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The Jones Family Submitted by Kristi Guest, Ph.D., Disability Services Coordinator UAB Early Head Start, Birmingham, Alabama |
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| The mission of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Early Head Start Program is to form partnerships with families to support child development and family goals. Tameka Jones and her children – Jabriel, Jamyah, and Jeremiah – are one success story that shows the value of the program and the impact it is having on the community. |  Tameka Jones and her children (l. to r.) Jabriel, Jamya, and Jeremiah |
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“The Jones family has accomplished so much – as individuals and as a
family – since joining the program,” says Fred Biasini, Ph.D., program
director. “It has truly been a pleasure having them in the program.” This year, 5-year-old Jabriel graduated from Calloway Head Start and 3-year-old twins, Jamyah and Jeremiah, graduated from UAB Early Head Start. Tameka and her children have been enrolled in the UAB Early Head Start Program since March of 1999. “Jamyah talks and understands more than she used to; Jeremiah sings, and Jabriel has more self-control,” says Tameka, who is very proud of her children’s accomplishments. “And they continue to learn and do more.” Tameka also has achieved some of her own personal goals while in the program. “She is a hard worker,” says Angela Walker, UAB Early Head Start Family Partner. “She now has her general education diploma and is working as an Avon representative. She is striving to do better for herself and her children, and it’s wonderful to see them growing as a family.” Tameka says the program has taught her that, “patience and persistence are the golden rule and the keys to success.” She most enjoys the program’s “socializations”– planned activities that allow children and families participating in the program to get together on a regular basis to visit. She also credits weekly home visits with Family Partner Angela Walker and getting help with disability services for playing a major role in her family’s success. As far as future plans, Tameka envisions even greater successes for her family. “I want to see my children graduate from high school and go to college,” she says. “As for me, I’d like to open up my own daycare that is open at night to help families that work or go to school in the evenings.” “They have come so far,” says Walker. “We are so proud of all of them–Tameka, Jamyah, Jeremiah, and Jabriel–and we wish them every continued success in their future endeavors.” |
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