Vision Statement

The Wyoming Head Start Association is an active, unified voice for quality early childhood education, encompassing whole family development and setting standards for the future.

Mission Statement

The Wyoming Head Start Association will serve as an advocate for Head Start programs and the children and families they serve, defining strategies, providing training and maintaining a network with other organizations whose efforts are consistent with the Wyoming Head Start Association. This will ensure high quality early childhood education for all children and provide parents with the tools to be primary educators for their children.

History

The Wyoming Head Start Association, Inc. (WHSA, Inc.) has been an active statewide organization since the late '80s. It is governed by the corporation's by-laws and a Board of Directors that is representative of all Wyoming Head Start directors, staff, and parents.

In 1989, there were five Head Start grantee agencies operating throughout the state. The main offices were located in Laramie, Cheyenne, Guernsey, Rawlins, and Worland.

Through the combined efforts of seven initial incorporators, WHSA, Inc. received its not-profit corporation status through the State of Wyoming in February, 1990.

During the same period, an application was also filed with the Federal Department of the Treasury; Internal Revenue Service for tax-exempt status as a 501 (c)(3) publicly supported organization. Upon completion of an advance ruling period, WHSA, Inc., received its tax exempt status in December 1994.

Since 1990, WHSA, Inc., has grown from a membership of the original five Head Start grantee agencies to ten. It currently represents over 3,000 individuals (ten Head Start directors, 484 staff and 2,500+ parents).

Association Leadership

• President: Allyson Montgomery
• Vice-President: Lety Liera
• Secretary: Betsy Schmick
• Treasurer: Denise Clark

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