Head Start Health Manager Ashley Caris was named Maui Economic Opportunity
Employee of the Month with her nominator praising her for “empowering and
inspiring” her team.
“Flexible to shift in between transitions from the office to the (Head
Start) centers as needed, jumping into one role to the next, she flourishes
with lots of creative solutions to anything that is happening. (This) is
her strongest skill,” said Jeannine Gines, Head Start Family Case Manager.
Head Start Health Manager Ashley Caris was
named Maui Economic Opportunity Employee of
the Month for October.
“Always a team player and kind, she strives to keep in mind each team
member’s personality by providing empathy and respect to how each
individual will learn or complete a task but makes things universal for all
to get through the day and still remain in compliance with our program’s
values and standards,” Jeannine continued.
Ashley has been with MEO for a dozen years, hired in May 2013.
Head Start is a federal program that offers preschool to 3- and 4-year-olds
on Maui and Moloka`i at no cost to income-qualifying families. As evidenced
by the work of Ashley and Jeannine, Head Start engages with the family, not
just the child, providing referrals to community resources, parenting
education, and involvement in their child’s curriculum.
Head Start, part of MEO’s Early Childhood Services Department, operates
centers in Wailuku, Kahului, Lahaina, Makawao, Haiku, Kihei and Kaunakakai,
Moloka`i, and is licensed to enroll 180 children.
For more information about Head Start, call (808) 249-2988.
For being named Employee of the Month for October, Ashley earned a $150
check and an extra day off. Jeannine received $50 as her nominator. The
announcement was made at the staff general meeting on Nov. 21.
MEO Employee of the Month Ashley Caris (holding certificate) is shown with
(from left) Jeannine Gines, Ashley’s nominator; Debbi Amaral,
Early Childhood Services Director; and Debbie Cabebe, MEO CEO.