Open menu

Arkansas Head Start and Early Head Start Programs

Please click on the county you live in to find services for your community. Click here for a cellphone friendly clickable map.

 

Message from the Collaboration Director

 

 

 

 
 

Arkansas Head Start Association/Head Start State Collaboration Office 

Union Station Building
1400 West Markham, Ste 406
Little Rock, AR 72201
Telephone: 501-371-0740/Fax: 501-370-9109

Jackie Govan, Ed.S., Collaboration Director
Cell Phone: 501-831-1153
Jacqualine Govan, Ed.S., has worked in the Early Childhood field for many years. For the past twelve years, she has served as the Collaboration Director for the Arkansas Head Start State Collaboration Office working as a liaison between local Head Start grantees, state agencies, and other early childhood organizations in the State of Arkansas. For two years, she served as the chairperson for the Governor's Arkansas Early Childhood Commission, whereby, she continues to serve on the commission. She has worked with Head Start grantees as a Mentor Coach and a Grantee Performance Support Specialist, Team Leader with the federal Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) grant. She has served as the Early Learning Reading First State Coordinator and Lead Administrator for Little Rock School District at the Chicot Early Childhood Center for two years. Mrs. Govan has worked with several contractors as a generalist and specialist in the education and disability content area in providing training/technical assistance to Early Head Start/Head Start programs in five states (Region VI). She has worked in the public schools as a principal, assistant principal, director of an Early Childhood Center, and taught in a variety of classrooms for several years. Mrs. Govan has several years of experience in working with racial equity and disparities. 
 
She received her specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock (UALR). However, her foundation for learning, understanding theory, and moving into the educational field began at Arkansas State University, whereby she received a Masters' Degree (MSE) in Educational Administration, and a bachelor's degree (BSE) in Elementary/Special Education. Jackie also received the Outstanding Award in the Teacher Education program from ASU in Jonesboro in 2016! She has served on the ASU Alumni Board and has held several positions on the executive committee for the ASU/Strong-Turner Alumni Chapter, where she is currently still a member. She is also certified in Early Childhood Education and English as a Second Language trainer. Jackie graduated from the Equity Leaders Action Network (ELAN) program with the National BUILD Initiative in 2018.
 
Jackie enjoys watching drama and suspense movies, cooking, dance aerobics, and most of all, spending quality time with her only son, Mitchell, and her grandson Reece.
 
 
 Deana Howell, Administrative Services Manager
Cell Phone: 501-269-4438
E-mail: deanah@arheadstart.org
Deana Howell, B.S., has worked for the Arkansas Head Start Association and Head Start State Collaboration Office for over 27 years. She provides support to the Collaboration Director and assists with fiscal management, website development, and meeting planning.
 
She received her Associate of Arts Degree in Administrative Services from the University of Central Arkansas. After starting work with Head Start, she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management from John Brown University and later a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
 
Deana is an avid reader, loves traveling, enjoys music of all kinds, and loves spending time with her friends and family. She is especially proud of her daughter Jaqui, who is a registered dietician.