Three Kansas residents are among only twelve people from across the country who will be honored at the National Head Start Association conference next week in Orlando, Florida.  Dr. Placido Arturo Hoernicke, Roxanne Bell, Nutrition Specialist for Heartland Programs, and Nicholas Clayson, parent with Heartland Programs, will be presented with national awards for their work with young children and families. 

Art  Hoernicke will receive the Humanitarian of the Year Award.  He is being recognized for his work with the staff and families at USD 489 Hays Head Start.  As an individual who is bilingual and bicultural (English/Spanish), Art provides inservice training for staff members and volunteers as an interpreter for Spanish-speaking parents.  For the past five years, Art has directed the Fort Hays State University Hispanic/Latino Head Start Partnership project to provide financial support for Head Start teachers taking college classes in early childhood.

Roxanne Bell,  a registered dietitian, will receive the Support Staff of the Year Award.   In her 10 years with Heartland Programs, Roxanne has worked to improve the nutritional content of meals and reduce the percentage of childhood obesity in the program.  Through a $10,000 General Mills grant, Roxanne was able to create and implement the "Shake and Bake" family cooking program. 

Nicholas Clayson will receive the Father of the Year Award.  Nick is the father of three children, Jasmine, 13 years old, Neena, 5 years old, and Nicholas II, 4 years old.  He is recognized for his participation in home visits and volunteer work at Heartland Programs.  Nick is an active member of Heartland Programs' Fathers Club. 

The National Head Start Association will host the Scholarship and Awards Breakfast on Friday, May 1 at the Peabody Orlando hotel.  Twelve individuals from across the country will be recognized for their contributions to the Head Start community.   

The National Head Start Association is a private non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the needs of Head Start children and their families.  It represents more than 1 million children, 200,000 staff and 2,600 Head Start programs in the United States.  More information about the Association can be found on the web at www.nhsa.org.