head Start programs, as well as child care programs, child care subsidy assistance and special initiatives in Tarrant County and west central Texas, all focused on supporting early childhood development. Additionally to support school readiness, CCA has active collaborations with 80 classroooms and six Tarrant County school districts where ISD and CCA teachers work side by side in delivering dynamic educational programs to low income preschool children.