New Director of Program Support Division for the Head Start Bureau
The Head Start Bureau welcomes Ann Linehan as the new Director of the Program Support Division at headquarters in Washington, DC.Prior to her arrival at the Bureau, Ann served as program manager for Head Start Region I for almost four years. She focused on the monitoring process to address key quality issues and to enhance program quality. She was also instrumental in helping to ensure the fiscal integrity of Head Start grantees throughout New England. Ann was selected to serve on two national conference design teams: the National Head Start Parent Involvement Institute and the Federal Monitoring Conference.
From 1982 to 1992, Ann was the Executive Director of Communities United, a Head Start program in Waltham, Massachusetts. During that time she provided leadership to the wider
Head Start/child care community within New England as Chairperson of the Massachusetts Head Start Director's Association. In 1990, for her extensive experience in managing local Head Start and other child service programs in New England, Wheelock College in Boston named her "Outstanding Head Start Director."Earlier in her career, in the 1970's, Ann coordinated comprehensive educational, medical, and social services for families whose children had developed illnesses or had became severely disabled as a result of traumatic injury.
Ann received a Masters in Education and Special Education from Boston State in 1974. Ann's 24-year track record of providing comprehensive services to young children and their families will greatly benefit the Bureau, Head Start federal staff in the Regions, and all others throughout the Head Start community.