Children First, Sarasota County's sole Head Start provider, picked up three statewide awards from the Florida Head Start Association, Scene Sarasota reported. The honors recognized two local leaders and a joint program with Sarasota County Schools.

Kathleen Sullivan, vice president of programs at Children First, was named 2026 Administrator of the Year. Sullivan's Head Start career spans nearly four decades. She started as a Head Start parent before becoming a volunteer, educator and program leader, according to Scene Sarasota.

She joined Children First in 2010 and has led programs and directed Head Start there since 2014.

Board chair Michael K. Suarez received the 2026 Humanitarian of the Year award. A Children First alumnus and former Sarasota County director of emergency services, Suarez has served on the board since 2020, according to the report. He is in his second consecutive year as chair.

The third honor went to Children First and Sarasota County Schools jointly. The two organizations were named Florida's state finalist for the Edward Zigler Innovation Award for their Cyesis Teen Parent Program. The school-embedded partnership, running since 2010, helps pregnant and parenting teens continue their education while their children receive early childhood education and family support services.

All three awards are statewide. Two have advanced further.

Sullivan's Administrator of the Year and the Zigler Innovation Award both moved beyond the state level, though accounts differ on the status. Scene Sarasota reported them as regional winners through the Region IV Head Start Association (RIVHSA). Children First said on its LinkedIn page that both awards had advanced for regional consideration at RIVHSA's annual conference in February 2027.

Children First also announced that Mental Health Services Manager Arianne Roberts and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist Christy Evans earned the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement through the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health.

The Zigler award, named after Dr. Edward Zigler, will advance to national consideration by the National Head Start Association in May 2027, according to Scene Sarasota. Brevard Public Schools Head Start and Brevard Zoo received the national version of the award in May 2026.