Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Kara Peters Named Staff Member of the Year

GREENFIELD — On March 28, Kara Peters, Enrollment manager for Community Action Pioneer Valley’s (CAPV) Head Start and Early Learning Programs (HS & ELP), received the Staff Member of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Head Start Assoc. She was celebrated for her 23 years of service to our community, exceptional leadership of her staff, and her key role in HS & ELP reaching and maintaining full enrollment.

Beginning during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, HS & ELP and early-childhood programs across the state and country experienced low enrollment due to shortages of highly qualified staff. As of April 1, CAPV’s Head Start and Early Learning Programs marked six months of meeting federal standards for full enrollment (more than 97% enrolled).

“The work of Head Start begins with a strong enrollment team to build relationships with families in our community and welcome them into our program,” said Anat Weisenfreund, Head Start director. “While everyone in our program has helped us to be fully enrolled over the last six months, Kara has provided essential leadership toward this goal, and we are so glad to see her get recognized.”

Clare Higgins, CAPV executive director, noted that “Head Start is a two-generational program that has helped thousands of families in our region over the past 60 years to forge a foundation for early learning and development and long-term success.”

Added Peters, “I am beyond honored to be receiving this award for doing a job I love so much. I believe in what we do for families in our community and truly enjoy leading my enrollment team in partnering with those who would benefit from Head Start the most. I see how passionate all of our staff are and how hard everyone works in support of children and families, and I wish I could share this award with all of them.”

As her staff wrote in their recommendation letters for the award, “she holds her team in the highest regard, treats them with great respect, and sets the highest of standards with them … I cannot fathom a stronger candidate for Staff Member of the Year. Her passion for the well-being of this program and the people we serve is immeasurable.”