Ascend is proud to celebrate former Principal Lizbeth White on her appointment as the new Director of Head Start at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This national leadership role places her at the center of one of the most impactful early-childhood programs in the country, serving more than a million children and families each year.
Head Start, founded in 1965, is a federally funded program that promotes school readiness for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children from low-income families. Through comprehensive services including early learning, health screenings, family engagement, and social-emotional development Head Start supports children holistically during their most critical developmental years. Today, the program operates with an annual budget of approximately $12 billion, reflecting the federal government's continued investment in early childhood education and family well-being.
Director White brings a wealth of experience to this role. Before joining HHS, she served as a senior official in the administration of Governor Glenn Youngkin, where she worked on statewide education initiatives and policy development. Prior to her government service, Director White was a beloved Principal here at Ascend.
We congratulate Director White on this remarkable achievement and look forward to seeing the positive impact she will continue to make for children and families across the nation.