By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Many newcomers to Prattville may not even know that the Boys and Girls Club once existed in a city-owned building located at 869 Jensen Road, behind Spring Hill Park.
For years, it was closed to the public, but since 2020 it has seen new life. Today it is the home of Prattville Head Start and Pre-K programs.
When the Head Start in Autaugaville lost their building around 2018, the search began for a new home. For a couple of years, the services were offered virtually.
Meanwhile, Prattville City Councilman, District 2, had been working to find a way to use the former Boys and Girls club facility, and a meeting of the minds started a plan.
“During my 2016 campaign for the city council, I made a public pledge to bring the long-shuttered Boys & Girls Club back to life. It was more than a promise—it was a personal mission. Now, with the facility occupied by Head Start and Pre-K, I view this achievement as one of many campaign promises fulfilled. Remembering that children are our future—in this community and beyond is always essential. Actual economic development begins with education,” Jackson told the EAN. “Do you need infrastructure? Yes. Parks and recreation? Yes. However, the backbone of all the successful cities and communities in our state is education. I will not waver in my pursuit to ensure that each child in this community has access and availability to quality, affordable childcare and education.”
Jackson said that in 2018, he was part of a committee to find an occupant for the building. Other committee members included Mayor Bill Gillespie, Councilor Richard Cables, Commissioner Larry Stoudemire, former assistant Police Chief Diane Thomas, Isaac Crawford, the late Elizabeth Taylor.
“I am grateful for their willingness to serve the community. We chose CDI Head Start, who, in turn, invested over $800,000 in renovations and expansions. I am proud that this once-empty building is filled with energy, laughter, and learning. It stands as a powerful symbol of what local leadership, persistence, and community-first values can achieve.”
The EAN recently visited the Head Start facility meeting with managers, staff, and touring the grounds.
We learned that families with children who qualify for the program receive all services FREE. The only thing not included is transportation. Officials said they hope to be able to expand the program over time, to bring more possibilities according to Marcia Jackson, the Regional Director of Alabama First Class Pre K.
For example, with the infant program alone, everything is free including formula and diapers. Services for Head Start and Early Head Start are offered at the Prattville facility from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
We found a very nice facility, with a 100 percent score from the Autauga County Health Department. Children were in multiple classrooms, their artwork on display. Many classes had created cards and signs thanking Jackson for his continued support of the program.
We appreciate Center Manager Kemberlyn Bailey, for taking us from room to room, which include different age groups. She doted on the staff, praising them for their attentiveness to the children. Wonderful smells were coming from the kitchen area, as we learned that staff provides two meals a day and a snack to children Monday through Friday. We were assured a lot of love goes into those meals.
Outside there are two different playground areas that have recently been upgraded.
We met with so many officials and staff, but all spoke of the success of the program, and how there is a very long waiting list for parents who want their child to attend. Officials are currently interested in finding additional locations to fill the need.
During our visit, we found was an amazing partnership of multiple agencies and individuals working together.
Shatavia Holmes is the Regional Head Start Director, Family Guidance Center of Alabama.
She explained the history of Head Start, and how it was designed to help children in poverty with education, clean food and health services.
“The mission for Head Start is that we service low-income families and the children, who otherwise would not get a ‘Head Start’. We provide services such as health screenings, developmental screenings, and nutrition.”
Holmes said they have a phenomenal parent involvement, family engagement program, which she loves the most.
“We have parent involvement twice a month in our centers, one for male involvement and one for families. We provide education. We make sure we contact our schools and liaisons to ensure that our children are school ready,” Holmes said.
The Prattville facility is one of three sites that offer Pre-K. Under the Family Guidance Center, nine counties are covered with16 centers in west and central Alabama.
Trishunda Davenport is the Regional Education Manager for Head Start Early SR program. “We provide the creative curriculum where children learn from play. They are learning. The teachers are asking them high order thinking questions to get them to think on the next level,” she said.
She said that the program also serves children with disabilities, and they do not discriminate. Within the education program, all teachers are required to have a degree in education, from CDA, Associates and Masters.
Karen Evans is the Regional Eligibility Selection Enrollment Recruitment and Attendance manager.
“For enrollment, we service the families with the biggest need. For parents, we go by their income or proof of public assistance. We service unhoused families, or families experiencing kinship or foster care,” she said. “We keep track of attendance. We let parents know how important attendance is, so when they transfer to the public school system, they are aware of the attendance policies.”
She said enrollment for the central region is at 99.61 percent. That includes 391 children, making up Early Head Start and Head Start.
Lindy Tucker is the assistant program manager and family advocate for the central region.
“Every month we do something special with our families. We do one for our families, because we want them to feel important. We do one for the whole family, and work with our pregnant mothers in the program. We have pregnancy classes for them, and it is so much fun working with them.”
Shakita Croom is also a family advocate at the Prattville center. She wears many hats but also helps with enrollment and recruitment. “We have 84 slots here, with 83 filled. We have seven classrooms, three for Head Start, four for early Head Start. We have children here from six weeks to five years of age.”
When it comes to the waiting list, Yolanda Adams is the Executive Director of the Family Guidance Center of Alabama said, “We really want to service those children on the waiting list. We are looking for another facility to house these children. We know that parents have great needs. When we had to close the Autaugaville location, a lot of those families are no longer receiving services. If we can expand here in this community, we can provide those additional services for families in need.”
Officials also talked at length about kids that transition from Head Start to elementary schools, because transitions can be very difficult. They work closely with the elementary school program to have the children meet their future teachers.
“We are also preparing those parents, about the importance of attendance. With education, you only get that if you are in school. We know families may have different barriers.” Adams said programs are in place cover many issues, including help with getting jobs for parents.
“It is important to have relationships. There are so many different sides, like social services and education. My biggest push right now is if anyone has additional locations we can talk about, we would love to talk to them. It is all about expansion. There are a lot of kids out there not getting the services they need,” Adams said.
We have asked the officials to keep us updated about future events, and any expansion plans. There are many stories to be told about the successful Head Start programs in our area.
If you have any ideas for facilities in our area that are currently available, please reach out by calling 334-310-1700.
For more information about the creation of Head Start, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_Start_(program)
As for Jackson, he said he continues to look for show the results of vision, persistence and hard work on behalf of citizens of District 2.
“This project was not only about educating children but also about putting people to work. The renovation of this building has created meaningful jobs for community members, which is a win on every level.”
