"Every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to reach their full potential."
This is the motto of Head Start, and it is imperative that we have passionate, caring, dedicated innovative leaders, leading the charge of the organization's initiatives. That stated, we are proud to learn that the Biden Administration has selected Virginia's own, Dr. Bernadine Futrell, to be the Director of the Office of Head Start.
Head Start meets the unique needs of young children through the following major components: Education, Health, Parent Involvement, and Social Services. Access to these components is an issue of significant importance to the Black community, and a topic at the forefront of many Black leaders in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
"Bernadine Futrell, Ph.D., is the director of the Office of Head Start (OHS) at HHS’ Administration for Children and Families. Dr. Futrell, a Head Start child, began her career as an assistant Head Start teacher in Richmond, Virginia. She came to OHS in the Biden Administration from the National Head Start Association (NHSA), where she was most recently the senior director for effective practice. Prior to NHSA, Dr. Futrell led superintendent certification programs at the American Association of School Administrators.
She is co-author of the book ConnectED Leaders: Network and Amplify your Superintendency, and a regular contributor in research studies. Committed to service, she is a member of the advisory committees at George Mason University and Howard University.
Dr. Futrell holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, a master’s degree in educational psychology from George Mason University, a Ph.D. in education policy from George Mason University and post-graduate certificates from Complutense University of Madrid and Harvard University. Dr. Futrell and her husband are the proud parents of two elementary-aged children." -Office of Head Start