Wyoming Child & Family Development featured in national training institute for outstanding services

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (PRESS RELEAES- GUERNSEY WY) -Executive Director, Danielle Wondercheck, Wyoming Child & Family Development, Inc. is proud to announce (WCFD) is one of two programs nationwide to have been chosen to be featured at the National Center on Parent and Family and Community Engagement ERSEA Institute on April 27, 2023, for the outstanding service and response during the COVID pandemic. Melissa Miller, Director of Health, Safety, & Nutrition states that “while COVID presented challenges, we focused on the children and families and looked for opportunities to grow with the times.” It is an honor to have been chosen. “Our mission, vision and values guide our efforts to provide high quality services.” – Marian Moates, Director of Program Services.

Nationwide there are over 2800 Head Start programs. WCFD is one of the programs that has been successfully operating and serving children and families since 1965. WCFD programs serve children and families in Crook, Campbell, Converse, Goshen,

Laramie, Platte, Natrona and Niobrara, and Weston counties in Wyoming. The communities we serve range from small to large, but our services remain consistent, “we strive for excellence, no matter how big or small.” – Kathy Nelson, Director of Preschool Instruction.

Partnerships are key to our successful 58 years of high-quality early childhood services. “Community Partnerships shape our services and make a difference for children” – Gina Olson, Director of Family Services. Our programs have always emphasized the role of parents and educational services that support improvements across all communities who are provided services. According to CFO, Brooke Miller, “we are celebrated because of the support of the communities and families we serve.”

The opening plenary will feature the WCFD Program Design & Management Team speaking about the successful operations of program services during the pandemic and specifically celebrating the efforts that kept families engaged and enrolled in programs. “WCFD is a team driven organization – it’s the TEAM that is making a difference.” – Mary Kugler, Assistant Director.

According to Director of Infant Toddler Instruction, Lacy Judkins, “we wouldn’t be complete without our staff, family and children – together they create our success.”

Danielle Wondercheck

Executive Director

Wyoming Child & Family Development, Inc. Full statement

“Wyoming Child & Family Development was honored in April, being one of two Head Start programs in the Nation invited to present on outstanding services during the multi-year pandemic.  Our Program Design and Managment team came together and presented live to a national audience of 4,200 people on the unique methods featuring health, safety and mental health that were developed to provide desperately needed in-person early childhood education services to a 9-county service area in Wyoming spanning over 29,000 square miles. Our services are critical to the communities we serve.  We not only provide high quality early childhood education services, but we also connect families to resources and work with them daily to improve communities in so many ways. We are proud to be fully operational and enrolled with waitlists in many service areas.  Our mission remains to grow children, staff and families through high-quality services.”

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